In 1965, Col Paris Davis, who is now retired, violated orders and rescued his wounded troops during an attack. After nearly 60 years, one of the first black officers in the US Army’s Special Forces will earn the Medal of Honor for his service in the Vietnam War.
The military lost his nomination for the highest combat medal during the height of the civil rights movement.
The 83-year-old was contacted by President Joe Biden to offer the good news.
“Today’s call from Vice President Biden brought back memories of the men and women with whom I served in Vietnam, from the members of the 5th Special Forces Group and other U.S. military units to the doctors and nurses who cared for our wounded,” Col Davis said in a statement released by him and his family.
The message continued,
“I am so grateful to my family and friends in the military and elsewhere who have kept alive the tale of A-team, A-321 at Camp Bong Son.”
“I often reflect on those 19 hours on June 18, 1965, and what our team accomplished to ensure that no soldier was left behind on the battlefield.”
The former Army captain disregarded his orders to abandon combat but afterward claimed he could not abandon his comrades.
Col Davis, wounded by gunfire and a grenade, returned to a rice paddy to assist Billy Waugh and Robert Brown, who was gravely wounded.
According to CBS News, a partner of the BBC in the United States, Col. Davis recounted assuring his commanding officer:
“Sir, I have no intention of leaving. There is still an American on the loose.”
Col Davis was recommended for the medal by Mr. Waugh and his commander Billy Cole.
However, the documents mysteriously disappeared twice.
Doug Sterner, a military historian, remarked that the loss of this type of nomination paper was highly unusual and uncommon.
Over the years, fellow soldiers and volunteers lobbied for Col. Davis to get the award.
Col Davis said CBS News in an interview, “When [the paperwork] was misplaced a second time, I was persuaded that this was one of those discriminatory incidents that shouldn’t have occurred, but did.”
He stated that he had encountered racism during his 23 years in the Army.
Christopher Miller, the former acting US defense secretary, ordered a review of Col. Davis’ case in January 2021.
Mr. Miller wrote in an editorial post for USA Today that “bureaucracy has a way of prolonging unfairness.”
He noted that awarding Davis the Medal of Honor at this time might not disentangle much military bureaucracy. However, it would remedy an injustice.
According to the US National Archives, more than 58 thousand American service members perished during the Vietnam War.
The White House has not yet finalized a date for the medal ceremony for Col. Davis.
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