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Willy James was one of seven African American soldiers whose Medals of Honor were approved decades after their wartime service due to discriminatory barriers in the awards process. -
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Valcenie James, widow of PFC Willy James, received her late husband's posthumous Medal of Honor from President Bill Clinton in 1997. -
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Marine Corps veteran Robert E. Gray III will discuss Willy James in 'Honor Deferred,' part of the Veteran R.E.A.D.S. program's Signature Speaker Series.
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension’s Veteran R.E.A.D.S. program will host a Feb. 23 talk on Willy Frederick James Jr., Kansas City’s only native Medal of Honor recipient.
The free event, part of the Veteran R.E.A.D.S. program’s Signature Speaker Series, is 5-6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity’s Hiram Young School, 505 N. Dodgion Ave., Independence. The talk will be presented by Marine Corps veteran Robert E. Gray III.
James was one of seven African American soldiers whose Medals of Honor were approved decades after their wartime service due to discriminatory barriers in the awards process. His widow, Valcenie James, received the medal from President Bill Clinton at a 1997 White House ceremony.
“PFC James’s story reflects a broader history in which Black veterans served with distinction while being excluded from the honors, benefits and public remembrance afforded to others,” said event organizer Joshua Shinn, an MU Extension community development specialist.
James was drafted in 1942 and later served as a scout with the 413th Infantry Regiment, 104th “Timberwolf” Infantry Division. He was recognized for marksmanship and leadership during training in France before participating in operations following the Battle of the Bulge. On April 7, 1945, James conducted reconnaissance under heavy fire and volunteered to lead an assault. He was killed while attempting to aid a wounded officer. James’s Medal of Honor is now displayed at the Black Archives of Mid-America.
Shinn said Gray’s talk will examine James’s military service during World War II, the circumstances surrounding his delayed recognition and the broader historical context in which many Black servicemembers were denied timely acknowledgment of their actions.
Event information
- What: “Honor Deferred: Honoring World War II Medal of Honor Recipient PFC Willy Frederick James Jr., U.S. Army”
- When: 5–6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, 2026.
- Where: Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity’s Hiram Young School, 501 N. Dodgion St., Independence.
- Speaker: 1st Sgt. Robert E. Gray III, USMC (Ret.)
- Cost: Free and open to the public.
About Veteran R.E.A.D.S.
Veteran R.E.A.D.S. is an MU Extension program that uses storytelling to build resilience, enhance education, drive advocacy, foster meaningful dialogue and promote service among veterans.