Meaning

[er_priyankajolly]

More than fifty years after the Second World War, a number of African American soldiers were awarded"•some of them posthumously"•with the Congressional Medal of Honor, which was the nation's highest military award, and which was long overdue in recognition of their outstanding bravery.


In the above sentence is it wrong to say that "which was the nation's highest military award" and "and which was long overdue in recognition of their outstanding bravery" give info about the medal that was awarded.

If yes then please explain why?

[uwhusky]

I think the construction:

"were awarded...with the Congressional Medal of Honor, which was the nation's highest military award, and which was long overdue in recognition of their outstanding bravery."

and

"were awarded...with the Congressional Medal of Honor, which was the nation's highest military award and which was long overdue, in recognition of their outstanding bravery."

are quite different.

Main idea of first one is: "were awarded...with the Congressional Medal of Honor and which was long over due in recognition of their outstanding bravery."

Main idea of second one is: "were awarded...with the Congressional Medal of Honor in recognition of their outstanding bravery."

"and which" in the first one is not correct. Although the main idea in the 2nd construction is acceptable, it's non-essential clause has incorrect "which" modifier implicating that the medal itself is long overdue rather than the act of awarding the medal is long overdue.

So either way, "which was long overdue" is incorrect.