A Black medic wounded on D-Day will be honored for treating dozens of troops under enemy fire

By REBECCA SANTANA
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Family and supporters of an African American combat medic who tended to dozens of troops under harrowing conditions on D-Day in northern France are gathering in Arlington National Cemetery to posthumously honor him. During Wednesday’s ceremony, Waverly Woodson’s wife and son will receive his Bronze Star and Combat Medic Badge. Woodson was a 21-year-old medic assigned to the only African American combat unit to land in Normandy on June 6, 1944. He was hit by shrapnel but treated other wounded for the next 30 hours. Supporters have been pushing for him to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Woodson, who was born in Philadelphia and lived in Maryland with his wife, died in 2005.