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Contact Info
Home Town Woodmere N.Y.
Date of Passing Nov 27, 1978
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Last Known Activity:
Harvey Bernard Milk
Deep Sea Diver
US Navy / Korean War
Both of Harvey Milk's parents had served in the U.S. Navy. His mother, Minerva Karns, was an early feminist activist who joined the Yeomanettes, a group agitating for the inclusion of women in the US Navy during World War I. His father, William Milk, served on a sub crew during the war.
After earning his degree from New York State College for Teachers in Albany, in 1951, Harvey entered the U. S. Navy where he served on active duty during the Korean War. He trained as a deep-sea diver, and advanced to the rank of chief petty officer on the U.S.S. Kittiwake (ASR-13).
Commissioned an ensign in late 1953, he was transferred to Naval Station at San Diego to serve as a diving instructor. In 1955, he was discharged from the Navy at the rank of lieutenant, junior grade. Milk was proud of his military service, and wore a brass belt buckle bearing his Navy diver's insignia until the day he died.
PMoF: In August 2009, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Milk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with the comparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award in the United States.
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Presidential Medal of Freedom - 2009
Name of Award Presidential Medal of Freedom
Year Awarded 2009
Last Updated: Oct 11, 2011
This ribbon does not rate any devices for subsequent awards
Details Behind Award
In August 2009, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Milk the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contribution to the gay rights movement stating "he fought discrimination with visionary courage and conviction".
