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Elizabeth Davis
Special to Boonville Daily News
On Jan. 13, 1997, President Bill Clinton had the honor of presenting seven Medals of Honor, six posthumously, to African American heroes of World War II.
During World War II, 433 men were awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration for valor in combat. None of them were African American.
In 1993, the US Army commissioned an investigation into racial discrimination in the awarding of medals. It was recommended that ten black World War II veterans be awarded the Medal of Honor. Seven of them were approved, including one for Private First Class Willy James Jr. who was born in Kansas City.
DAV
By Matt Saintsing
After completing Officer Candidate School, World War II veteran Vernon Baker led troops in German-occupied Italy. His courage in spearheading an attack on an enemy stronghold resulted in him belatedly receiving the Medal of Honor. Photo credit: AP PHOTO/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW, JESSE TINSLEY, FILE
How a DAV member and courageous warrior became the first living African American World War II Medal of Honor recipient
Of the seven Black World War II Army veterans to receive the Medal of Honor in 1997, Vernon Baker was the sole survivor. More than half a century had passed between the day he led a fearless attack in German-occupied Italy to when President Bill Clinton belatedly presented Baker with the nation’s highest award for valor.