HR5934-119

What This Bill Does

The Major Thomas D. Howie Congressional Gold Medal bill recognizes the Army officer known as the Major of St. Lo. The findings describe Howie's birth in Abbeville, South Carolina, his Citadel leadership and athletic career, his commission and Virginia National Guard service, his landing on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, and his command of 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division. During the Normandy campaign, Howie helped rescue the encircled 2nd Battalion and was ordered to take St. Lo; before the attack, he was killed by German mortar fire while briefing company commanders. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, French Legion of Honor, French Fourragere, and Combat Infantry Badge. His soldiers carried his flag-draped body into St. Lo on a Jeep, making him the first American to enter the city, and he was laid in the rubble of St. Croix Cathedral. The bill directs congressional leaders to arrange a posthumous gold medal, directs Treasury to strike it, presents it to Tom Howie or the next of kin, and then gives it to The Citadel Museum for display and research. Mint Public Enterprise Fund amounts may pay medal costs, and proceeds from duplicate bronze medals go back to that fund.

Who Benefits and How

Major Thomas D. Howie's family benefits from congressional recognition of his Normandy service and sacrifice. The Citadel Museum benefits because it receives the gold medal for display and research. Veterans, historians, and the public benefit from a permanent national honor tied to the Battle of Normandy and liberation of St. Lo. The United States Mint benefits from authority to recover duplicate bronze medal proceeds into the Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The Secretary of the Treasury and United States Mint must design and strike the gold medal and duplicate bronze medals. The Mint Public Enterprise Fund bears the upfront cost of producing medals. Congressional leadership must arrange the award ceremony and presentation process.

Key Provisions

• Finds that Major Thomas D. Howie showed exceptional bravery during the Battle of Normandy and became known as the Major of St. Lo.
• Directs the Speaker and Senate President pro tempore to arrange a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal for Major Howie.
• Requires Treasury to strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions.
• Provides for presentation to Tom Howie or the next of kin and transfer to The Citadel Museum for display and research.
• Authorizes Mint Public Enterprise Fund amounts for medal costs and deposits duplicate bronze medal proceeds into that fund.