New York Sen. Charles Schumer has introduced legislation to allow a black World War I soldier from Albany to receive a posthumous Medal of Honor.
The Democrat introduced a bill in the Senate Thursday that would exempt Sgt. Henry Johnson from the rules specifying that a Medal of Honor must be awarded within five years of the heroic act being recognized. A companion bill will be introduced in the House.
Schumer announced last month that Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel recommended Johnson receive the nation's highest military decoration for bravery in combat.
If Congress approves the legislation, it goes to President Barack Obama for final approval.
Johnson was serving in the all-black 369th Infantry Regiment when he saved a comrade from capture during a German raid in France in May 1918.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.
