For 150 years, the James Gordon Bennett Medal has been one of the highest honors in the New York City Fire Department. Since 1869, the award has been given to firefighters who climb awnings to save families from burning buildings, or pull children from flames. Awarded annually for valor above and beyond the call of duty, it is akin to a Medal of Honor for the fire service. Mr. Bennett, who endowed the award in 1869 after firefighters saved his upstate home from a blaze, was the publisher of The New York Herald newspaper, where he pushed racist and segregationist views during the Civil War. On Tuesday, the Fire Department announced it would strip Mr. Bennett’s name from the medal, citing his history of using racist language.

Source: New York Times September 08, 2020 22:52 UTC