They braved bullets and bombs , risking their lives for their country . Now -- having been passed over in some cases for decades due to their ethnicity or skin color -- the U.S. government is giving them their just reward . President Barack Obama announced Friday that 24 Army veterans would receive the Medal of Honor -- the nation 's highest military award , bestowed on U.S. troops who show `` gallantry above and beyond the call of duty `` -- for their combat actions in Vietnam , Korea and during World War II . Many of their fellow soldiers received this medal long ago , for doing similar things in similar places at similar times . But not these 24 men . In 2002 , Congress -- as part of the Defense Authorization Act -- set up a review of Jewish and Hispanic veterans who served in combat since the middle of the century `` to ensure those deserving the Medal Of Honor were not denied because of prejudice , '' explained the White House . The congressional action was later amended to open the door for any serviceman or woman denied the award due to discrimination . Twenty-one of the new Medal of Honor recipients -- with last names including Garcia and Weinstein and Negron -- are n't alive to receive the award . But three others , including Melvin Morris , are alive to be recognized . Morris was 19 when he volunteered to go to Vietnam . In 1969 , the Army Green Beret got hit multiple times by bullets during combat . Bleeding , he `` charged into a hail of fire '' to rescue his dead and wounded comrades in what the Army characterizes as a show of `` determination possessed by few men . '' His heroics were recognized in 1970 with the Army 's Distinguished Service Cross award . Now 72 , Morris -- who is black -- will wear his country 's highest military honor . So , too , will Santiago J. Erevia , a native Texan . The radio-telephone operator was caring for wounded colleagues in 1969 in Vietnam when his position came under attack . According to the Military Times , `` without hesitation Specialist Erevia crawled from one wounded man to another , '' charged while armed toward the hostile fire , before eventually returning to take care of the injured troops he 'd left behind . The last surviving new Medal of Honor recipient is Jose Rodela , who like Morris and Erevia also won a Distinguished Service Cross . While commanding a mobile strike force in Vietnam , Rodela was `` wounded in the back and head by rocket shrapnel while recovering a wounded comrade , '' according to a military commendation , yet he still single-handedly `` assaulted and knocked out ( a ) rocket position '' before returning to lead his men . One of those who will posthumously receive the award is Leonard Kravitz , an assistant machine gunner in the Korean War . He is the uncle and namesake of actor and rock musician Lenny Kravitz . Retired Marine Col. Harvey Barnum , who is white , says he is eager to welcome all the new award recipients into the fold . Barnum , who earned a Medal of Honor himself in 1967 for his service in Vietnam , said he `` had heard rumors ... that there were certain people that people thought should have received the medal . '' Now that they 're finally being justly recognized , Barnum said , `` I 'll look forward to putting my arms around them , and calling them brother , and saying welcome home . '' Medal of Honor denied again for Marine .
President Obama announces 24 new Medal of Honor recipients dating back to WW II . The awards go Hispanics , Jews , African-Americans denied medal due to prejudice . Only 3 of the newly announced award recipients are still alive . Comment: