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Pentagon inducts 24 Medal of Honor recipients

By Spc. John G. MartinezMarch 26, 2014

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1 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Secretary of the Army John McHugh unveil a plaque inducting nine Medal of Honor recipients in the hall of Heroes
from the Korean War in the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., March 19, 2014. Medal of Honor awardees from ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, accompanied by U.S. Army leadership, presents the Medal of Honor flag to Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.) Melvin Morris during the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony, in the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., March 19, 2014.... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, accompanied by U.S. Army leadership, presents the Medal of Honor flag to Sgt. (Ret.) Santiago J. Erevia during the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony, in the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., March 19, 2014. Erev... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Secretary of the Army John McHugh delivers remarks at the Hall of Heroes
Induction Ceremony in tribute of 24 Medal of Honor recipients, in the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., March 19, 2014. Seven recipients were World War II veterans, nine Korean War ve... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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5 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, accompanied by U.S. Army leadership,
presents the Medal of Honor flag to Medal of Honor recipient Master Sgt.
(Ret.) Jose Rodela during the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony, in the Pentagon in Arlington, ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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6 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel accompanied by U.S. Army leadership inducted 24 Army veterans into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes in the Pentagon Auditorium, Arlington, Va., March 19, 2014, as part of the festivities surrounding one of the largest Medal... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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7 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Secretary of Army John McHugh presents the Medal of Honor Flag to Nancy Weinstein, on behalf of her husband, Sgt. Jack Weinstein, one of 24 Army veterans honored during the Valor 24 Hall of Heroes Induction ceremony, held at the Pentagon, Arlington, ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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8 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Secretary of Army John McHugh, left, presents the Medal of Honor Flag to Joe Rodriguez, on behalf of his uncle, Pvt. Miguel A. Vera, one of 24 Army veterans honored during the Valor 24 Hall of Heroes Induction ceremony, held at the Pentagon, Arlingto... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel accompanied by U.S. Army leadership inducted 24 Army veterans into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes in the Pentagon Auditorium, Arlington, Va., March 19, 2014, as part of the festivities surrounding one of the largest Medal of Honor ceremonies in history. Each of these Soldiers' bravery was previously recognized by award of the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest award; that award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor. Congressional review and the 2002 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) prompted a review of Jewish American and Hispanic American veteran war records from WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. During the review, records of several Soldiers of neither Jewish nor Hispanic descent were found to display criteria worthy of the Medal of Honor. The 2002 NDAA was amended to allow these Soldiers to be honored with the upgrade - in addition to the Jewish and Hispanic American Soldiers.

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