Scott James, a staff writer and columnist for the Bay Citizen and New York Times, recently wrote about Rep. Eshoo's efforts to help secure medal for Carl Clark, an African-American who served during World War II. Clark will receive the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with the Combat Distinguished Device. An excerpt of the article is below:

History, when wrong, can be repaired.

It took more than 66 years, but the United States Navy finally recognized the heroics of World War II veteran Carl Clark, 95 of Menlo Park Thursday.

Clark risked his life to put out a raging fire and save his ship, the destroyer U.S.S. Aaron Ward, during a deadly kamikaze attack on May 3, 1945 near Okinawa, Japan. Six Japanese fighter planes hit the vessel -- no ship ever survived more kamikaze attacks. Clark, who was only a low-ranking steward at the time, was badly wounded but grabbed a hose during the heat of the battle and doused a fire before each reached an ammunition locker on deck, saving hundreds of lives.

But the Navy ignored Clark's deeds – they were not even mentioned in the official battle report – because he was black. The U.S. military routinely failed to note the heroics of African-Americans and other minorities during that time, especially if their actions saved the lives of white servicemen, according to historians. Many in the military believed that African-Americans were incapable of bravery, and therefore could not be credited with saving whites.

On Thursday, the Navy said it would formally present Clark with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with the Combat Distinguishing Device. The medal ceremony could happen within the next few weeks – possibly the last combat medal awarded to a living World War II veteran.

"It's beautiful," Clark said Thursday evening after hearing the news. "It makes me feel real good that someone had enough faith to believe what I said. They had to push hard. I know that. And I really appreciate what they did."

Clark's heroics would have gone unrecognized if it weren't for the intervention of two women: Sheila Dunec, an instructor at Foothill College, and Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto). Both have been relentless in demanding recognition for Clark ever since they heard his story.

To read the full article, please click here.