Putzier won the valor award his senior season.

Soldiers from the battalion also earned two Distinguished Service Crosses, the second-highest valor award, and 27 Silver Stars, the third-highest award for valor.

For several years prior to the announcement, U.S. military officials had ruled out an online database of valor awards as impractical.

He had won several commendations, including a valor award from the State Policemen's Benevolent Association, Mr. Amato said.

"The mayor fell to a whole lot of political pressure from part of the black community," Rick McCubbin, Chapter 6 president, contended in defending the valor awards.

Subsequently, the Corps took part in numerous rescue operations during serious natural disasters; for this commitment the Corps was decorated with 13 additional civil valor awards.

For the failed rescue attempt, Hudner received the Medal of Honor, the highest valor award presented by the U.S. military.

Sergeant Rafael Peralta with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, one of the two, was eventually awarded the Navy Cross, the second highest military valor award.

Four have Purple Hearts for combat wounds, and four have valor awards.

Sherrard, without the mayor's knowledge, had approved valor awards for two officers involved in a deadly shooting with racial overtones.