President Obama is honoring two World War I soldiers — one black, another Jewish — with the nation’s highest award for bravery. Sergeant William Shemin got the Distinguished Service Cross for braving heavy fire to rescue wounded comrades in August 1918 — and taking over his platoon when other officers were cut down. But his family thinks he was passed over for the Medal of Honor because he was Jewish. Meantime, in May of that year, Private Henry Johnson rescued a comrade and led a counter-attack against the Germans while serving in an all-black regiment from New York State. AP correspondent Nicki Mayo reports.
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William Shemin and Henry Johnson are set to be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
SHEMIN PHOTO COURTESY OF FAMILY; JOHNSON PHOTO COURTESY U.S. ARMY
