78 years after his death in Nazi Germany, a Black Kansas City hero is honored in his hometown

Pfc. Willy F. James Jr. was among seven African American troops unjustly denied the country’s highest military award for valor during World War II. Veterans and service members at James' memorial shared their thoughts on his legacy.
On Friday, 78 years after his death in Nazi Germany, Medal of Honor winner and Army Pfc. Willy F. James Jr. was finally honored in his hometown.

In March 1945, James was one of 2,200 Black soldiers sent to the World War II frontlines. James, 25 at the time, was killed by a Nazi sniper while trying to save his injured platoon leader. He had been in combat for less than a month.

“It’s the proper burial he never received, with a firing squad and the band playing taps,” said retired Marine Robert E. Gray III at the ceremony last week. “It's only fitting he gets the proper hero’s homecoming.”