No African American soldier was awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II. In 1993 the Army contracted Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, to research and prepare a study "to determine if there was a racial disparity in the way Medal of Honor recipients were selected." Shaw's team researched the issue and, finding that there was disparity, recommended the Army consider a group of 10 soldiers for the Medal of Honor. Of those 10, seven were recommended to receive the award. In October of 1996 Congress passed the necessary legislation which allowed the President to award these Medals of Honor since the statutory limit for presentation had expired. The Medals of Honor were presented, by President William Clinton, in a ceremony on 13 January 1997. Vernon Baker was the only recipient still living and present to receive his award; the other six soldiers received their awards posthumously, with their medals being presented to family members.
Additional Information:
Seven Vets to Receive Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor Ceremonies for African American Veterans
CITATIONS
First Lieutenant Vernon J. Baker
Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 5 and 6 April 1945, near Viareggio, Italy. Then Second Lieutenant Baker
demonstrated outstanding courage and leadership in destroying enemy installations, personnel and equipment during his company's
attack against a strongly entrenched enemy in mountainous terrain. When his company was stopped by the concentration of fire from
several machine gun emplacements, he crawled to one position and destroyed it, killing three Germans. Continuing forward, he
attacked an enemy observation post and killed two occupants. With the aid of one of his men, Lieutenant Baker attacked two more
machine gun nests, killing or wounding the four enemy soldiers occupying these positions. He then covered the evacuation of the
wounded personnel of his company by occupying an exposed position and drawing the enemy's fire. On the following night Lieutenant
Baker voluntarily led a battalion advance through enemy mine fields and heavy fire toward the division objective. Second Lieutenant
Baker's fighting spirit and daring leadership were an inspiration to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed
Forces.
Staff Sergeant Edward A. Carter, Jr.
Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 23 March 1945, near Speyer, Germany. When the tank on which he was riding received
heavy bazooka and small arms fire, Sergeant Carter voluntarily attempted to lead a three-man group across an open field. Within a
short time, two of his men were killed and the third seriously wounded. Continuing on alone, he was wounded five times and finally
forced to take cover. As eight enemy riflemen attempted to capture him, Sergeant Carter killed six of them and captured the
remaining two. He then crossed the field using as a shield his two prisoners from which he obtained valuable information concerning
the disposition of enemy troops. Staff Sergeant Carter's extraordinary heroism was an inspiration to the officers and men of the
Seventh Army Infantry Company Number 1 (Provisional) and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
First Lieutenant John R. Fox
Citation: For extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy in the vicinity of Sommocolonia, Italy on 26 December 1944, while serving
as a member of Cannon Company, 366th Infantry Regiment, 92d Infantry Division. During the preceding few weeks, Lieutenant Fox served
with the 598th Field Artillery Battalion as a forward observer. On Christmas night, enemy soldiers gradually infiltrated the town of
Sommocolonia in civilian clothes, and by early morning the town was largely in hostile hands. Commencing with a heavy barrage of
enemy artillery at 0400 hours on 26 December 1944, an organized attack by uniformed German units began. Being greatly outnumbered,
most of the United States Infantry forces were forced to withdraw from the town, but Lieutenant Fox and some other members of his
observer party voluntarily remained on the second floor of a house to direct defensive artillery fire. At 0800 hours, Lieutenant Fox
reported that the Germans were in the streets and attacking in strength. He then called for defensive artillery fire to slow the
enemy advance. As the Germans continued to press the attack towards the area that Lieutenant Fox occupied, he adjusted the artillery
fire closer to his position. Finally he was warned that the next adjustment would bring the deadly artillery right on top of his
position. After acknowledging the danger, Lieutenant Fox insisted that the last adjustment be fired as this was the only way to
defeat the attacking soldiers. Later, when a counterattack retook the position from the Germans, Lieutenant Fox's body was found
with the bodies of approximately 100 German soldiers. Lieutenant Fox's gallant and courageous actions, at the supreme sacrifice of
his own life, contributed greatly to delaying the enemy advance until other infantry and artillery units could reorganize to repel
the attack. His extraordinary valorous actions were in keeping with the most cherished traditions of military service, and reflect
the utmost credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
Private First Class Willy F. James, Jr.
Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 7 April 1945 near Lippoldsberg, Germany. As lead scout during a maneuver to secure
and expand a vital bridgehead, Private First Class James was the first to draw enemy fire. He was pinned down for over an hour,
during which time he observed enemy positions in detail. Returning to his platoon, he assisted in working out a new plan of
maneuver. He then led a squad in the assault, accurately designating targets as he advanced, until he was killed by enemy machine
gun fire while going to the aid of his fatally wounded platoon leader. Private First Class James' fearless, self-assigned actions,
coupled with his diligent devotion to duty exemplified the finest traditions of the Armed Forces.
Staff Sergeant Ruben Rivers
Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action during the 15-19 November 1944, toward Guebling, France. Though severely wounded in
the leg, Sergeant Rivers refused medical treatment and evacuation, took command of another tank, and advanced with his company in
Guebling the next day. Repeatedly refusing evacuation, Sergeant Rivers continued to direct his tank's fire at enemy positions
through the morning of 19 November 1944. At dawn, Company A's tanks began to advance towards Bougaktroff, but were stopped by enemy
fire. Sergeant Rivers, joined by another tank, opened fire on the enemy tanks, covering company A as they withdrew. While doing so,
Sergeant River's tank was hit, killing him and wounding the crew. Staff Sergeant Rivers' fighting spirit and daring leadership were
an inspiration to his unit and exemplify the highest traditions of military service.
Captain Charles L. Thomas
Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 14 December 1944, near Climbach, France. While riding in the lead vehicle of a task
force organized to storm and capture the village of Climbach, France, then First Lieutenant Thomas's armored scout car was subjected
to intense enemy artillery, self-propelled gun, and small arms fire. Although wounded by the initial burst of hostile fire,
Lieutenant Thomas signaled the remainder of the column to halt and, despite the severity of his wounds, assisted the crew of the
wrecked car in dismounting. Upon leaving the scant protection which the vehicle afforded, Lieutenant Thomas was again subjected to a
hail of enemy fire which inflicted multiple gunshot wounds in his chest, legs, and left arm. Despite the intense pain caused by
these wounds, Lieutenant Thomas ordered and directed the dispersion and emplacement of two antitank guns which in a few moments were
promptly and effectively returning the enemy fire. Realizing that he could no longer remain in command of the platoon, he signaled
to the platoon commander to join him. Lieutenant Thomas then thoroughly oriented him on enemy gun dispositions and the general
situation. Only after he was certain that his junior officer was in full control of the situation did he permit himself to be
evacuated. First Lieutenant Thomas' outstanding heroism were an inpiration to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the
Armed Forces.
Private George Watson
Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 8 March 1943. Private Watson was on board a ship which was attacked and hit by
enemy bombers. When the ship was abandoned, Private Watson, instead of seeking to save himself, remained in the water assisting
several soldiers who could not swim to reach the safety of the raft. This heroic action, which subsequently cost him his life,
resulted in the saving of several of his comrades. Weakened by his exertions, he was dragged down by the suction of the sinking ship
and was drowned. Private Watson's extraordinarily valorous actions, daring leadership, and self-sacrificing devotion to his
fellow-man exemplify the finest traditions of military service.