I think often of those fateful 19 hours. President Joe Biden awards the Medal of Honor to Vietnam War veteran Retired Army Col. Paris Davis at a White House ceremony on Friday morning. [36] The worldwide financial cost of the war is estimated at a trillion 1944 U.S. dollars,[37][38] making it the most costly war both in capital expenditures as well as loss of lives. [41] In China, the conflict was known as the War to Resist America and Aid Korea, but is today commonly called the "Korean War". During the Vietnam War and in the following twelve months, 234 Medals of Honor were received and since 1978 a further 32 awards have been presented. Vietnam veteran and retired Army Col. Paris Davis looks out and thanks the audience as he is applauded moments after receiving the Medal of Honor from President Joe Biden during a ceremony at the White House on Friday, March 3, 2023. The first African American recipient for this award was Robert Blake, who manned his post during a naval engagement against infantry while under heavy fire (William Harvey Carney is commonly and erroneously cited as the first African-American to receive a medal because his actions in combat did precede those of the other African-American recipients, although his physical medal was not presented until 1900). Of the total of 266 awards, 174 were to the US Army, 15 to the US Navy, 57 to the USMC and 14 to the USAF. While he braved fire from both the enemy and from amidst American air support, he ran to pick up Waugh for MEDEVAC and, according to Davis, carried him fireman style, in a hail of automatic weapon fire, to safety. Though ordered to leave the fighting, Davis answered, Sir, Im just not going to leave. (U.S. Army), Blood was everywhere, Davis, who was also an Army Ranger, recalled in an interview Thursday. Presidential Medal of Freedom, the foremost U.S. civilian decoration, awarded to individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.". Recipients CIVIL WAR (12 April 1861 - 26 May 1865) Cabell Co. native Pvt. It would take another decade until the Magrath family reconnected with the reactivated 10th Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy. Second award previously awarded a Medal of Honor for action in the Boxer Rebellion. But the enemy continued their assault, and Davis was ordered by an Air Force colonel to pull out with whatever men he could save. The idea of Davis getting the Medal of Honor was first mentioned by his comrades on the battlefield that day in 1965. Davis could tell the Green Beret was gravely wounded, but was unsure to what extent. After the Mexican-American War, the award was discontinued, which meant there was no military award with which to recognize the nation's fighting men. Answer (1 of 5): > How many Medal of Honor recipients were there in the Gulf War? In early 2021, Christopher Miller, then the acting defense secretary, ordered an expedited review of Davis case. Copyright 2023 the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation. John Allan Chapman (July 14, 1965 March 4, 2002) was a Combat Controller in the United States Air Force who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on August 22, 2018 for his actions in the Battle of Takur Ghar. Roughly 9.3% of Americans killed in Korea were African American. They were discarded because he was Black, and thats the only conclusion that I can come to.. Approaching a breach in the wall which was the only entrance to the fort, Sergeant Iams unhesitatingly jumped through the breach despite constant fire from the Cacos and engaged the enemy in a desperate hand-to-hand combat until the bastion was captured and Caco resistance neutralized. He said it wasnt the Green Beret way. [24], The United States occupation of the Mexican port of Veracruz lasted for six months in response to the Tampico Affair of April 9, 1914. They had just carried out a pre-dawn raid on a North Vietnamese army camp in the area on June 18. There are two protocols for awarding the Medal of Honor. Biden used those words to open a ceremony in the East Room to recognize Davis heroics in battle with the nations highest military honor, nearly 60 years after the retired Green Beret boldly engaged enemy troops and rescued several wounded soldiers amid a bloody fight during the Vietnam War. In the ensuing battle, two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters were shot down. The other process is through nomination by a member of Congress, usually at the request of a constituent and approved by a special act of Congress. Gordon, the sniper team leader, requested that they be inserted at the 2nd crash site. [4], The citations highlighting acts of gallantry that received the Medal of Honor have been and continue to be regularly released by book publishers. (Ron Deis), Davis got back to the wounded medic, and the frightened soldier asked Davis if he was going to die. For taking a match-lock from the hands of the enemy while advancing to the parapet, Merton was severely wounded in the arm while trying to force