Watch President Obama award the Medal of Honor to 24 Army veterans LIVE FEED
On March 18th, 2014, President Barack Obama will award 24
Army veterans the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry. These
veterans will receive the Medal of Honor in recognition of their valor
during major combat operations in World War II, the Korean War and the
Vietnam War. Each of these Soldiers’ bravery was previously recognized
by award of the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest
military award; that award will be upgraded to the Medal of Honor in
recognition of their gallantry, intrepidity and heroism above and beyond
the call of duty.
In 2002, Congress, through the Defense Authorization Act, called for a
review of Jewish American and Hispanic American veteran war records
from WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, to ensure those deserving
the Medal of Honor were not denied because of prejudice. During the
review, records of several Soldiers of neither Jewish nor Hispanic
descent were also found to display criteria worthy of the Medal of
Honor. The 2002 Act was amended to allow these Soldiers to be honored
with the upgrade – in addition to the Jewish and Hispanic American
Soldiers.
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| Staff Sergeant Melvin Morris – Sergeant First Class Jose Rodela – Specialist Four Santiago J. Erevia |
World War II
Private Pedro Cano
Private Joe Gandara
Staff Sergeant Salvador J. Lara
Sergeant William F. Leonard
Master Sergeant Manuel V. Mendoza
Sergeant Alfred B. Nietzel
First Lieutenant Donald K. Schwab
Korean War
Corporal Joe R. Baldonado
Sergeant Victor H. Espinoza
Sergeant First Class Eduardo Corral Gomez
Private First Class Leonard M. Kravitz
Master Sergeant Juan E. Negron
Master Sergeant Mike C. Pena
Private First Class Demensio Rivera
Private Miguel A. Vera
Sergeant Jack Weinstein
Vietnam War
Specialist 4 Leonard L. Alvarado
Staff Sergeant Felix M. Conde-Falcon
Sergeant Ardie R. Copas
Sergeant Jesus S. Duran
Sergeant Santiago J. Erevia
Sergeant Candelario Garcia
Sergeant First Class Melvin Morris
Master Sergeant Jose Rodela
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