Medal of Honor~ Finally

Last edited Tue Mar 18, 2014, 07:45 PM - Edit history (2)

President Obama presents the Medal of Honor to Army Staff Sergeant Melvin Morris, one of 24 U.S. Army veterans awarded the medal for heroic action in combat during World War II, Korea and Vietnam during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, March 18



Mary Morris helps her husband U.S. Army Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Melvin Morris, a Vietnam War veteran, with his uniform as they prepare to make their to the White House on March 18. Melvin Morris and two others are the only living soldiers who will be honored with 21 others today at the White House by President Barack Obama with the Medal of Honor. Following a congressionally mandated review to ensure that eligible recipients were not bypassed due to prejudice the veterans will receive the Medal of Honor for action during major combat operations in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War



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Obama apologized to Melvin that racism stopped him from getting the medal 44 years ago. Melvin dropped to his knees.

They were left behind and now are honored.



http://theobamadiary.com/

Melvin Morris shocked to receive Medal of Honor after 44 years



Melvin Morris was commanding a strike force on a mission near Chi Lang, South Vietnam, when his special forces group came under attack and a fellow commander was killed near an enemy bunker.

Despite massive enemy fire directed at him and his men, hitting him three times, the 72-year-old Morris told The Associated Press on Friday that he was able to get to his fallen comrade and recover the body. He also retrieved a map that included strategic information that would have been trouble if it fell into enemy hands.

More than four decades later, as a way to try to correct potential acts of bias spanning three wars, President Barack Obama will bestow the Medal of Honor on the Florida man and 23 other veterans. They come after a decade-long congressionally mandated review of minorities who may have been passed over for the U.S. military's highest honor because of long-held prejudices.

Morris became one of the first soldiers to don a "green beret" in 1961 and volunteered twice for deployments to Vietnam during the war. After his Sept 17, 1969, ordeal, the then-Staff Sgt. Morris received a Distinguished Service Cross in 1970. He said he never realized that being black might have kept the higher honor from him.

http://www.wptv.com/news/state/miami-dade/melvin-morris-shocked-to-receive-medal-of-honor-after-44-years

Racism denied. An award for valor 44 years later.




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