The Medal of Honor is the highest military honor awarded for gallantry in battle. During World War II, many Japanese American soldiers performed heroic deeds worthy of this honor, but for decades only one, Sadao Munemori, received it, due to racial discrimination. In 2000, after an investigation, President Clinton awarded the Medal of Honor to 20 additional Japanese American WWII veterans. Seven of these veterans were still alive to accept the honor in person.