his way into the fort, Fighting courageously in hand-to-hand combat, Owens was badly wounded by the enemy during this action, Braving the enemy fire, Purvis was the first to scale the walls of the fort and capture their flag, Fighting courageously at the side of Lt. McKee during this action, Rogers was wounded by the enemy, Fighting at the side of Lt. McKee, by whom he was especially commended, Troy was badly wounded by the enemy, For distinguishing himself by his conduct in the presence of the enemy. Jos B. Nsperos, a member of the Philippine Scouts who was honored for continuing to fight after being wounded, was the first Asian recipient of the Medal of Honor. The war began after the American demand for Spain's peacefully resolving the Cuban fight for independence was rejected, though strong expansionist sentiment in the United States may have motivated the government to target Spain's remaining overseas territories: Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Guam and the Caroline Islands.[15]. . [32], During this war, 126 men received the Medal of Honor for their actions, including five Marines who received both the Army and Navy versions of the medal for the same action. Nineteen of the 3,511 recipients have received the medal twice. [30] Over 60 million European soldiers were mobilized from 1914 to 1918. the last surviving WWII Medal of Honor recipient dies at 98 . Unknown Soldier.[73]. [60] On June 19, 2014, Kyle Carpenter received the Medal of Honor in a ceremony at the White House. ", The president called Davis earlier this month to notify the former colonel of his award, the nation's highest military award for valor. Medal of Honor Recipients are a part of something greater. MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.-The Congressional Medal of Honor Society (the Society) welcomes Medal of Honor Recipient Paris Davis as its newest member. Only two father-son combinations have been awarded the Medal of Honor since its inception in 1863. There have been twelve awards to the U.S. Army, three to the U.S. Navy, two to the U.S. Marine Corps and one to the U.S. Air Force. The Medal of Honor is the only U.S. military award worn around the neck as opposed to being pinned on the uniform. The Medal of Honor is the most prestigious honor any U.S. Armed Services member can receive. I have to say at the outset and I've had the great honor and we have other Medal of Honor recipients here . You could smell the sweetness of blood.. Corporal. [62][63] An additional eleven living recipients have been awarded the Medal of Honor since Meyer. 5 Dennis M. Fujii, U.S. Army (2022) Sergeant First Class Christopher Celiz, U.S. Army (2021) Master Sergeant Earl Plumlee, U.S. Army (2021) Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe, U.S. Army (2021) Without air support and because he was the last soldier in the unit standing, Davis said it was his duty to find his men and get them to a medical helicopter. I am so very grateful for my family and friends within the military and elsewhere who kept alive the story of A-team, A-321 at Camp Bong Son. [24] The first medal of the war was presented to Roger Donlon for rescuing and administering first aid to several wounded soldiers and leading a group against an enemy force. Over 40 million casualties resulted, including approximately 20 million military and civilian deaths. An American feminist, suffragist, suspected spy, prisoner of war and surgeon, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker remains the only women ever to receive the Medal of Honor, which she was awarded for her service during the Civil War. Created in 1861 during the American Civil War, the Medal of Honor is the highest and most prestigious military award presented by the U.S. government to members of the armed forces. [4] As he ducked in and out of cover, Davis was shot in the arm and leg but his wounds didnt deter him. Among the recipients were Webb Hayes, the son of former U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes, and two prominent Marine Corps officers, Hiram I. Bearss and David Dixon Porter. Jacob Parrot, and five others, on March 25, 1863, for their service in the Civil War. His entire team survived. Davis, then a captain and commander with the 5th Special Forces Group, engaged in nearly continuous combat during a pre-dawn raid on a North Vietnamese army camp in the village of Bong Son in Binh Dinh province. Quote: 'America was behind me.' [2] Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously. [24], The United States occupied Nicaragua from 1909 to 1933 and intervened in the country several times before that. 8 Youngest Medal of Honor Recipients in History The Medal of Honor is the highest decoration awarded by the US Military. Our interactive database contains every Medal of Honor recipient since its initial inception in 1861. Furthermore, the onset of the Great Depression made it costly for the US to maintain occupation.