In 1944, the Navy commissioned its first Black officers — a group that came to be called the Golden Thirteen, after sixteen enlisted men were sent to officer training in eight weeks instead of the usual sixteen and posted the highest class average in Navy history. This bill would award the group a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal honoring their role in integrating the U.S. military. The medal would be displayed at the Smithsonian, and the Treasury can sell bronze duplicates to cover production costs.
Congressional Summary
Golden Thirteen Congressional Gold Medal ActThis bill provides for the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the Golden Thirteen (i.e., the first 13 Black officers in the U.S. Navy), in recognition of their contributions to the country.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2026-02-02
- Date Added
- 2026-04-25
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