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Authorizes a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor United States nationals who voluntarily joined the Canadian and British armed forces and their supporting organizations during World War II. The Treasury (U.S. Mint) will strike the medal to an appropriate design; the gold medal will be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, and the Secretary may strike and sell bronze duplicates at a price to cover production costs. The medals are designated as official national medals and as numismatic items under Title 31, U.S. Code.
Americans from across the United States volunteered to serve with Canadian and British militaries and associated organizations during World War II because they believed Nazism and Fascism threatened democracy and freedom.
After Germany invaded Poland in 1939, the Canadian and British Air Forces actively recruited Americans to join their forces.
Thousands of Americans joined the Canadian and British Armed Forces, with a large percentage joining the Royal Canadian Air Force; many were processed through Canada before serving with the Royal Air Force.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower referenced Americans who crossed into Canada to enter Canadian Armed Forces and media accounts from the time document their volunteerism and sacrifice; exact numbers are uncertain but reports cited figures such as 'some twelve thousand American citizens.'
Americans also joined organizations such as the Canadian Aviation Bureau, the Home Guard, the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), and the Royal Air Force Ferry Command/Transport Command in Britain, enabling people who could not join U.S. forces (for reasons like gender, age, race, health, or education) to support the war effort.
Who is affected and how:
Last progress June 6, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on June 6, 2025 by Eugene Simon Vindman
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.