ExecutiveOrdersEO
MemoMemorandumBiden · D

Presidential Memorandum

Delegation of Certain Authorities Under Section 7271 of Title 10, United States Code

The President delegates authority to the Secretary of the Army to present two specific Medals of Honor from 1906—awarded to Privates William Simon Harris and James W. McIntyre—as administrative corrective actions to each awardee's eldest surviving grandchild. The Secretary must notify the President through the Secretary of Defense before each presentation.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 3599

Impact dates

  1. Notification to President through Secretary of Defense prior to presentation

  2. Publication in Federal Register

Key directives

  • Delegate to Secretary of Army authority to present two specific 1906 Medals of Honor
  • Present medals as administrative corrective action to eldest surviving grandchild of each awardee
  • Notify President through Secretary of Defense prior to each presentation
  • Publish memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • delegation of authority takes effect

Near term (90d)

  • notification to President through Secretary of Defense
  • publication in Federal Register
  • presentation of medals to eldest surviving grandchildren

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

  • Limited to exactly two historical cases; no broader precedent for other medal corrections
  • Document does not specify timeline for completion, creating uncertainty
  • 'Eldest surviving grandchild' determination may require genealogical verification
Presidential Memorandum: Delegation of Certain Authorities Under Section 7271 of Title 10, United States Code · Executive Orders