III

104TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. RES. 230

To urge the President to announce at the earliest opportunity the results

of the Senior Army Decorations Board which reviewed certain cases

of gallantry and heroism by black Americans during World War II.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

FEBRUARY 29 (legislative day, FEBRUARY 28), 1996

Mr. INHOFE (for himself, Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN, and Mr. WARNER) submitted

the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

To urge the President to announce at the earliest opportunity

the results of the Senior Army Decorations Board which

reviewed certain cases of gallantry and heroism by black

Americans during World War II.

Whereas black Americans served in the Armed Forces during

World War II with heroism and distinction, often giving

their lives to ensure United States victory in that war;

Whereas prevailing attitudes in the Armed Forces at that

time often prevented appropriate recognition of the distinguished service of black Americans, particularly service

meriting the award of the medal of honor;

Whereas in May 1993, the Secretary of the Army convened

a study to review the processes and procedures used by

the Department of the Army in awarding medals during
2

•SRES 230 ATS

World War II in order to determine whether racial bias

and procedural violations resulted in medals not being

awarded to black American members of the Army for

their acts of distinguished or heroic service in that war;

Whereas the study recommended the review of the distinguished acts of 10 black American members of the Army

in World War II in order to determine whether to recommend that the medal of honor be awarded to such

members for such acts;

Whereas pursuant to subsection (d) of section 3744 of title

10, United States Code, the President may award a

medal of honor to a person qualified for the medal, notwithstanding that the time for awarding the medal has

otherwise expired under such section;

Whereas the award of the medal of honor to black Americans

recommended by the Senior Army Decorations Board

would reverse a past injustice; and

Whereas many family members, colleagues, and comrades of

such black Americans, and a grateful Nation, have

sought for more than 50 years proper and appropriate

recognition for the distinguished actions of such black

Americans: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the Senate—

2 (1) commends the Secretary of the Army for

3 convening a study to review the processes and proce4 dures used by the Department of the Army in

5 awarding medals for service in World War II in

6 order to determine whether racial bias and proce7 dural violations resulted in medals not being award-
3

•SRES 230 ATS

1 ed to black American members of the Army for their

2 acts of distinguished or heroic service in that war;

3 (2) commends the Senior Army Decorations

4 Board for convening to review cases pertaining to

5 certain black American members of the Army for

6 their acts of conspicuous gallantry in that war; and

7 (3) urges the President, pursuant to section

8 3744(d) of title 10, United States Code, to endorse

9 the recommendations of the Senior Army Decora10 tions Board and bring to a close the long struggle

11 for appropriate recognition of our heroic black

12 American patriots.

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