The 50-year battle for seven African American heroes to receive the Medal of Honor

Written by Robert Child

© Alamy

The Medal of Honor is the highest award the US gives to its soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and coastguardsmen, bestowing it upon only a select few in the history of America’s military. However, since its creation in 1861 only a small fraction of African American soldiers have received the award, and none between 1898 and 1991. In his book Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II, Robert Child chronicles the lives and experiences of the seven African American men who, in 1997, were finally honoured for their service and bravery during World War II. We asked Child to break down some of the key history of this incredible story.

Origins of the Medal of Honor

The medal that we know today as the United States’ highest award for military valour in action, the Medal of Honor, came into being during the Civil War. In 1861 President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation proposed in Congress by Iowa Senator James W Grimes, creating the first Medals of Honor for heroic naval service actions. Congress followed up in 1862, devising the army’s first Medal of Honor specifically for “noncommissioned officers and privates who distinguished themselves by their gallant actions”. Later it grew to include officers.

The Medal of Honor has been awarded fewer than 3,500 times, and the vetting process is rigorous to assure that only the most deserving soldiers receive the coveted decoration.

Rise of discrimination

After the close of the Civil War in 1865, 25 African Americans were deemed worthy of the coveted award for their gallant actions, and six more received the medal after the Spanish-American War (1898). But as the 20th century dawned, it became a different story. It was not until 1991 that the first African American serviceman from WWI, Freddie Stowers, was awarded the Medal of Honor – 73 years after being killed in action.