Black D-Day combat medic's long-denied medal tenderly laid on Omaha Beach where he bled, saved lives
A medal richly deserved but long denied to an African American combat medic wounded on... Waverly Woodson Jr., a medic who was part of the only Black combat unit to participate in the D-Day invasion of France during World War II, was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of his extraordinary heroism and determination during the war. This award is the second-highest honor that can be bestowed on a member of the Army and can be awarded for extraordinary heroism. Soldiers of the First U.S. Army held a ceremony on Omaha Beach in Colleville-sur-Mer, France on June 7, 2024, to honor Waverly. Woodson. Jr. who was the sole Black combat medic to participate and was awarded the D.Day. Cross is seen on the sand of Omaha Beach where he bled, saved lives.
Published : 11 months ago by By JOHN LEICESTER, Associated Press in World
A soldier of the First U.S. Army shows the Distinguished Service Cross while another holds the portrait of of Waverly Woodson Jr., a medic who was part of the only Black combat unit to take part in the D-Day invasion of France during World War II, being posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of the heroism and determination he showed treating troops under heavy enemy fire , on Omaha Beach in Colleville-sur-Mer, France on Friday, June 7, 2024, Soldiers of the First U.S. Army hold a ceremony on Omaha Beach in Colleville-sur-Mer, France on Friday, June 7, 2024, to honor Waverly Woodson Jr., a medic who was part of the only Black combat unit to take part in the D-Day invasion of France during World War II, being posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of the heroism and determination he showed treating troops under heavy enemy fire. The Distinguished Service Cross is the second-highest honor that can be bestowed on a member of the Army and is awarded for extraordinary heroism. The Distinguished Service Cross is seen on the sand of Omaha Beach . Soldiers of the First U.S. Army hold a ceremony on Omaha Beach in Colleville-sur-Mer, France on Friday, June 7, 2024, to honor Waverly Woodson Jr., a medic who was part of the only Black combat unit to take part in the D-Day invasion of France during World War II, being posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of the heroism and determination he showed treating troops under heavy enemy fire. The Distinguished Service Cross is the second-highest honor that can be bestowed on a member of the Army and is awarded for extraordinary heroism. A soldier of the First U.S. Army holds a portrait of Waverly Woodson Jr., a medic who was part of the only Black combat unit to take part in the D-Day invasion of France during World War II, being posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of the heroism and determination he showed treating troops under heavy enemy fire , on Omaha Beach in Colleville-sur-Mer, France on Friday, June 7, 2024, Soldiers of the First U.S. Army hold a ceremony on Omaha Beach in Colleville-sur-Mer, France on Friday, June 7, 2024, to honor Waverly Woodson Jr., a medic who was part of the only Black combat unit to take part in the D-Day invasion of France during World War II, being posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of the heroism and determination he showed treating troops under heavy enemy fire. The Distinguished Service Cross is the second-highest honor that can be bestowed on a member of the Army and is awarded for extraordinary heroism. A Soldier of the First U.S. Army holds a portrait of Waverly Woodson Jr., a medic who was part of the only Black combat unit to take part in the D-Day invasion of France during World War II, being posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of the heroism and determination he showed treating troops under heavy enemy fire , on Omaha Beach in Colleville-sur-Mer, France on Friday, June 7, 2024, Soldiers of the First U.S. Army hold a ceremony on Omaha Beach in Colleville-sur-Mer, France on Friday, June 7, 2024, to honor Waverly Woodson Jr., a medic who was part of the only Black combat unit to take part in the D-Day invasion of France during World War II, being posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of the heroism and determination he showed treating troops under heavy enemy fire. The Distinguished Service Cross is the second-highest honor that can be bestowed on a member of the Army and is awarded for extraordinary heroism. Soldiers of the First U.S. Army hold a ceremony on Omaha Beach in Colleville-sur-Mer, France on Friday, June 7, 2024, to honor Waverly Woodson Jr., a medic who was part of the only Black combat unit to take part in the D-Day invasion of France during World War II, being posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of the heroism and determination he showed treating troops under heavy enemy fire. The Distinguished Service Cross is the second-highest honor that can be bestowed on a member of the Army and is awarded for extraordinary heroism. Soldiers of the First U.S. Army hold a ceremony on Omaha Beach in Colleville-sur-Mer, France on Friday, June 7, 2024, to honor Waverly Woodson Jr., a medic who was part of the only Black combat unit to take part in the D-Day invasion of France during World War II, being posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of the heroism and determination he showed treating troops under heavy enemy fire. The Distinguished Service Cross is the second-highest honor that can be bestowed on a member of the Army and is awarded for extraordinary heroism.
“Understanding my position as an African American and to learn about Corporal Woodson and everything he experienced here on Omaha and in Normandy is very touching to me, and to be here in the exact spot, it’s just historic," Williams said. "It’s very, very touching.”