Congress sends legislation honoring WWII spies to Obama

Proposal would award Congressional Gold Medal to those who served behind enemy lines in Nazi Germany and the Pacific theater

By MARY CLARE JALONICK 1 December 2016, 3:24 pm

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This June 6, 1944, file photo shows American soldiers of the Allied Expeditionary Force securing a beachhead during initial landing operations at Normandy, France. (AP Photo/Weston Haynes, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress on Wednesday sent President Barack Obama legislation to give the Congressional Gold Medal to World War II spies who served behind enemy lines in Nazi Germany and the Pacific theater.

A predecessor to the Central Intelligence Agency, the Office of Strategic Services was formed in 1942 and at one point employed almost 13,000 men and women recruited from all branches of the military. Famous members include actor Sterling Hayden and director John Ford, baseball player Mo Berg, chef Julia Child and future CIA director William Casey.

Estimates of how many OSS members are still alive range from a few dozen to 100.

Legislation to award the spies the medal had passed the Senate and had more than 300 sponsors in the House, but was held up by House Republican rules that required a special waiver to grant the medal to groups of people. Lawmakers were concerned too many of the medals were being given out and the prestige of the award was waning.

US President Barack Obama speaks during a press conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, November 14, 2016. (AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB)

After lobbying by some of the spies themselves — many in their 90s — House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., this month secured the waiver, which required sign off from all members of Republican leadership.

The House passed the legislation Wednesday by voice vote, along with two separate bills granting the medal to Filipino veterans and Merchant Marines in World War II. The legislation granting the Filipino veterans’ medal will also head to Obama’s desk, while the Merchant Marine legislation is awaiting Senate action.

“As we enter into uncharted waters with the incoming administration, I hope that we will all take pause and heed the lessons of the OSS and remember that America is at its best when we work together with our longstanding allies and when we recruit diverse personnel to serve our government,” said Rep. Bill Foster, D-Ill.

Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt, the bill’s Senate sponsor, urged Obama to sign it quickly.

“From establishing intelligence networks deep behind enemy lines to bolstering resistance organizations throughout Europe and Asia, these intelligence officers played a critical role in securing the Allied victory,” he said.

After years of lobbying, many of the OSS members became frustrated as the bill continued to stall.

Hugh Montgomery, 93, of McLean, Va., served in the OSS during World War II and watched from the House visitor’s gallery as the chamber debated the bill. Montgomery jumped into Normandy on D-Day with the 82nd Airborne and was among the first Americans to enter the Buchenwald concentration camp.

“Far too long,” he said, when asked afterward what he thought about Congress approving the medal.

“It was sorely needed,” Montgomery said of the OSS. “We had to fight and win the war.”