Updated: 2:30 PM EDT April 27, 2021
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. The Medal of Honor is the United States government s highest and most prestigious military decoration.
It is awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
A select few have received the Medal. Very select. And very few.
In fact, dating back to 1863, of 3,526 Medals of Honor that have been awarded to 3,507 people, just 92 Medals have ever gone to African Americans. I m not stating anything new, this has been stated by the armed forces, that, racism, right up through Vietnam, has played a significant role in preventing due recognition of deeds of valor by African Americans that are worthy of the Medal of Honor, said Ed Lengel, Chief Historian for the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas.