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Operation Hero Homecoming
7 April, 2023

Operation Hero Homecoming

Medal of Honor Recipient Private First Class Willy F. James Jr made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States of America. He the only African American from Kansas City, Missouri to receive this rare, distinguished award and we are fortunate to have had such a distinguished person who was born and lived here, prior to his service in the U.S. Army.

Operation Hero Homecoming: PFC James is buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. His Medal of Honor currently doesn’t have a permanent display location. On April 7, 2023, 11:00 PM, Medal of Honor Recipient Private First Class Willy F. James Jr medal exhibit will open at the Black Archives of Mid-America, Kansas City. Join us in honoring our hometown hero back to his childhood neighborhood.  

Ceremonial laying of a wreath at Black Veterans Memorial, 12th Street & The Paseo

Event is free tickets at 

Operation Hero Homecoming

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Operation Hero Homecoming


05/13/2022: 

Why we formed the Nonprofit is to bring awareness to the community of Kansas City’s that we have an African American Medal of Honor recipient. Also highlight that During World War II, 1.2 million African American volunteers to service, only 7 received the Medal of Honor the nation’s highest award.

PFC James is buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. His Medal of Honor currently doesn’t have a permanent display location. The goal is to display his medal in Kansas City, MO. Also, to raise $250,000 for exhibit and memorial. Join us in bring our hometown hero back to his childhood neighborhood.   

•    Begin the National WW II Museum traveling exhibit “Fighting for the Right to Fight” in October 2022 to Kansas City, MO.
•    Design and develop an exhibit at the Black Archives of Mid-America, Kansas City.
•    Design a memorial in honoring the sacrifice of Medal of Honor Recipient Private First Class Willy F. James Jr and African American servicemembers during World War II at Black Veterans Memorial, 12th Street & The Paseo.

Up Coming Events

7 Apr 23: Opening Exhibit Ceremony at the Black Archives of Mid-America 
7 Apr 23: Memorial (Sculpture/Statues) at Black Veterans Memorial park at 12th Paseo.

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