releases: https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/legendary-blues-pianist-and-veteran-johnnie-johnson_honored-by-mccaskill-with-congressional-gold-medal
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| url | title | date | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/legendary-blues-pianist-and-veteran-johnnie-johnson_honored-by-mccaskill-with-congressional-gold-medal | Legendary Blues Pianist & Veteran Johnnie Johnson Honored by McCaskill with Congressional Gold Medal | 2016-11-28 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Democrat | House | MO | Claire McCaskill | M001170 | www.mccaskill.senate.gov | legacy | Legendary Blues Pianist & Veteran Johnnie Johnson Honored by McCaskill with Congressional Gold Medal Musical legend and Montfort Point Marine veteran posthumously awarded highest civilian honor Monday, November 28, 2016 ST. LOUIS – U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today honored the late legendary musician and Montford Point Marine Johnnie Johnson with a Congressional Gold Medal at the National Blues Museum in St. Louis. The Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom are the highest civilian honors in the United States, awarded to citizens whose achievements had an impact on American history and culture. Johnson’s widow, Frances Johnson, accepted the medal on his behalf. Click HERE for more images from the gold medal ceremony. “Johnnie Johnson was a true American treasure and represented the very best of this country,” said McCaskill, the daughter of a World War II veteran. “He never stopped contributing to his country, through his courageous service as one of the first African-American Marines during World War II, and later through his legendary music. Honoring American greats like Johnnie reminds us yet again why he and so many who served are known as the ‘greatest generation.’” Click HERE to listen to a Spotify playlist of Johnnie Johnson’s greatest hits. Johnson, who lived in St. Louis, was a Montford Point Marine, the African-American Marines unit that endured racism and inspired social change while integrating the previously all-white Marine Corps during World War II. After his service, Johnson had a long and illustrious musical career as a blues, jazz, and rock and roll pianist, culminating with an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. McCaskill cosponsored and helped pass legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to all Montford Point Marines who trained for duty at the segregated Montford Point facility at Camp Lejeune, N.C. In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order allowing African-Americans to be recruited by the Marine Corps, however they were not allowed to attend traditional boot camps, despite serving with distinction throughout the Pacific. In 2012, the Montford Point Marines were recognized with the Congressional Gold Medal, and the Administration and the Montford Point Marine Association has been working to identify additional Montford Point Marines so they can be properly recognized for their brave duty and service. Improving care for veterans and honoring their service has been a priority for McCaskill in the U.S. Senate. Earlier this year she assisted Joe Randazzo in his induction into the French Legion of Honor and successfully advocated for World War II veteran Carl Willm to receive his Bronze Star Medal after a long delay. McCaskill has previously helped Missouri veterans and their families secure overdue combat awards, including World War II veterans Vernon C. Crecelius and Walter Wocjik, Vietnam veterans Patrick Howe and Walter Sitzwohl, and Korean War veterans Dencil Francis and Reverend Leo Hardin. The National Blues Museum, where today’s ceremony was held, is dedicated to preserving and honoring the history and legacy of Blues music and its impact on world culture. Located in Downtown St. Louis in the Mercantile Exchange district, the museum is an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to be the premier entertainment and educational resource focused on the Blues as the foundation of American music. The National Blues Museum uses artifact-driven exhibits, live performances and interactive galleries to perpetuate blues culture for future generations of artists, fans and historians. Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/veterans to learn more about McCaskill’s fight for military veterans. ### Print Email Tweet | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |