Jan 7, 2025 Story by: Editor
Two Black veterans who displayed extraordinary heroism during their military service have recently received the Congressional Medal of Honor, a recognition that honors their selflessness and bravery in the face of adversity.
Waverly B. Woodson Jr. and Paris Davis both faced significant obstacles in having their remarkable feats acknowledged, but decades later, their courageous actions were finally recognized.
Waverly B. Woodson Jr.: Heroism on D-Day
Waverly B. Woodson Jr. was part of the only African American combat unit involved in the D-Day invasion during World War II. He spent over a day treating wounded soldiers under intense German fire, all while nursing injuries himself. Despite facing a segregated U.S. military, Woodson’s contributions went unrecognized for years.
In a ceremony that honored his bravery, Woodson’s 95-year-old widow, Joann, received the Distinguished Service Cross on his behalf. “It’s been a long, long road … to get to this day,” said Woodson’s son, Steve. He added, “My father, if he could have been here today, would have been humbled.”
Woodson’s supporters, including his family and Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, continue to advocate for him to be awarded the Medal of Honor — a distinction long denied to many Black troops who served in World War II.
Van Hollen, who learned of Woodson’s story after Joann reached out nearly a decade ago, emphasized that Woodson’s valor stood out. “There was only one thing that stood between Woodson and the country’s highest military honor, and that was the color of his skin,” said Van Hollen during the ceremony.
Woodson’s role on D-Day involved setting up balloons to deter enemy planes, but he was wounded as his unit was hit by German artillery before even reaching the beach. Despite the pain, Woodson treated 200 wounded men for over 30 hours before collapsing from his injuries. For his bravery, he was awarded the Bronze Star.
Paris Davis: The Delayed Medal of Honor
Retired Colonel Paris Davis also received his long-overdue Medal of Honor in a ceremony at the White House. Davis, one of the first Black officers to lead a Special Forces team in combat, earned the honor for his acts of bravery during the Vietnam War.
Davis, who was originally recommended for the Medal of Honor more than 50 years ago, had his paperwork lost twice. It wasn’t until 2016 that his supporters, after painstaking research, resubmitted the recommendation. Davis had been recognized for risking his life to save his men during a firefight in 1965, but the recognition had been delayed for decades.
President Joe Biden, who awarded Davis the Medal of Honor, called him a “true hero” for his actions in the field. Davis, who had been wounded during the battle, refused to leave the battlefield, even when ordered to do so. He later returned to rescue a fellow soldier. “I’m just not going to leave. I still have an American out there,” Davis told his superior, a statement that highlighted his courage and selflessness.
Davis, now 83, retired in 1985 as a colonel. Despite the delay in receiving the recognition, he remained humble about the honor. “Right now I’m overwhelmed,” Davis said. “When you’re fighting, you’re not thinking about this moment. You’re just trying to get through that moment.”
The delayed recognition for both Woodson and Davis underscores a troubling history of racial injustice within the military, where Black soldiers were often overlooked despite their heroism. Both men’s stories serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of acknowledging and celebrating all heroes, regardless of their race.
Davis’ daughter, Regan Davis Hopper, shared that she only learned of her father’s heroism in 2019. Though disappointed by how the situation was handled, she remained proud of her father’s legacy. “I’m just proud of him,” she said.
Together, Woodson and Davis represent the bravery and sacrifice of Black veterans whose efforts in service were long ignored — but are now finally receiving the recognition they deserve. Sources: AP News & AP News
