DEVELOPING: Congressional Gold Medal Awarded to Harlem Hellfighters Amid U.S. History Debate

BREAKING NEWS: Congressional Gold Medal Awarded to Harlem Hellfighters Amid U.S. History Debate The Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor given by Congress, has been posthumously awarded to the Harlem Hellfighters of World War I during a ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. today. The medal was presented to Debra Willett, granddaughter of Sgt. Leander Willett, on behalf of all members of the 369th Infantry Regiment. The honor comes decades after their service was largely ignored by top military brass and amid efforts to reexamine American history. The Harlem Hellfighters served in World War I despite facing intense discrimination and extreme circumstances. Their legacy has been recognized as a crucial part of U.S. history, with Rep. Tom Suozzi saying "it's never too late to do the right thing." This award is seen as a significant step towards acknowledging the contributions and sacrifices made by African American soldiers during World War I. The ceremony marks a major development in the ongoing debate about how American history is remembered and recognized. This is a developing story. We will provide updates as more information becomes available. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Npr.*