[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 98 (Friday, June 28, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7277-S7278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    THE AWARD OF THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR TO SEVEN AFRICAN-
           AMERICANS WHO SERVED IN COMBAT DURING WORLD WAR II

  Mr. NUNN. Mr. President, the national defense authorization bill 
under consideration by the Senate contains a very special provision 
that, once enacted, will clear the way for the President to award the 
Medal of Honor to seven African-Americans who served their Nation with 
the utmost distinction in combat during World War II.
  Pvt. George Watson of Birmingham, AL, was on board a ship which was 
attacked by enemy bombers. When the ship was abandoned, Private Wilson 
remained and assisted several soldiers who could not swim to reach the 
safety of a liferaft. This heroic action subsequently cost him his life 
but resulted in saving the lives of his comrades.
  Capt. Charles L. Thomas of Detroit, MI, though grievously wounded 
when his scout car was subjected to intense enemy artillery, self-
propelled gun, and small arms fire, directed the emplacement of two 
antitank guns to return enemy fire. Only after he was certain that a 
subordinate was in full control of the situation did he permit himself 
to be evacuated.
  S.Sgt. Ruben Rivers of Oklahoma City, OK, though severely wounded 
when his tank hit a mine, refused medical treatment, took command of 
another tank, and advanced to the objective. Repeatedly refusing 
evacuation, Sergeant Rivers continued to direct his tank fire at enemy 
positions through the next day until he was killed by the enemy.
  S.Sgt. Edward A. Carter, Jr., of Los Angeles, CA, while attempting to 
lead a three-man group was wounded five times and finally was forced to 
take cover. As eight enemy riflemen attempted to capture him, Sergeant 
Carter killed six of them and captured the remaining two.
  First Lieutenant John R. Fox of Cincinnati, OH, and some other 
members of his observer party voluntarily remained on the second floor 
of a house to direct defensive artillery fire while the majority of 
U.S. forces withdrew in the face of overwhelming numbers. As the 
Germans continued to press the attack toward the area that he occupied, 
he adjusted the artillery fire into his own position knowing that this 
was the only way to stop the enemy attack. Lieutenant Fox's body was 
later found along with the bodies of approximately 100 German soldiers.
  First Lieutenant Vernon J. Baker, of Cheyenne, WY, destroyed enemy 
installations, personnel, and equipment during his company's attack 
against a strongly entrenched enemy in mountainous terrain. When his 
company was stopped by the concentrated fire from several machinegun 
emplacements, he destroyed three machinegun nests and an enemy 
observation post. He then covered the evacuation of the wounded 
personnel of his company by occupying an exposed position and drawing 
the enemy's fire.
  Pfc. Willy F. James, Jr., of Kansas City, KS, as lead scout was the 
first to draw enemy fire. After being pinned down for over an hour, he 
returned to his platoon, and led a squad in the assault, accurately 
designating targets as he advanced, until he was killed by enemy 
machinegun fire while going to the aid of his fatally wounded platoon 
leader.
  These seven heroes have many things in common: their selfless 
dedication to their comrades, their unwillingness to give up despite 
overwhelming odds, their leadership in the face of certain death, and 
their race.
  A study, commissioned in 1993 by the Acting Secretary of the Army to 
review the Medal of Honor processing procedures as applied to African-
American soldiers in World War II, revealed that no African-American 
soldier was recommended for the Medal of Honor for service in World War 
II.
  Concluding, in part, that this was reflective of the national racial 
climate

[[Page S7278]]

and the use of African-American soldiers in World War II, the study 
recommended that 10 African-Americans be considered for the award of 
the Medal of Honor.
  The Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of Defense, and the 
President recommended legislation that would permit the award of the 
Medal of Honor to the seven heroes I previously mentioned.
  This marks the end of a long journey for these seven men--six of whom 
who have died before they could realize this great honor.
  It is not the end of a journey, however, for our military services as 
they continue to lead the Nation in matters of equal opportunity, 
elimination of racial and gender discrimination, and creation of an 
environment that is, in fact, based on individual merit and 
performance.
  I have always been proud of the way our military services were able 
to recognize the importance of eliminating discrimination and 
prejudice. I have always been proud of the tremendous efforts that have 
been made and that will continue to be made in this area.
  Surely, 100-percent success has yet to be achieved, but the U.S. 
military is clearly a beacon lighting the way for the rest of the 
Nation.
  So, too, today I am proud of what these heroes have done. But I am 
also proud of how we as a nation can look back into our history and, 
seeing something that just is not quite right, can and will fix it.
  I regret that six of our seven heroes are no longer with us. I hope 
and pray that their families and loved ones will realize the 
significance of what these courageous men accomplished and permit our 
Nation to honor them in this way.
  Mr. President, I thank the Chair. I yield the floor.
  Mrs. KASSEBAUM addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Kansas.
  Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as if 
in morning business for 5 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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