Golden Thirteen Congressional Gold Medal Act: Honoring Trailblazing Black Navy Officers Posthumously

Alright, let's talk about a piece of legislation that's all about setting the record straight and giving some long-overdue props. This bill, officially called the “Golden Thirteen Congressional Gold Medal Act,” is looking to award a Congressional Gold Medal to a group of trailblazing Black officers who broke barriers in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

The Story Behind the Medal

Imagine this: it’s January 1944, and the Navy has zero Black officers. Sixteen Black enlisted men are brought together for officer training, but here’s the kicker—they’re expected to finish a 16-week course in just 8 weeks. Talk about pressure! These guys, the bill notes, really pulled together, studying through the night. All sixteen passed their exams, and when some folks cried foul, they re-took them and scored even higher, hitting a 3.89 out of 4.00 class average, which was a Navy record at the time. Despite this incredible achievement, the Navy only commissioned 12 of them as officers and one as a chief warrant officer on February 24, 1944, making them the “Golden Thirteen.” The other three who passed were sent back to the enlisted ranks without explanation. This medal is a formal recognition of their perseverance and groundbreaking service.

What This Bill Actually Does

At its core, this bill is about honoring the Golden Thirteen. It mandates that the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate arrange for the posthumous presentation of this gold medal. That means the medal will be awarded in their honor, as they are no longer with us. The Secretary of the Treasury is on the hook for designing and producing the medal, making sure it reflects their significance with appropriate emblems and inscriptions.

Once it’s awarded, the medal isn't just going into a dusty vault. The bill specifies it will go to the Smithsonian Institution, where it’ll be available for public display and research. There's even a suggestion that the Smithsonian should make it available for display at other relevant locations connected to the Golden Thirteen’s story. This isn't just a symbolic gesture; it’s about making sure their story is accessible and remembered for generations.

Bronze for the People

Beyond the primary gold medal, the bill also allows the Secretary of the Treasury to produce and sell bronze replicas. Think of it like those commemorative coins you sometimes see. The price for these duplicates will cover all the production costs, from labor to materials, so it’s not costing taxpayers extra. Any money made from selling these bronze copies will go right back into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, which is also where the initial funding for the gold medal’s production will come from. This makes the whole process pretty self-sustaining.

Finally, the bill clarifies that these medals, both gold and bronze, will have official status as national medals under U.S. law, specifically classifying them as numismatic items. This basically means they’re recognized as official government-issued collectibles. All in all, this legislation is a straightforward way to officially recognize a group of individuals who, against significant odds, paved the way for future generations in the U.S. Navy. It’s a nod to history, ensuring these heroes get the spotlight they earned.