Park University's George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War to Disclose Information on the Progress of the Valor Medals Evaluation Initiative
The Valor Medals Review Project, established by a resolution of the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission in June 2018, is a systematic review aimed at rectifying a historical injustice. This project focuses on minority veterans from World War I who may have been unjustly denied high-level valor awards due to race or religion.
The Valor Medals Review Project is conducted by the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War at Park University. The project's scope is not limited to service members from a specific ethnicity or religion, but is inclusive of all who may have been wronged. As of now, researchers have identified 214 servicemembers for review, including 105 Jewish Americans, 73 African Americans, 24 Native Americans, 11 Hispanic Americans, and one Asian American.
The U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives approved an extension of the Robb Centre's research efforts through December 31, 2028, via the 2024 NDAA. This extension was signed into legislation by President Joe Biden in December 2023.
The Valor Medals Review Project was included as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2020. The event to discuss the progress of the project will be held on March 26, 2024, at the Kansas City (Mo.) Public Library's Plaza Branch. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a reception, followed by the program from 6 to 7 p.m.
Tim Westcott, Ph.D., director of the Robb Centre and professor of history and associate archivist at Park University, will present at the event. He will be joined by Damon Grosvenor, a senior history major, and Martin Roberson, a junior secondary education/social science major. Anne Kniggendorf, KCPL staff writer/editor, will moderate the discussion.
The event will be held in the Truman Forum Auditorium and will also be streamed on the KCPL's YouTube channel. For those interested in attending in person, RSVP can be done at kclibrary.org/events/credit-where-credit-overdue-world-war-i-valor-medal-review. For more information about the Valor Medals Review Project, visit the George S. Robb Centre's website.
It is important to note that while detailed timelines, history, and updates about the Valor Medals Review Project may not be readily available online, the project's significant impact on recognizing the bravery and service of minority World War I veterans is undeniable. If you need specific information about the Valor Medals review project, it may be necessary to consult dedicated official sources or contact the relevant awarding department directly for updates not publicly posted online.
This project serves as a testament to the ongoing efforts to ensure that the heroism and sacrifices of all service members, regardless of race or religion, are duly recognised and celebrated.
- The ongoing Valor Medals Review Project, highlighted in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2020, serves as a testament to education-and-self-development efforts in rectifying historical injustices, particularly focusing on the recognition of minority veterans of World War I who may have been unjustly denied high-level valor awards.
- The Valor Medals Review Project, extending through 2028 via the 2024 NDAA, intersects with politics and general news due to its historical impact and the recent extension being signed into legislation by President Joe Biden in December 2023.
