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THE WHITE HOUSE, 13 January 1997 -- To correct a record of racial prejudice that lasted more than fifty years, President William Jefferson Clinton today awarded seven African-American veterans of World War II our nation's highest military award, the Medal of Honor. Five of the Medals were award posthumously to. The awardees are:

Charles L. Thomas
1st Lieutenant
Detroit MI, died 1980

Edward A. Carter Jr
Staff Sergeant
Los Angeles CA, died 1963

George Watson
Private
Birmingham AL, Killed in Action

John R. Fox
1st Lieutenant
Cincinnati OH, Killed in Action

Ruben Rivers
Staff Sergeant
Hotulka OK, Killed in Action

Vernon Baker, 77
2nd Lieutenant
St. Maries IA

Willy F. James Jr
Private First Class
Kansas City MO, Killed in Action

Of the six WW2 soldiers, Lt. Baker, who served with the 370th Infantry Regiment of the 92nd Infantry Division, was alone veteran to accept the Honor. The other six men are deceased. Their relatives attended the ceremony.

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Lt. Baker said in a CNN interview after the ceremony, "This day will vindicate those men and make things right." President Clinton said, "They helped America to become more worthy of them and more true to its ideals."

Lt. Baker received his award for heroism in April 1945. During a fierce engagement against German forces Lt. Baker destroyed four Nazi machine gun nests and killed nine enemy soldiers using his gun and hand grenades. Many of his comrades during the battle were killed after running out of ammunition. The supplies and reinforcements they desperately needed never arrived.

Attending the ceremony in the East Room of the White House were William Perry, Secretary of Defense, Colin Powell, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and current JCS Chairman John Shalikashvili.

Historical notes:

1.2 million African-Americans served in World War II

most blacks were relegated by whites to perform menial support tasks

the military was de-segregated by President Truman after the war

Despite many battlefield decorations, no blacks were awarded the Medal of Honor

432 Medals of Honor were awarded for WW2

A Description Of The Action

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On April 5, 1945, an all-black platoon of 25 soldiers led by a white Captain, John F. Runyon, was ordered to storm a Nazi-held stronghold. As they started their attack the German shelled the platoon with artillery fire and strafed the Americans with machine-gun fire.

In the ensuing attack Captain Runyon left the engagement with the platoon radio officer to obtain supplies and reinforcements. Lieutenant Baker continued the assault, destroying three German machine-gun nests, one bunker and one artillery observation post. In the course of action he killed several German soldiers.

After a valiant effort to overcome the German stronghold Lt. Baker was forced to withdraw with seven other survivors because Captain Runyon had not returned with help. During his necessary retreat lt. Baker knocked out two more Nazi machinegun nests using his remaining grenades.

Decades later, a team of military historians examining the action concluded that white racism and segregation were the reasons why the seven men of Baker's platoon were not awarded the Medal of Honor. The Army's Senior Officer Awards Board recommended all seven men should receive the Medal of Honor.

The President's remarks

Medal of Honor Citations, All Wars

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