Douglas Edwards

For his contributions as a World War II correspondent, and his role as anchorman of the first regularly-scheduled daily television news report, Douglas Edwards received the Legion's Distinguished Service Medal in 1988.

The National Executive Committee praised Edwards for his trustworthy journalism, stating that he has "contributed to the high national morale and public awareness as a correspondent during World War II (on CBS Radio), which influenced the conviction and resolve of the citizens of the United States of America to endure to victory."

Further, Edwards "perpetuated the affirmation of national pride through the broadcasting of postwar events to include the commemoration of the accomplishments and results of World War II" and "has stood as a symbol of integrity, trust and character in the television industry."

From 1948 to 1962, Edwards was a fixture in America's living rooms thanks to his nightly CBS newscast. He kept at it for 14 years, until he was replaced by Walter Cronkite. He subsequently returned to CBS Radio and made occasional TV appearances until his retirement in 1988.

Edwards began his radio career in Alabama at 15. In college, he intended to study medicine, but he switched to journalism. Toward the end of World War II, Edwards served under war correspondent Edward R. Murrow while trying to get his own spot.

Colleague Dan Rather called Edwards "the inventor of television news anchoring." After battling cancer, Edwards died in 1990, at 73. He was posthumously elected to the Radio Hall of Fame in 2006.

For more on Edwards, click here (http://web.sbu.edu/friedsam/archives/edwards/biography.html).