[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 102 (Monday, July 27, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1447-E1448]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO J. CAMERON WADE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 27, 1998

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to pay 
tribute to a constituent, Mr. J. Cameron Wade, better known as J.C. 
Wade of Irving, Texas who was awarded a long-awaited Bronze Star medal 
and restoration of rank for his valiant service to our country during 
World War II.
  Mr. Wade and four other African-American veterans of WWII were 
finally recognized for their heroic participation in the U.S. Army 
fighting both the scourge of segregation and Adolf Hitler. On Thursday, 
July 23rd, 1998, Mr. Wade was officially recognized for his efforts to 
halt fascism and tyranny and protect freedom for the United States and 
the entire world.
  Unfortunately, Mr. Wade's contribution to our country was overlooked 
for many years. While history recorded the service of thousands of 
soldiers, Mr. Wade and other black servicemen were literally erased 
from those annals of history. Indeed, they fought, and some died 
alongside white soldiers until the war in Europe came to a close in May 
1945.
  However, Mr. Speaker, their work was neither acknowledged or 
rewarded. After their WWII service, they did not find a warm welcome or 
gracious thanks. Instead, African-American soldiers found an Army that 
returned to the practices of segregation. Because of the Army's return 
to segregation, those African-American soldiers were refused 
restoration of their rank status. These were soldiers like Mr. Wade, a 
sergeant who volunteered to be demoted to the status of private in 
order to fight on the battlefield for his country.
  Mr. Speaker, even worse was the fact that soldiers like Mr. Wade 
found that their discharge petitions omitted their combat service. 
These warriors were truly forgotten. In addition, upon their leaving 
the service, no one bothered to inform them that the Bronze Stars were 
available to them for service in the combat infantry.
  Mr. Speaker, we all agree that Mr. Wade and his colleagues were 
directly slighted and

[[Page E1448]]

insulted. Their contributions were ignored, the Army refused to restore 
their rank and withheld information about the medals they deserve.
  As Mr. Wade said about the Army, ``When they enticed us to volunteer, 
they said that the units we were going into would be our permanent 
units when the war was over.'' However, this did not happen. Simply 
put, they were misled.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Wade endured years of misinformation and dishonesty 
by his Army, by his Government. While it is late, it is fitting that 
last Thursday, the 50th anniversary of President Truman's order to 
integrate the military, Mr. Wade was finally awarded his Bronze Star 
and had his rank restored.
  I would like to join our military in congratulating and honoring Mr. 
Wade. I join with a military that has changed for the better because 
individuals like Mr. Wade proved their worth and ability on the 
battlefield. Our servicemen and women of color can stand tall and move 
through their ranks because of people like Mr. Wade. We all offer him 
our thanks and gratitude. Most importantly, we all join our military in 
recognizing his being awarded the Bronze Star and being restored to the 
rank of sergeant.

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