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Military to review award upgrades for Black, Native American veterans

The U.S. military will review whether some service cross awards to Black and Native American veterans should be upgraded to the Medal of Honor.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin wrote in an August 2nd memo that the review will cover Black and Native American veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars -- as well as Native Americans who fought in World War Two.

The Army and Navy conducted similar reviews for Black World War Two veterans.

The Medal of Honor is highest award for valor in combat.

In a release the Defense Department said that the review will make sure veterans who served at a time of widespread racial discrimination -- receive equal opportunities for their valor to be recognized.

Originally from the Midwest, Tripp Crouse (Ojibwe, a descendent of Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, pronouns: they/them) has 15-plus years in print, web and radio journalism. Tripp first moved to Alaska in 2016 to work with KTOO Public Media in Juneau. And later moved to Anchorage in 2018 to work with KNBA and Koahnic Broadcast Corporation. Tripp currently works for Spruce Root in Juneau, Alaska. Tripp also served as chair of the Station Advisory Committee for Native Public Media.