Upcoming Documentary Showcase on Park University's Review of Valor Medals on March 24th
News Article: Valor Medals Review Project Aims to Right Historical Wrongs
The Valor Medals Review Project, spearheaded by Park University's George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War, is set to shed light on a significant issue from World War I – the unjust denial of high-level valor awards to minority veterans due to racial or religious discrimination.
The project, which focuses on uncovering overlooked acts of valor among African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, Jewish American, and Native American soldiers, aims to ensure these brave individuals receive the recognition they deserve for their bravery.
The initiative is part of a broader movement to correct historical injustices in military honors, acknowledging that prejudice during and after WWI often led to unequal award distribution. By reexamining records, the George S. Robb Centre seeks to restore honor to veterans who were overlooked because of their minority status.
A documentary titled "More Than a Medal," produced by Lame Deer Films in cooperation with the George S. Robb Centre, will debut on March 24, 2022, at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Mo. The event, scheduled for 6:30 p.m., will be free to attend, but reservations are required.
The documentary interweaves the efforts of researchers, heroic stories of World War I, and the experiences of modern-day descendants. Following the premiere, a question-and-answer session with the producers and directors will take place.
In April 2019, bipartisan bills were introduced in Congress (H.R.2249 and S.1218) to require a systematic review of minority veterans who served in World War I. These bills, supported by Park University, mandate the Department of Defense to carry out a thorough review of select members of the U.S. Armed Forces who may have been denied the Medal of Honor due to race.
The systematic review will focus on minority veterans who received a Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross and/or the French Croix de Guerre with Palm and/or were recommended for a Medal of Honor. A total of 214 servicemembers have been identified for review, including 105 Jewish Americans, 73 African Americans, 23 Native Americans, 12 Hispanic Americans, and one Asian American.
The bills also waive the statute of limitations associated with any cases identified by the review, authorizing the award of a Medal of Honor to any individuals identified by the DOD in the study.
Coincidentally, Medal of Honor Day, a U.S. federal observance, will be celebrated the day following the documentary premiere on Friday, March 25.
To learn more about Park University's Valor Medals Review Project, visit
- The Valor Medals Review Project, in its pursuit of education-and-self-development, aims to unveil learning opportunities about historical injustices in military honors.
- By reexamining records as part of the Valor Medals Review Project, individuals can learn of the overlooked acts of valor among minority veterans, ensuring their bravery is acknowledged and their honor is restored.
