MS SC610

Honors Vietnam Purple Heart Veteran Billy Ray Metts of Louisville, Mississippi, on the occasion of the 2018 Black History Month exhibit "African-Americans in Times of War" at the Winston County Library.

Metts served with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade in Vietnam and was severely injured by an antipersonnel mine after four months, resulting in the loss of both legs; he received the Purple Heart Medal while recovering at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

Recognizes Metts' post-military service as a Red Cross Disaster Volunteer, Baptist Deacon and Teacher, and educator who worked 20 years at Louisville Alternative School before retiring in 2007.

Notes that 7,262 African-Americans were killed in Vietnam (14.1% of total casualties), with disproportionately high casualty rates in combat units until President Johnson ordered reductions in African-American combat assignments.

Directs that the resolution be presented to Billy Ray Metts and his family and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.