To authorize the Secretary of the Army to posthumously award the Distinguished Service Cross to William D. Owens for his valorous actions from June 6, 1944, to June 8, 1944, during World War II at La Fiere Bridge in Normandy, France, while serving with the 505th Parachute Infantry.
This bill authorizes the U.S. Army to posthumously award the Distinguished Service Cross to William D. Owens for his brave actions during World War II at La Fiere Bridge in Normandy (June 6-8, 1944). It waives standard time limits for awarding military honors, allowing the Secretary of the Army to upgrade Owens' previous Bronze Star Medal to the Distinguished Service Cross for the same acts. The bill directly affects Owens’ family by recognizing his service posthumously and the Army by enabling the formal award. It is a procedural measure to correct a historical recognition oversight, with no new policy or funding changes.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2024
Committee Review
May 2024
House Passage
May 2024
Senate Passage
President
Introduced Apr 18, 2024
Last action May 9, 2024
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced in House
→
Engrossed in House
·
2 edits
·
May 8, 2024
MINOR
The bill received minor structural edits adding a formal subsection heading '(a) Waiver of time limitations' to organize existing language, along with a small formatting fix to the '(b)' heading. No substantive policy changes were made; the waiver of time limits and the description of Owens' acts of valor remain identical.
TECHNICAL
A new subsection heading '(a) Waiver of time limitations' was added above the existing waiver language, giving it a proper structural label.
The '(b) Acts of valor described' heading had a minor formatting adjustment (a space was added before the letter).
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the House. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
9
Key actions
4
Committee
3
May 8, 2024
Lower · Passed
On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H2987)
lower
May 8, 2024
Lower · Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H2987)
lower
May 8, 2024
Lower · Passed
Committee on Armed Services discharged.
lower
May 8, 2024
Lower · Passed
Mr. Kelly (MS) asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
lower
Apr 18, 2024
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
lower
Apr 18, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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