Rivers, Ruben
1918-1944 · Contribution: 1944-1997
Military & Safety
Received the Medal of Honor posthumously in 1997 for repeatedly refusing evacuation after a severe wound to continue leading his tank platoon in combat near Guebling, France, in November 1944 — one of seven Black WWII veterans honored after a 1990s Army study confirmed racial discrimination had denied Black soldiers fair Medal of Honor consideration
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Quick facts
- Born
- 1918-1944
- Category
- Military & Safety
Impact on the world
Rivers's refusal to leave the fight despite grievous wounds embodied the valor of America's first Black armored unit, long denied its due.
Sources
- National Museum of the United States Army
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