National Nonprofit Calls on President Trump to Designate a State Funeral for the Last Medal of Honor Recipient from World War II

  NEW ORLEANS, LA - 09/01/2017 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

To commemorate the 73^rd anniversary of Victory over Japan Day (JV Day), September 2, 1945, the non-profit organization State Funeral for World War II Veterans, launches a nationwide petition drive to convince the President of the United States to designate a state funeral for the last Medal of Honor from World War II. 

This single state funeral would provide special recognition, and serve as a final salute to all 16 million men and women who served in the United States armed forces between 1941 and 1945.

In total, 464 Medals of Honor were awarded to servicemen in World War II.  Only four of these recipients are living today.   Designating a state funeral in Washington, D.C., for the final living Medal of Honor recipient is a fitting to honor the Greatest Generation.   

Citizens can go to www.worldwar2salute.org to sign the petition, which requests that President Donald Trump designated this single state funeral.  

“Our nation has had many state funerals for generals, but never one for an enlisted man.” said State Funeral for World War II Veterans Co-founder Bill McNutt. “All four of the remaining Medal of Holders from World War II were enlisted men. We hope to convince the President take action to honor not only the final Medal of Honor Holder from World War II, but also the millions who gave their all to fight for our country and protect our liberty.”

“The last Medal of Honor recipient from World War II deserves the honor of a State Funeral as a final salute to all the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who defeated Imperialism, Fascism, and Nazism,” McNutt said. “We cannot imagine the extent of their pain as a generation, but we can honor the extent of their service and sacrifice.”

HISTORY AND THE LAW

Under American law, the President of the United States has the sole authority to designate a state funeral and he may do so for any deserving citizen of his choosing. Historically, presidents have designated these funerals for generals and other extraordinary Americans.

In 1921, President Warren Harding designated a state funeral for the Unknown Soldier from World War I. President Harry Truman designated a state funeral in 1948 for General John Pershing. President John F. Kennedy signed the papers to allow a State funeral for General Douglas MacArthur and President Lyndon extended this directive.

In the 13 years that have passed since the state funeral of the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Wilson Reagan, much has changed. The nation is divided in many ways and yearns for a non-political event to bring us together as one – to celebrate the sacrifice and accomplishments of our Greatest Generation.

National Board member, Brigadier General (retired) John T. Digilio, Jr, said, “State funerals are held in order to involve the entire nation in a day of memory. The kind of day that the young carry with them into old age and a day that changes lives of some from self–centeredness to selfless service.” 

Of the Medals of Honor presented for World War II, many were posthumous awards. Only 198 were presented to living military personnel, only four remain. The four living recipients are:

• Robert D. Maxwell: Oregon, a Technician Fifth Grade in the U.S. Army, 96 years of age, born October 26, 1920
• Charles H. Coolidge: Tennessee, a Technical Sergeant in the U.S. Army, 95 years of age, born August 4, 1921
• Hershel Woodrow Williams: West Virgina, Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, 93 years of age, born October 2, 1923
• Francis S. Currey: New York, a Private First Class in the U.S. Army, 91 years of age, born June 29, 1925

As the highest possible honor bestowed upon a person posthumously; state funerals are an entitlement for three classes of Americans: presidents and former presidents of the United States,?presidents-elect of the United States and any other persons designated by the President

General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander of the Pacific, and General Dwight Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander of Europe, were each duly honored by the nation with state funerals.  The selfless, brave men and women who served under them deserve the honor of special recognition at a state funeral for the final Medal of Honor holder from World War II. 

About State Funeral for World War II Veterans

State Funeral for World War II Veterans exists to convince the President of the United States to designate a state funeral for the last Medal of Honor holder from World War II, as a final salute to the 16 million men and women of the greatest generation who served in our armed forces from 1941 to 1945.”   For more information on how to join us in this mission please visit www.worldwar2salute.org.

Christina Stephens, Press Representative
225 223 9423
Christina@stephensPR.com

Bill McNutt Co-Founder
214 534 8000 
info@worldwar2salute.org