This is a follow-up to a notice I posted earlier (although I can't find it). Nelson Henry was one of thousands who received a "blue discharge" because of his race. There is an attempt under way to have his discharge converted to "honorable" status. The army has agreed to expedite the process since Mr. Henry is 95. Army agrees to expedite appeal for WWII veteran, 95, seeking honorable discharge
What is a "blue discharge"? (Is that the name of Will Smith's latest character?) My personal opinion is that once a person has served they become a first class citizen regardless of any "extra" they might have.
Here is the explanation: The “blue discharge” designation, neither honorable nor dishonorable, denied veterans benefits such as the GI Bill to get a college education, or the right to have an honor guard at their funeral or be buried at a national cemetery. Printed on blue paper, the discharge was a red flag to potential employers who refused to hire soldiers without an honorable discharge. From the original article.
Finally! World War II veteran calls it 'a miracle’: Honorable discharge from Army to correct an ‘injustice,’ nearly 75 years later World War II veteran Nelson Henry Jr. never thought he would see the day the Army would correct his discharge nearly 75 years after he was forced to leave the military because of the color of his skin. Henry, 95, of Philadelphia, received word Monday from the Army Board for Correction of Military Records that his discriminatory “blue discharge” from 1945 because he was black had been changed to honorable. He called the unanimous decision by a three-member board “a miracle.” The rest is here World War II veteran calls it 'a miracle’: Honorable discharge from Army to correct an ‘injustice,’ nearly 75 years later I wish it was the same for all of these vets.
Thanks to all for the likes. It was good to hear that this vet got his due. It was especially poignant that he was notified on D-Day.