Congress Initiates Comprehensive Examination, Led by Park University, of the Systematic Exclusion of Minorities from Receiving the Medal of Honor
In August 2018, a significant task force was formed in the United States, known as the Valor Medals Review Task Force. Comprised of volunteer scholars and veterans, this group was established in conjunction with the Foundation for the Commemoration of the World Wars, on behalf of the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission.
The task force was set up to conduct a systematic review of select members of the U.S. Armed Forces who may have been denied the Medal of Honor due to race. Notably, this review focuses on minority veterans who served in World War I, a period where racial discrimination was prevalent.
Two bipartisan bills, S.1218 and H.R.2249, have been introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, respectively. These bills, sponsored by Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), J. French Hill (R-Ark.), and others, require the Department of Defense to carry out this review.
To be eligible for the review, a veteran must have received a Distinguished Service Cross and/or been recommended for a Medal of Honor or the French Croix de Guerre with palm. Additionally, the veteran must be African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic-American, Jewish-American, or Native American. Native Americans are included in this review as their World War I service predates the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924.
The "Harlem Hellfighters," a World War I regiment composed mainly of African-Americans, is one group that could potentially benefit from this review. Park University has been the driving force behind these bills, with the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War playing a crucial role in the research.
The review is being chaired by Timothy Westcott, Ph.D., and Jeffrey Sammons, Ph.D., with the latter being a professor of history at New York University. The George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War's namesake, a 1912 Park University graduate, was a white officer in the "Harlem Hellfighters" and a 1919 Medal of Honor recipient.
It is important to note that these bills waive the statute of limitations associated with any cases identified by the review, authorizing the award of a Medal of Honor to any individuals identified. As of 2025, the exact current legislative status of these bills, such as committee actions, votes, or enactment, is not readily available. Consulting the latest congressional records or official government legislative tracking sites would provide the most accurate information.
Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), Sam Graves (R-Mo.), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) are co-sponsors of the House bill, while Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) are co-sponsors of the Senate bill.
This initiative serves as a crucial step towards recognizing and honoring the sacrifices made by minority veterans during World War I, ensuring that their stories are not forgotten and their valor is duly acknowledged.
The ongoing review by the Valor Medals Review Task Force focuses on policy-and-legislation, as two bipartisan bills, S.1218 and H.R.2249, require the Department of Defense to carry out this systematic review based on politics. This review in general-news about World War I veterans aims to recognize the sacrifices made by minority veterans, especially those in the "Harlem Hellfighters," and potentially award them the Medal of Honor if they had been previously denied due to race.
