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OCTOBER 27 2008
BACK PAY FOR WIDOW
By Editorial Staff
Miami Herald
Commend U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson for helping to bring about a just conclusion to a tragic story, if not a happy ending. Florida’s senior senator helped secure back pay for the widow of a World War II soldier wrongly convicted and imprisoned for participating in a riot during which an Italian prisoner of war was killed.
Samuel Snow was one of 28 African-American soldiers railroaded to a conviction in 1944. They were imprisoned and dishonorably discharged for something they did not do. In October 2007 – 63 years later – the Army admitted its mistake. In July, it gave Mr. Snow, a Florida resident, an honorable discharge and an apology. Mr. Snow, 84, died the very same day.
Sen. Nelson and Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., filed legislation to compel the military to award interest on any back pay owed Mr. Snow and any others in similar circumstances who have convictions overturned. Mr. Snow’s widow, Margaret, will receive $27,580 in back pay and interest that her husband was unfairly denied. Good work.