Black WWII veteran wells with pride as he's honored with officer status over 75 years after service

Grace Carr, DCNF

A black World War II veteran finally got the status he deserved after being commissioned as a second lieutenant.

John Edward James Jr., an Army veteran of World War II, is pinned with the rank of second lieutenant by his daughters Brenda Roberta Watts (left) and Dr. Marion Teresa Lane. (MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION)

The 98-year-old veteran, John Edward James Jr., received his title on Friday after he had been prevented from becoming an officer when he fought during the war because he was black, Fox5 reported.

“Although not awarded the commission owed to him, he bravely rose to face one of our most challenging times in history,” Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. Bob Casey said. “He was denied recognition of his service to his country simply because of his race, because of the color of his skin.”

James received his award at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia.

Obtaining James’s proper commission took a tremendous amount of effort, as his daughter, Marion Lane, had to navigate the bureaucratic process to achieve this. The application for commission she submitted on behalf of her father was denied by the Army Review Boards Agency multiple times, according to Fox5.

“Tenacity is my middle name,” said Lane.

The board took so long to confirm James because evidence of his serving status had been destroyed.

With help from Casey, Lane finally confirmed her father’s commission. James also received a World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal and a European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal on Friday.

John Edward James Jr. attended officer candidate school at Fort Benning, Ga.(MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION)

James was drafted in 1941 and worked as a corporal in North Africa and Italy for three years. He attended officer training school in Fort Benning, Georgia.

Army regulations prohibited black soldiers from holding superior rank over white soldiers during the war.

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