Congressional Gold Medal Authorized for WWII Hero Major Thomas D. Howie, 'The Major of St. Lo'

Here’s a bill that isn’t about taxes or regulations; it’s about recognizing a piece of American history that helped define the Greatest Generation. This legislation authorizes the posthumous award of the Congressional Gold Medal—one of the highest civilian honors—to Major Thomas D. Howie for his bravery and outstanding service during World War II, specifically the Battle of Normandy.

This is a simple, commemorative measure. The bill details Major Howie’s distinguished service, noting his leadership during the crucial fight for St. Lo in July 1944. For those who may not know the story, Major Howie was killed by mortar fire while preparing for the attack, but his men famously placed his body on a jeep, draped in an American flag, ensuring he was the first American to enter the liberated city. This act of respect and inspiration earned him the nickname, “The Major of St. Lo,” and, according to the findings, his story even inspired the character of Captain John Miller in Saving Private Ryan.

The Medal and the Museum

The bill lays out a clear plan for the medal itself. The Secretary of the Treasury is tasked with striking the gold medal, complete with appropriate emblems and inscriptions. This isn't just a symbolic gesture; the medal has a specific destination timeline. First, it will be presented to Major Howie’s nephew, Tom Howie, or his next of kin. After that official presentation, the medal will be permanently housed at The Citadel Museum in South Carolina, where Major Howie attended school. This ensures the medal is preserved and made available for public display and research, connecting this history directly to future generations.

The Cost of Commemoration

Whenever the government authorizes a medal, the question of cost comes up. This bill addresses that directly by tapping into a familiar mechanism: the sale of duplicates. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to create and sell bronze duplicates of the gold medal. Crucially, the price of these duplicates must be set high enough to cover all associated costs—including labor, materials, and overhead—related to the production of all the medals. Any money made from these sales will be deposited back into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, meaning the cost of this honor is intended to be offset by public interest in owning a commemorative bronze copy. Essentially, history buffs and collectors will help pay for the recognition of a hero. The medals created under this Act are officially designated as national medals and numismatic items, which is just the technical way of saying they are official US government collectibles.

In short, this legislation is a clear, precise way to ensure a significant figure from World War II receives the highest recognition, while also making sure his legacy is preserved in a public institution for everyone to learn from, all without placing a burden on the general budget.