# Plain Language Summary of H.R. 8063

This bill is a straightforward recognition of a World War II soldier's heroism. It gives the Secretary of the Army permission to award the Distinguished Service Cross—one of the military's highest honors for bravery—to William D. Owens, even though he has passed away. Owens earned this recognition for his extraordinary courage during the D-Day invasion on June 6-8, 1944, when he fought at La Fiere Bridge in Normandy, France, as part of the 505th Parachute Infantry.

The key thing this bill does is waive the normal time limits that usually apply to military medals. Normally, there are strict deadlines for nominating someone for a medal, and those deadlines have long since passed for someone who served in 1944. This bill makes an exception, allowing the Army to officially recognize Owens' actions with this higher honor. He was previously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for the same actions, but this bill upgrades that recognition to the Distinguished Service Cross, which is considered a greater honor for acts of valor.

This doesn't affect most people directly—it's a ceremonial recognition of historical military service. However, it matters to military history, to Owens' family and legacy, and to how we honor those who showed exceptional bravery during World War II. It's essentially Congress saying that this soldier's heroism deserves to be officially recognized at the highest level, even decades after the fact.

To authorize the Secretary of the Army to posthumously award the Distinguished Service Cross to William D. Owens for his valorous actions from June 6, 1944, to June 8, 1944, during World War II at La Fiere Bridge in Normandy, France, while serving with the 505th Parachute Infantry.

Brownley, Julia

<p>This bill authorizes the Department of the Army to posthumously award William D. Owens the Distinguished Service Cross, regardless of statutory time limitations for providing such an award, for acts of valor at La Fiere Bridge in Normandy, France, from June 6, 1944, to June 8, 1944. He was previously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for such acts.</p>