BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — A Southern University alum was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Biden for his service in the Vietnam War on Friday.

After almost 60 years, retired Army Colonel Paris Davis was awarded for his service in the Vietnam War. Davis was reported to be one of the first Black officers in the elite Army Green Berets.

According to Southern, Davis was from Ohio and majored in political science at Southern on an ROTC scholarship. He was commissioned as an Army reserve armor officer in 1959 and retired as a colonel in 1985. 

After his retirement, he published the Metro Herald newspaper for 30 years in Virginia, according to the release.

The President of the Southern University System released a statement on Davis’ accomplishment. Read his words below.

“We salute Col. Davis for his bravery and service to our nation as he finally receives the top honor for valor,” said Dennis J. Shields, president of the Southern University System. “We are extremely proud that he is a product of Southern University and our Army ROTC program. Col. Davis’ well-documented skill set, tenacity, and pioneering spirit are further proof that our university produces top talent and productive citizens. It is truly an honor for Southern to have this connection to Col. Davis.”

 Southern’s ROTC Director Lt. Col. David Marshal said it was a beloved moment in Southern University Army ROTC history.

“Today we witnessed a moment in our beloved Southern University Army ROTC history as Col. Davis received the highest military decoration,” Marshall said. “Our cadets and the world can see even more that our program here at Southern, which is in its 75th year, has the capability of producing officers of value and unwavering dedication to our country.”