[33]. It took several attempts for Davis to reach the wounded troops, constantly dodging enemy fire. In the early days of the war, United States President Harry Truman called the United Nations response a "police action". The government of Empress Dowager Cixi was not helpful, and diplomats, foreign civilians, soldiers and some Chinese Christians retreated to the legation quarter where they held out for fifty-five days until a multinational coalition rushed 20,000 troops to their rescue. After the action, Davis continued his Army career and later commanded the 10thSpecial Forces. Paris Davis poses for an official U.S. Army service photo, circa early 1960s. 6241 explicitly states that recipients must be serving in the U.S. Armed Forces at the time of performing a valorous act that warrants the award. Bearss became known for leading long-range reconnaissance patrols behind enemy lines and was later wounded as a colonel in World War I. Porter was from a distinguished military family and rose to become a major general. The ribbon is spangled with a cluster of 13 white stars representing the original States. Davis said in a statement that Biden's call "prompted a wave of memories of the men and women I served with in Vietnam from the members of 5th Special Forces Group and other U.S. military units to the doctors and nurses who cared for our wounded.". African American US Medal Of Honor Recipients During The Civil War - Part I: US Navy Published February 18, 2021 By John V. Quarstein The Medal of Honor was established in 1862 to honor soldiers and sailors who served beyond the call of duty. It is the United States' highest military decoration. After the battle, both Waugh and Daviss commanding officer wrote a recommendation for Davis to be awarded the Medal of Honor but by 1969, the paperwork had disappeared. The first United States occupation of Haiti began on July 28, 1915 and ended in mid-August 1934. Then-Capt. This will bring up your browser's "Find" function, where you can enter the last name of an individual and skip to them on the list. The conflict was then expanded by the United States, China's and the Soviet Union's involvement. The fire mission gave him an opportunity to reach one of his wounded men, though Davis had been shot at least once and been wounded by a grenade by this point. He was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2019. He was admitted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2019. Davis said there were as many as 700 enemy . Though wounded in the hand from a grenade and in the leg from enemy fire, Davis refused to leave behind two badly injured comrades, Master Sergeant Billy Waugh and Specialist 4 Robert Brown, behind. In North Korea, while commonly known as the Korean War, it is formally called the Fatherland Liberation War. [46] Thomas Bennett was a conscientious objector who received the medal for his actions as a medic;[47] three chaplains received the medal, including Vincent R. Capodanno, who served with the Marine Corps and was known as the Grunt Padre. In South Korea, the war is often called "625", or the 625 War (Korean: 625 ), from the date of the start of the conflict or, more formally, Hanguk Jeonjaeng literally "Korean War". As they monitored the downing of the second Blackhawk, it became evident that ground forces would not be available to secure the crash site and protect the critically injured crew of four, all of whom survived the crash. "Sir, I'm just not going to leave. William Swenson, who received the nation's highest award for valor in. It wasnt until just a few years ago that it regained traction, due to people who knew of Davis heroism such as fellow soldier Ron Deis and lobbied top Pentagon officials. [45] Riley L. Pitts was killed after attacking an enemy force with rifle fire and grenades and was the first African American commissioned officer of the war to receive the medal. "But you know what Captain Davis said after learning he would finally receive the Medal of Honor? The first recipients of the Medal of Honor were the men known collectively as Andrews' Raiders, who led a daring military mission behind Confederate lines to steal a train, escape north in order to destroy rail lines supplying the Confederate Army. It is presented by the U.S. President in name of the Congress to an individual who distinguished themself conspicuously by gallantry and bravery at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Her medal was rescinded in 1917 along with many other non-combat awards, but it was restored by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. When asked in 1969 about the racial aspect of military service in the 1960s, Davis recalled, In the dark, brown is just as black or white as anyone else.. [31] The immediate cause of the war was the June 28, 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb citizen of Austria-Hungary and member of the Black Hand. However, the Medal of Honor has been presented to five First World War unknown soldiers of allied countries: the British Unknown Warrior in the United Kingdom by General Pershing on October 