A total of 24 veterans -- only three of which are living -- will be awarded the Medal of Honor at a White House ceremony on Tuesday, USA TODAY reported.
President Barack Obama will award the veterans for their courageous actions in World War II, Vietnam, and Korea. The medals will be awarded posthumously to the families of the 21 veterans who have passed away.
According to USA TODAY, each soldier was already given Distinguished Service Cross, which is the nation's second highest military honor. Each soldier will have that award upgraded to the Medal of Honor for their heroism above and beyond the call of duty.
In 2002, members of Congress called for a review of war records from WWII, Vietnam, and Korea to make sure that Jewish and Hispanic soldiers were not denied awards due to prejudice.
However, the review of records not only discovered veterans of Jewish and Hispanic descent that were not awarded properly but also found soldiers of neither ethnic background that had not been honored either.
The three living veterans to be given the Medal of Honor all fought in the Vietnam War -- Sgt. 1st Class Melvin Morris, African American; Master Sgt. Jose Rodela, Hispanic American; and Spc. Santiago Erevia, Hispanic American.
The families of Staff Sgt. Salvador J. Lara, Hispanic American; Pvt. Pedro Cano, Hispanic American; Sgt. Alfred B. Nietzel, Caucasian; 1st Lt. Donald K. Schwab, Caucasian; Pfc. William F. Leonard, Caucasian; Staff Sgt. Manuel V. Mendoza, Hispanic American; and Pvt. Joe Gandara, Hispanic American will receive their medals for their actions in WWII.
The families of Sgt. Jesus Duran, Hispanic American; taff Sgt. Felix Conde-Falcon, Hispanic American; Spc. Leonard Alvarado, Hispanic American; Sgt. Candelario Garcia, Hispanic American; and Spc. Ardie Copas, Caucasian will receive their awards for their actions in Vietnam.
Lastly, the families of Cpl. Victor H. Espinoza, Hispanic American; Sgt. Juan E. Negron, Hispanic American; Pvt. Miguel Armando "Nando" Vera; Pfc. Demensio Rivera, Hispanic American; Sgt. Jack Weinstein, Caucasian; Pfc. Leonard M. Kravitz, Jewish American; Sgt. Eduardo Corral Gomez, Hispanic American; Cpl Joe R. Baldonado, Hispanic American; and Master Sgt. Michael C. Pena, Hispanic American will accept the medals for their actions in Korea.
