Remembering the Past: Honoring the Sacrifices of Those Overlooked by Social and Gender Discrimination
Remembering the Past: Honoring the Sacrifices of Those Overlooked by Social and Gender Discrimination
World War II was one of the bloodiest conflicts in world history, and it took the entire strength of the nation for America to endure. To pay tribute to those who served, the United States government issued many medals commemorating the sacrifices endured. Due to racial and gender presumptions at the time, however, many contributions of blacks and women were ignored. As history continues to unfold, the past is being re-examined.
Many medals of America and World War II medals are being re-issued to commemorate those who have been forgotten.
No African American soldiers, for example, were issued the Medal of Honor during World War II. A study in 1993 by Shaw University concluded there was great racial disparity in those who were honored with medals during World War II. The university recommended 10 African Americans with exceptional service be given the Medal of Honor. Of those 10, seven were chosen for the award. President Clinton in 1997 bestowed the award on Vernon Baker, the only one of the seven still living. The other six had awards posthumously presented to their families as tributes to the sacrifice they gave their country.
Vernon was awarded for showing outstanding bravery and leadership in destroying enemy positions during his company’s attack in highly mountainous ranges.
Women who served in World War II, sometimes as pilots running non-military missions so the men could fight, are also being considered for medals of America and wwii medals posthumously as tributes to their bravery and service. Known as the WASPS, the Women Air Force Service Pilots piloted routine missions during World War II. Their service worked to lift the ban on women attending flight-training classes in the 1970s. Today, women pilots can fly combat missions as well as the Space Shuttle.
U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison has introduced a bill to award the 1,102 WASPS or their surviving family members the Congressional Gold Medal. 38 died while performing their duty.
The more we recognize the forgotten, the more we give tribute to those who served, even if they didn’t have an equal access to the freedoms they so valiantly fought for. All military personnel need to be remembered for their service, whether they be black or Japanese-American, woman or man. Even if it’s a little late, it’s noble to offer honor and tribute to their sacrifice.
Posts