17, 1921; the Romanian Unknown Soldier, the French Unknown Soldier (entombed under the Arc de Triomphe), the Belgian Unknown Soldier, and the Italian Unknown Soldier (entombed in the Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II). For saving many lives as a medic during a number of vicious firefights. To date, there have been 3,473 Medals of Honor awarded. The warring Samoan parties were supplied with arms, training and sometimes even combat troops by Germany, Britain and the United States. Smedley Butler served 34 years as a Marine, where he fought in the Phillippine-American War, the Mexican Revolution and WWI. Additionally, you can jump to the letter of the alphabet that their last name starts with . Waugh recovered from his wounds and continued in the U.S. Special Forces. Youre just trying to get through that moment.. Cuando utilizas nuestros sitios y aplicaciones, usamos. In total 63 Medals of Honor were received for actions during the occupation; 1 Army, 9 to members of the United States Marine Corps and 53 to Navy personnel.[24]. These adjustments help to make sure that the purchasing power of your benefits keeps up with inflation. African American Korean War Medal of Honor Recipients An estimated 600,000 African Americans served in the armed forces during the Korean War (1950 to 1953). Retired Army Col. Paris Davis, one of the first Black officers to lead a Special Forces team in combat, is set to receive the Medal of Honor for his service in the Vietnam War at the White House . For other medals, see, United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914, near Constancia, near Coco River, northern, The PhilippineAmerican War is usually known as the, Official military histories in Commonwealth nations refer to the conflict as the Second World War, while the United States' official histories refer to the conflict as World War II. Four of the awards were posthumous. "Paris helped write the history of our nation. The United States occupied the Dominican Republic from 1916 to 1924. The most recent Medal of Honor was given posthumously to Army Spc. The term "Vietnam Conflict" is often used to refer to events which took place between 1959 and April 30, 1975. [49], Since the end of the Vietnam War, also known as the Vietnam Conflict and Second Indochina War,[51][52] the United States was involved in a number of smaller conflicts during the end of the Cold War, including in Grenada, Panama, and elsewhere. This article is about the recipients of the U.S. medal. Cpl. Were here to celebrate the fact that he got the award, long time coming, Maj. Gen. Patrick Roberson, deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, told the AP. For his actions on June 18, 1965, Davis was awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. Davis called for artillery fire support despite being what's known as "danger close" to the target, with rounds landing within 100 feet of his own position. He has many years of experience in journalism, digital media and broadcasting and holds a degree from the University of Utah. 6241), beginning in 1918, explicitly states that recipients must be serving in the U.S. Armed Forces at the time of performing a valorous act that warrants the award, exceptions have been made. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe and Army Sgt. The incident came in the midst of poor diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United States, related to the ongoing Mexican Revolution. These three powers valued Samoa as a refueling station for coal fired shipping. The uprising began as a xenophobic, anti-foreign, nationalist peasant-based movement in northern China. Use the search bar to filter and sort the database by first name, last name, service branch, and conflict. Since 1900, only four have been awarded to Canadians. Gordon and Shughart were part of a sniper team for Delta Force that was assigned to watch over the operation, engaging targets from their position in the Blackhawk. Many of the Medals were awarded posthumously, in recognition of a life cut short. U.S. law affords a deceased Medal of Honor recipient the same burial honors as a military member who is killed on active duty. In addition, these countries sought to gain more power in Europe and wanted Samoa due to the scarcity of unclaimed territory from 1870 onwards. The Medal of Honor was established by a joint resolution of Congress in July 1862, and was first issued during the Civil War. There have been 19 double Medal of Honor recipients. [44] The first African American recipient of the war was Milton L. Olive, III who sacrificed himself to save others by smothering a grenade with his body. