Just days after introducing legislation on this issue, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) today successfully secured an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 that will recognize the sacrifices of Jewish American military service members who served during World War I.

 

“As our nation prepares to observe Memorial Day, I am happy that my amendment honoring the services and sacrifices of Jewish Americans who served during World War I has been adopted by the House,” Luetkemeyer said. “The story of our nation has in large part been written by our veterans. Our veterans not only helped protect our nation, but they helped build it as well. It is appropriate that our nation honors the commitment and sacrifice of all men and women who have worn the uniform of our nation’s Armed Forces.”

Luetkemeyer’s legislation, the William Shemin Jewish World War I Veterans Act, seeks to right potential wrongs committed out of prejudice against heroic Jewish Americans serving during World War I. The legislation would give qualified Jewish military members the opportunity to receive the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military honor.The legislation institutes a review process for Jewish Americans who served in World War I, and who were previously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, or other military decoration for service during World War I.

Thousands of Jewish soldiers have died in combat for our country and thousands more have been wounded. Unfortunately, qualified soldiers had not been considered for the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded by our government, due to discrimination. In 2001, Congress passed the Leonard Kravitz Jewish War Veterans Act. This important piece of legislation presented Jewish soldiers the opportunity to receive the Medal of Honor for their service in World War II. Luetkemeyer’s legislation will build on the Leonard Kravitz Jewish War Veterans Act by recognizing the sacrifices of Jewish soldiers during World War I.