African American

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin wants to ensure the valorous actions of Black servicemembers receive full consideration for possible upgrade to the Medal of Honor.

In August 2021, Austin directed the Secretaries of the Military Departments to conduct a thorough review of the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, and Air Force Cross Medals previously awarded to African American and Native American veterans for valorous actions.

"It has come to my attention that African American and Native American Service Cross recipients, unlike their Asian American, Native American Pacific Islander, Jewish American and Hispanic American counterparts, did not receive the same opportunities to have their valorous actions reviewed for possible upgrade to the Medal of Honor,” Austin wrote in a memo.

https://www.legion.org/honor/254960/revisiting-valorous-actions-black-veterans

As part of the legislative agenda for the 117th Congress, The American Legion drafted a point paper calling for a review of military awards for minority veterans.