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin smiles as retired Army Col. Paris Davis walks beside President Joe Biden upon arriving for a White House ceremony in which Biden presented Davis the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Vietnam nearly 58 years ago. According to Durant's account, 25 Somalis were killed and many more were wounded. English translations of the official histories of other nations tend to resolve into English as Second World War also, for example. Another Vietnam recipient was New York Irish-American Robert Emmet O'Malley. Loading results. Entered service at: Newark, N.J. .and what our team did to make sure we left no man behind on that battlefield., On March 3, 2023, President Joe Biden will awarded Colonel Paris Davis (retired), with the Med of Honor at the White House. File video above: Biden awards four Medals of Honor for Vietnam heroism. Four of these were for Army personnel, twenty-two went to navy sailors and the remaining thirty-three went to Marines. And we have five here. [8], While current law, (10U.S.C. Reinforcements eventually arrived, allowing Davis, the three Americans and the surviving South Vietnamese soldiers to escape to safety. Sixty-one Canadians who were serving in the United States Armed Forces have received the Medal of Honor; most received it for actions in the American Civil War. Leroy Petry; Army Sgt. The Medal of Honor is the highest medal of valor in battle awarded by the United States to the men and women of the Armed Forces. Served under the name "Truesdale" before officially changing name to "Truesdell" on 25 July 1942. The most common is a service member submits a nomination through the chain of command. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images And he is the only Marine to earn the Brevet Medal and two medals of honor, for separate actions. One of those is the Unknown Soldier who rests in the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington Cemetery. . Over 60 million people, the majority of them civilians, were killed, making it the deadliest conflict in human history. The President, in the name of Congress, has awarded more than 3,400 Medals of Honor to our nation's bravest Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen since the decoration's creation in 1861. He sure as hell deserves it now. Over the decades, his brothers in arms and many others fought for Davis to be recognized for his bravery. The other five recipients were Staff Sergeant David Bellavia, Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins, Corporal Jason Dunham of the Marine Corps, Specialist Ross A. McGinnis of the Army and Master-at-Arms Second Class Michael A. Monsoor of the U.S. Navy. After a successful raid on a Viet Cong regimental headquarters, Davis and his men came under attack. President Joe Biden awards the Medal of Honor to Vietnam War veteran Retired Army Col. Paris Davis at a White House ceremony on Friday morning. [67] Seven service members have received the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq; five from the Army, one from the Marine Corps and one from the Navy. [71] Three explorers were also presented with the medal by special acts of Congress. She grew up in Oswego, New York, raised by her progressive parents along with her six brothers and sisters. The members of the Society of Right and Harmonious Fists were simply called boxers by the Westerners due to the martial arts and calisthenics they practiced. That moment lasted nearly 19 hours and stretched over two days in mid-June 1965. I think thats most important, to just look ahead and think about how exciting it is for America to meet my dad for the first time. [12] During this conflict the Medal of Honor was presented to 426 soldiers, 13 posthumously for acts of bravery and gallantry in combat. Copyright 2023 the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation President and CEO, Chris Cassidy Releases statement ahead of tomorrows National Observance for Veterans Day, Vietnam Veteran Recieves Medal of Honor, March 3, 2023, Medal of Honor Recipients from the Battle of Guadalcanal. Public domain photo via Wikipedia. Para obtener ms informacin sobre cmo utilizamos tus datos personales, consulta nuestra Poltica de privacidad y Poltica de cookies. Rigg continued his research and found 27 service members were given the Medal of Honor on Iwo Jima seven for actions similar to Jackson's. Of the seven Medal of Honor recipients who jumped . But by time the sun came up, they found themselves under full enemy attack and were trying to evade a constant barrage of bullets and artillery. . For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy. Colonel Davis was, As America prepares to observe Veterans Day, Chris Cassidy, President and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, released the below statement: On. After Davis left military service as a colonel in 1985, he went on to publish a small newspaper, the Metro Herald, in his home state of Virginia, where he still lives. Second award previously awarded a Medal of Honor for action in the Mexican Campaign. Riots in Havana by pro-Spanish "Voluntarios" gave the United States reason to send in the warship USSMaine. The other process is through nomination by a member of Congress, usually at the request of a constituent and approved by a special act of Congress. But, like