This coming Tuesday’s Lowell City Council Agenda features an extraordinary occurrence, one that we have been unable to find a previous example of as of  yet; the filing of a motion sponsored by every single member of the council.

6.19. Lowell City Council (M. Gitschier, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott) – Through both the Mayor’s Office and City Manager make a request to our Federal delegation to award Sergeant Major Dors “Gene” Musgray the United States Congressional Medal of Honor. 

The impetus behind the motion, Sergeant Major Dors “Gene” Musgray, is a highly decorated retired Army Sergeant Major and Vietnam War Veteran who calls the Mill City home.

A square on the corner of Pawtucket Boulevard and Old Ferry Road is named in his honor, but his story resonates far beyond Lowell’s city limits. Musgray’s courage under fire during Vietnam has already been recognized with two Silver Star Medals, two Purple Hearts, and a Bronze Star for bravery.

Now, there is renewed effort to honor him with a Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded the United States Armed Forces.

Musgray’s story became the subject of a documentary titled “The Medal That Time Forgot.” Created by Emily Allgair as her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) thesis documentary project through the Documentary Film Program at Wake Forest University, the narrative follows Musgray alongside Wake Forest Law Professor/Afghanistan combat veteran Ellie Morales and her law students as they navigate congressional offices to correct the decades old injustice.

To view the documentary, click on the link here and enter the password thesiscut26. We highly recommend you do, as it offers and intimate portrait of the man, his life and the bravery that inspired this effort.

The Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded by the President of the United States in the name of Congress to military members who perform conspicuous acts of valor and risk their lives above and beyond the call of duty.

Already, the documentary makers have secured the signature of Congressman Pat Harrigan. The Freshman Republican represents North Carolina’s 10th District, which is where Wake Forest is located.

It is now the hope of the Lowell City Council that a member of the Massachusetts congressional delegation picks up the mantle and helps carry it across the finish line.

(There will be a special meet and greet with Sgt. Major Musgray this Tuesday night, September 22 at 5:30pm in the Mayor’s Reception Room at Lowell City Hall. The public is invited to attend.)