During World War I (that is One) two American service men performed deeds of courage and danger to themselves-one dying of his injuries in his early 30's. It is news now because they were never given the recognition they deserved, not because of some bureaucratic snafu, but because of bigotry. Sgt William Shemin risked his life to save fellow soldiers on the front lines in France but was ignored for the Medal of Honor because he was Jewish. Pvt Henry Johnson, a member of the "Harlem Hellfighters", was ignored because he was black; he died destitute in his early 30's from his injuries. Efforts by their families and friends finally brought them the recognition they deserved 100 years ago. President Obama gave the Medal of Honor award to Shemin's daughters and Johnson's fellow NY National Guard veterans this past week in the White House. The extent and degree of our bigotry never ceases to sicken me regardless of how much of it I come across in reading American history.
(Source: "Two World War I vets receive Medal of Honor" by the AP. The Record on 6/3/15)
