Nearly 60 years after he was first recommended for the nation’s highest award for bravery during the Vietnam War, retired Col. Paris Davis, one of the first Black officers to lead a Special Forces team in combat, will receive the prestigious Medal of Honor on Friday.
The overdue recognition for the 83-year-old Virginia resident comes after his recommendation for the medal was lost, resubmitted — and then lost again.
“Right now I’m overwhelmed,” he told The Associated Press in an interview the day before he attends a White House ceremony where President Joe Biden will hang the blue ribbon holding the Medal of Honor around Davis’ neck. Davis repeatedly sprinted into an open rice paddy to rescue each member of his team, according to the ArmyTimes. His entire team survived. Davis refused to leave the battlefield until his men were safely removed.
“It’s just the antithesis of that,” he said. “It heightens the thing, if you’ve got to wait that long … It’s like someone promised you an ice cream cone. You know what it looks like, what it smells like. You just haven’t licked it.” Deis, now 79, helped compile the recommendation that was submitted in 2016. 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 hadn’t been awarded the medal. Nine years ago he learned that a second nomination had been submitted “and that also was somehow, quote, lost.”
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nearly 60 years later, Black Vietnam vet to receive Medal of HonorParis Davis repeatedly sprinted into an open rice paddy to rescue each member of his team, according to the ArmyTimes. His entire team survived. Davis refused to leave the battlefield until his men…
Read more »
Black Vietnam vet at last getting his due: Medal of HonorAn 83-year-old Vietnam veteran is at long last getting his due
Read more »
Black Vietnam vet at last getting his due: Medal of HonorWASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 60 years after he was first recommended for the nation’s highest award for bravery during the Vietnam War, retired Col. Paris Davis, one of the first Black officers to lead a Special Forces team in combat, will receive the prestigious Medal of Honor on Friday.
Read more »
Black Vietnam vet at last getting his due: Medal of HonorNearly 60 years after he was first recommended for the nation’s highest award for bravery during the Vietnam War, retired Col. Paris Davis, one of the first Black officers to lead a Special Forces team in combat, will receive the prestigious Medal of Honor on Friday. It wasn't until 2016 — half a century after Davis risked his life to save some of his men by fighting off the North Vietnamese — that a volunteer group of advocates painstakingly recreated and resubmitted the paperwork. “Right now I'm overwhelmed,” he told The Associated Press in an interview the day before he attends a White House ceremony where President Joe Biden will hang the blue ribbon holding the Medal of Honor around Davis' neck.
Read more »
Black Vietnam Vet At Last Getting His Due: Medal Of HonorThe overdue recognition for 83-year-old retired Col. Paris Davis comes after his recommendation for the medal was lost, resubmitted — and then lost again.
Read more »
Biden to award Medal of Honor to Vietnam Vet who rescued teamPresident Biden will award the Medal of Honor to a Black Vietnam War veteran who twice disobeyed orders to abandon his team, ultimately rescuing each member, the White House announced Wednesday.
Read more »