Obama bestows Medal of Honor on 2 World War I veterans who may have faced discrimination
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President Barack Obama is awarding the Medal of Honor to two World War I U.S. Army soldiers who may have been denied the top military honor in the past due to discrimination.
Correcting a long ago wrong, Obama posthumously recognized Sgt. William Shemin, a Jewish soldier, and Pvt. Henry Johnson, an African American serviceman, for their heroism nearly a century ago.
Obama says "they both risked their own lives to save the lives of others." And he adds: "It's never too late to say thank you."
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Shemin's two daughters, Elsie and Ina, received the award on behalf of their father. New York National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Louis Wilson accepted the medal on Johnson's behalf.