Overview

• House Speaker Mike Johnson presented the medal to Debra Willett, the granddaughter of Sgt. Leander Willett, at the Capitol.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries attended alongside members of New York's delegation.
• Lawmakers cited the 369th’s 191 consecutive days in combat and roughly 1,500 casualties while the Black regiment fought under French command in World War I.
• The award follows legislation signed by President Joe Biden in 2021 after nearly five years of advocacy by New York lawmakers.
• Speakers honored feats such as Henry Johnson’s celebrated stand and underscored the racism the soldiers faced after returning home.