Congressman Crow Honors WWII Army Rangers Awarding them the Congressional Gold Medal at Ceremony
WASHINGTON — On Thursday, June 26, Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), a former Army Ranger and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, honored World War II Army Rangers with the Congressional Gold Medal—the highest civilian award bestowed by Congress.
Congressman Crow authored and passed bipartisan legislation, the United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, to bestow this award on our nation’s heroes. Congressman Crow’s legislation was signed into law in 2022. Two WWII Rangers attended the ceremony to receive the award in-person.
“These Rangers represent the best of us. During World War II, the Army formed six all-volunteer Ranger Battalions and one provisional battalion. Some of the most important battles of the war relied on their skill, sacrifice, and unending courage. They fought throughout Europe, including D-Day landings at Omaha Beach, and liberated 500 prisoners from a Japanese POW camp in the Philippines. It’s a great honor to award the Congressional Gold to those who confronted fascism face-to-face and won,” said Congressman Crow.
The Rangers attending the ceremony were Sergeant. Joseph J. Drake and Private First Class. John Wardell. Other notable speakers in attendance were Speaker Mike Johnson, Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary Douglas Collins, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senator Joni Ernst, Senator Tammy Duckworth, Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and General John D. Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Crow introduced the House version of the bill, the United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, on a bipartisan basis with 319 co-sponsors. The Senate version of the bill was introduced by Senator Joni Ernst. Congressman Crow’s bill was endorsed by organizations including: Veterans of Foreign Wars, Descendants of World War II Rangers, U.S. Army Ranger Association, Association of the United States Army, Arnold Community Council, 75th Ranger Regiment Association, The National Ranger Association, The Darby Project, and Valor Studios.
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