A Vietnam War hero was given the Medal of Honor by President Joe Biden after waiting almost 60 years.
Co-anchor for PBS News Hour Geoff Bennett tweeted along with a photo, “President Biden awards the Medal of Honor to retired Army Col. Paris Davis for his bravery during Vietnam — following a nearly 60-year wait for recognition.”
President Biden awards the Medal of Honor to retired Army Col. Paris Davis for his bravery during Vietnam — following a nearly 60-year wait for recognition. We’ll speak with Col. Davis tonight on @NewsHour pic.twitter.com/uBMjWUDrHN
— Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) March 3, 2023
ABC News noted Davis received the honor “after the Army said it lost his paperwork — twice.”
BREAKING: Pres. Biden awards the Medal of Honor to Paris Davis, a Black Army Special Forces hero from the Vietnam War who has waited close to 60 years to receive the nation's top award for valor after the Army said it lost his paperwork — twice. https://t.co/nYLybTfoMU pic.twitter.com/ElTWoHGdpk
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) March 3, 2023
“This may be the most consequential day since I’ve been president,” Biden said during the ceremony.
He added, “This is an incredible man.”
According to CBS News, Davis saved the lives his troops in 1965 while on the battlefield and disregarded an order to evacuate until all of his troops were out.
“Within minutes, the jungle lit up with enemy fire. Hundreds of Viet Cong began to swarm Capt. Davis and his team, pinning them down in a rice paddy with no cover,” Biden said.
He continued, “Capt. Davis rallied his team to fight back, getting so close to the enemy he was battling them hand to hand.”
Biden shared he wishes he “could say this story of Paris’ sacrifice on that day in 1965 was fully recognized and rewarded immediately. But sadly we know they weren’t.”
On Thursday, Davis spoke with CBS Mornings and shared how it felt to receive the honor.
“It’s to allow America to understand we have people that are out there protecting America, at the same time being rewarded by America for the service that they’ve rendered,” Davis said.
“It’s for America, too”: Retired Col. Paris Davis is receiving the Medal of Honor after nearly six decades of delays, and tomorrow on #CBSMornings, he tells @CBS_Herridge what the honor means to him. pic.twitter.com/4tNubcvdXq
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) March 2, 2023
Regan Davis Hopper, his daughter, suggested discrimination is to blame for the delay.
“And I think that’s a shame,” she said, adding, “Discrimination hurts us all, not just the individual, but our entire country. So, I’m so proud of us to finally set this right.”
