Two Alabama members of Congress teamed up Wednesday to introduce a bill that would award the Congressional Gold Medal to the first Black armored unit to serve in World War II.
Under the bill by Reps. Gary Palmer, R-Hoover and Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, the 761st Tank Battalion would receive the medal “in recognition of their crucial role in the success of Allied forces in Europe and for the example they set as the first Black soldiers to go to war as part of an American armored unit.”
The battalion “paved the way for Black American soldiers and made significant contributions to the Allied Forces during World War II,” said Palmer.
“The battalion’s motto was ‘Come Out Fighting,’ and they embodied it fully,” the congressman continued. “They were on the front lines for 183 straight days without being pulled and inflicted significant damage to German forces in November 1944. Fifty percent of the battalion suffered casualties, but their sacrifice helped propel the Allies to victory.”
Palmer said the unit’s recognition went unnoticed for too long, when they received a presidential unit citation in 1978.
“This delayed gratification came almost 33 years after the battalion’s service in World War II. In 1997, seven men who served with the 761st were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President Bill Clinton,” Palmer said. “In honor of their trailblazing effort for Black American soldiers and their loyal service to their country, the 761st Tank Battalion deserves the Congressional Gold Medal. It is time these men receive the recognition they deserve.”
Sewell said the unit “not only helped propel the Allied Forces to victory, but also forged new paths for Black Americans to serve in the U.S. military.
“Again, this Black History Month, I am proud to join Rep. Palmer in introducing a bill that honors and recognizes the courageous contributions of the 761st Battalion and ensures they are never forgotten,” Sewell said.
Besides Palmer and Sewell, the bill is also co-sponsored by Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise; Reps. Neal Dunn, R-Fla; Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa; Stephanie Bice, R-Okla.; Ron Estes R-Kan.; and Pete Stauber, R-Minn.