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Beyond the Call of Duty
The Medal of Honor was created in 1862 to recognize enlisted soldiers who "distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action and other soldier-like qualities." It is the highest military award for acts beyond the call of duty. Sixteen African American men earned the award in the Civil War. During the Indian Wars, 18 more black men received the Medal of Honor and many others the Certificate of Merit. After five Buffalo Soldiers earned the Medal of Honor for valor in the Spanish American War, no other African Americans would receive the medal until the Korean War, when two soldiers were posthumously honored. In 1997, President Clinton presented the Medal of Honor to seven Black soldiers for gallantry in World War II -- only one recipient was still alive.
The selfless acts of privates William H. Thompkins, Fitz Lee, Dennis Bell, and George Wanton during the Spanish American War exemplify black valor. In the face of over-whelming enemy fire, these men voluntarily rescued wounded U.S. and Cuban comrades from a beach in Cuba. Each received the Medal of Honor. Sergeant Thompkins is buried at San Francisco National Cemetery along with 450 other Buffalo Soldiers. |