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Nov 8, 2022 · Thomas Jerome Hudner, Jr. Collection. Library of Congress Veterans History Project. A gold star suspended from a pale blue neck ribbon dotted with thirteen white stars: the appearance of the Medal of Honor is highly recognizable. Since 1861, the Medal of Honor has been awarded to more than 3,000 members of the military.
The Medal of Honor is the United States' highest award for military valor in action. And while over 150 years have passed since its inception, the meaning behind the Medal has never tarnished. Etched within are the very values that each Recipient displayed in the moments that mattered—bravery, courage, sacrifice, integrity.
Medal of Honor History & Timeline. A History Of Heroism. Timeline. The Medal of Honor has achieved prominence in American history like few other awards have. It’s a symbol for the very values its recipients displayed in the moments that mattered, an honor bestowed upon only the most honorable.
The Medal of Honor, created during the Civil War, is the United States’ highest military decoration for acts of valor in combat. Presented by the president in the name of Congress, it is the American armed forces’ oldest continuously issued combat decoration.
- The Medal of Honor Has Roots in The Civil War.
- The President Usually Awards The Medal of Honor in The Name of Congress.
- 19 People Have Earned The Medal of Honor twice.
- A Few Civilians Have Received The Medal of Honor.
- The Medal of Honor Can Be Awarded posthumously.
- There’S only One Coast Guard Medal of Honor recipient.
- Medal of Honor Recipients Receive A Handful of Benefits Along with The Medal.
- There Are Plans For A Medal of Honor Museum in North Texas.
The Medal of Honor was established by President Abraham Lincoln in December 1861 to acknowledge extreme courage and bravery by Union sailors and Marines fighting in the Civil War. A few months later, on July 12, 1862, Congress signed a law extending eligibility for the award to soldiers in the Army. The Medal of Honor has since been awarded to serv...
All recipients are presented the medal in the name of Congress, although the president is typically the one who physically gives the award to the honoree or their family. Most recently, President Joe Biden presented the medal posthumously to Army Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Casheand Army Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Celiz, as well as Army Master Sgt. Earl P...
The last time a service member received two Medals of Honor was during World War I. Interestingly, the five most recent double recipients were awarded two Medals of Honor for a single act of valorbecause they were Marines working with the Army during their act of valor. They received a medal from both the Navy and the Army, although the rules regar...
During the Civil War, eight civilians — including the only female honoree Dr. Mary Walker — received the Medal of Honor. Civilians are no longer eligible to receive the award and instead, if eligible, are presented merits like the Presidential Medal of Freedom or the Congressional Gold Medalfor extraordinary actions or achievements.
Many Medals of Honor have been awarded posthumously. In 2019, President Trump posthumously awarded Army Staff Sgt. Travis W. Atkins the Medal of Honor, and his son received the award on his behalf. The year prior, Air Force Master Sgt. John A. Chapman was also posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, which was presented to his wife. Chapman was the...
Signalman 1st Class Douglas Munroreceived the award posthumously more than 75 years ago for saving Marines during the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II.
In addition to a lifelong monthly stipend, Medal of Honor recipients have special “Space-A” - that is, “space available” - air transportation privileges, and their children can attend the military academies (without nomination and regardless of quota requirements), among other benefits.
In addition to the efforts to establish a National Medal of Honor Museum in Texas, there is also a movement for a Medal of Honor monumentto be established in Washington, D.C. - This story was originally published on USO.org in March 2021. It has been updated in 2022.
Feb 9, 2010 · The first U.S. Army soldiers to receive what would become the nation’s highest military honor were six members of a Union raiding party who in 1862 penetrated deep into Confederate territory to...
Mar 18, 2014 · On Morning Edition, NPR's Tom Bowman told the story of Vietnam War veteran Santiago Erevia, who risked his life in May 1969 when he charged four North Vietnamese bunkers. The Medal of Honor...
