Image via WikipediaOn Sunday, 21 years after his death, Jackson Givens. a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award presented by the U.S. Congress. Most of the Tuskegee Airmen received the medal in 2007 in the Capitol Rotunda, the Washington Post reported at the time. But it took several years of pestering to get the award for Givens, his family said. Jackson Givens served from Feb. 21, 1942, until he was honorably discharged on Sept. 18, 1945.
The segregated World War II unit, formed in 1942, showed that African-Americans could successfully serve outside the mess hall or supply depot and helped pave the way for the racial integration of the military. The outfit distinguished itself in air combat over Europe and the name Tuskegee Airmen has inspired generations.
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