him, she said she tries not to dwell on her disappointment in how the situation was handled. U.S. Army Fort Benning and The Maneuver Center of Excellence Charles Lindbergh received the medal for flying the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. The Medal of Honor is awarded to any military servicemember who "distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty," according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Arthur and Douglas MacArthur and Theodore Roosevelt and Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., were awarded this signal of honor for their gallant efforts dating from the Civil War through World War II. Assisted in capturing the Korean flag from the citadel of the fort, For hand-to-hand combat and saving the life of Alexander McKenzie, Returned to duty after being wounded several times, Carrying out his duties with coolness, Grace set forth gallant and meritorious conduct throughout this action, Serving as color bearer of the battalion, Hayden planted his flag and protected it under heavy fire, Fighting the enemy inside the fort, Lukes received a severe cut over the head. When youre fighting, youre not thinking about this moment, Davis said. Eventually, the United States failed to secure its objectives. [7], The first Army Medal of Honor was awarded to Private Jacob Parrott during the American Civil War for his role in the Great Locomotive Chase. The sun had only just begun to rise on June 18, 1965, when Davis and the three Green Berets under his command were pinned down by relentless enemy fire. The first began in Asia in 1937 as the Second Sino-Japanese War; the other began in Europe in 1939 with the German and Russian invasion of Poland. But they are also unique. [9] In the Vietnam War, Peter C. Lemon was the only Canadian-born recipient of the Medal of Honor. But with all the decorations and accomplishments, Davis is also known for his humility. Rear Adm. Norman Scott, USN Rear Adm. Daniel J. Callaghan, USN BM1 Reinhardt J. Keppler, USN Rear Adm. Bruce McCandless, USN Rear Adm. Herbet E. Through education, leadership, and inspiring spaces for learning and reflection, the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation preserves and expands the impact of the 3,515 award recipients and the more than 40 million Americans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces since the Civil War. Also a total of 21 (4.5% of all World War II Medals of Honor) were awarded to members of the all-Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions in numerous battles across six different campaigns. Mar 03, 2023, 12:59 ET. One recipient, Adolphus W. Greely, received his for a lifetime of military service. This action by the U.S. indicated high national interest. Recipients of the award are selected by the president of the . Awards Conflicts. Sir, Im just not going to leave, was Davis response, Biden said. He said he knew Davis had been recommended for the Medal of Honor shortly after the battle in 1965 and he spent years wondering why Davis hadnt been awarded the medal. Medal of Honor. Subsequent reforms implemented after the crisis of 1900 laid the foundation for the end of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the modern Chinese Republic. Among other privileges, Medal of Honor recipients receive invitations to attend presidential inaugurations and accompanying festivities. Davis was among the first Black Special Forces officers, despite efforts to dissuade his service, Biden said at the ceremony. [23], During the Boxer rebellion, 59 American servicemen received the Medal of Honor for their actions. Tension among the American people was raised because of the explosion of USS Maine, and "yellow journalism" - sensationalist reporting that exposed Spains extensive atrocities, agitating American public opinion. Will more minority veterans receive the Medal of Honor? Twice his nominating paperwork a package documenting a recipients worthiness for the award was lost at the Pentagon somewhere during the process. He will be presented with the Medal of Honor nearly sixty years after his heroic actions during the Vietnam War. Davis used his pinkie finger to fire his rifle after his hand was shattered by an enemy grenade, according to reports. There was a time in history that the United States was divided. I still have an American out there., Then-Capt. MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., March 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Congressional Medal of Honor Society welcomes Medal of Honor Recipient Paris Davis as its newest member. I believe that someone purposely lost the paperwork, Ron Deis, a junior member of Davis team in Bong Son, told the AP in a separate interview. Two African Americans were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Korean War. Biden underscored the fact that shortly after Paris left Vietnam, under the scourge of America's ongoing racial discrimination, paperwork for Col. Davis' medal of honor went unprocessed twice.