海角乱伦社区 Receives $70,000 Donation from VFW for Valor Medals Review Project
Nov. 7, 2019 鈥� Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander William 鈥淒oc鈥� Schmitz presented a $70,000 donation to 海角乱伦社区 on Nov. 6 in support of the University鈥檚 research initiative into the awarding or denying of World War I military service medals based on possible racial bias.
More than 367,000 African Americans fought during World War I, yet during that time not one was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest possible military decoration awarded by the U.S. government to those distinguished by an act of conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Historians, scholars and researchers believe systematic racism may be to blame, thus prompting the University鈥檚 Valor Medal Review project.
The project is being conducted by 海角乱伦社区鈥檚 , the Valor Medals Review Task Force, and in conjunction with the Foundation for the Commemoration of the World Wars on behalf of the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission.
In September 2018, the Valor Medals Review Task Force began the arduous research task of collecting and reviewing archival records, and genealogical and descendant outreach with the goal to provide the 鈥渟tate-of-play鈥� and generate recommendations for Congress or the Department of Defense to actualize.
海角乱伦社区 pushed for legislation 鈥� included in the pending National Defense Authorization Act 鈥� which would require the Department of Defense to execute a systematic review of the valor medals awarded to African American service members, and those of other minority groups who were potentially denied medals due to racial bias.
Thus far, researchers have identified 70 African Americans, 203 Jewish Americans, 18 Native Americans, three Alaskan natives and three Hispanic Americans as recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross or the Croix de Guerre with Palm, the second highest military decoration awarded for extraordinary heroism.
鈥淭he VFW is proud to support this important initiative,鈥� said Schmitz. 鈥淭hese men served their country unequivocally and so their recognition should also come without condition or exception. We have a real opportunity to help make history right here.鈥�
鈥淲e are so grateful to the VFW for their partnership,鈥� said Greg Gunderson, Ph.D., 海角乱伦社区 president. 鈥淧ark is an institution that takes pride in our enduring relationship with the military. It is our honor and obligation to help ensure that all service members鈥� valiant acts are appropriately recognized. This significant gift from the VFW will go a long way in moving forward the historic work that is happening through the Valor Medals Review.鈥