H.R. 8063House118th Congress (2023-2025)Passed House

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.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 4:04 PM UTC

The bill lets the Secretary of the Army award the Distinguished Service Cross—the Army’s second‑highest combat medal—to the late William D. Owens for his heroic actions during the Normandy invasion in early June 1944. It removes the usual time limits for granting the award and formally recognizes Owens, who had already received a Bronze Star for the same deeds.

Key Provisions

Waives the standard time limits for awarding the Distinguished Service Cross, allowing a posthumous award to William D. Owens.
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to grant the Distinguished Service Cross for Owens’s actions from June 6‑8 1944 at La Fière Bridge in Normandy, France.
Notes that Owens was previously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for those actions.

Legislative Activity

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8 earlier actions

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Received in the Senate.

May 9, 2024

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 18, 2024

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

April 18, 2024

HouseFloor

Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H2987)

May 8, 2024 • 6:34 PM

HouseFloor

Mr. Kelly (MS) asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

May 8, 2024 • 6:34 PM

HouseCommittee

Committee on Armed Services discharged.

Armed Services Committee

May 8, 2024

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H2987)

May 8, 2024 • 6:34 PM

HouseFloor

On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H2987)

May 8, 2024 • 6:34 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

May 8, 2024 • 6:34 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate.

May 9, 2024

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 8063 on the floor

1 Republican

Rep. Trent KellyR-MS-1 · May 8, 2024

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 8063) to authorize the Secretary of the Army to posthumously award…

Bill Text

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Received in SenateIssued May 9, 2024

118th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 8063

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 9, 2024

Received

AN ACT

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.

Authorization for posthumous award of the distinguished service cross to william d. owens for acts of valor at la fiere bridge

(a)

Waiver of time limitations

Notwithstanding the time limitations specified in section 7274 of title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation with respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons who served in the Armed Forces, the Secretary of the Army may award the Distinguished Service Cross under section 7272 of such title to William D. Owens for the acts of valor at La Fiere Bridge described in subsection (b).

(b)

Acts of valor described

The acts of valor referred to in subsection (a) are the actions of William D. Owens from June 6, 1944, to June 8, 1944, at La Fiere Bridge for which he was previously awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

Passed the House of Representatives May 8, 2024.

Kevin F. McCumber,

Clerk.