Board of Supervisors to honor Congressional Gold Medal recipients

August 9, 2012

The Solano County Board of Supervisors is looking for Solano County residents who have been presented with the Congressional Gold Medal.

"We are proud to have Solano County residents who have been awarded this esteemed honor.  We want to publicly acknowledge their accomplishments," said Supervisor Barbara Kondylis.

A recent Congressional Gold Medal recipient is Luther Hendricks of Vallejo.  He received the award on June 27, 2012 for his service with the Montford Point Marines during World War II.  Other groups, such as the Tuskegee Airmen, Native American Code Talkers and Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II (WASP), and the 100th infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Military Intelligence Service have been awarded the medal.

The Board will honor local recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal during a presentation at its Aug. 28 meeting, which is slated to start at 1 p.m.

Since the American Revolution, the United States Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. Each medal honors a particular individual, institution, or event. 

Although the first recipients included citizens who participated in the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and the Mexican War, Congress broadened the scope of the medal to include actors, authors, entertainers, musicians, pioneers in aeronautics and space, explorers, lifesavers, notables in science and medicine, athletes, humanitarians, public servants and foreign recipients.

If you are the recipient of this prestigious award or know someone who is and they reside in Solano County, please contact Ted Puntillo, Director of Solano County Veteran Services, at (707) 784-6590 or Nestor Aliga at (707) 853-0062.