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Medal of Honor

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United States Army
Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration in the United States of America. It was authorized by joint resolution of Congress, July 12, 1862. The medal has often been given posthumously. The medal is often erroneously called the "Congressional" Medal of Honor.

The medal was first authorized to six Union soldiers who hijacked the Confederate locomotive "The General." James J. Andrews, who led the raid, was a civilian. Andrews did not get the medal because it was originally given only to enlisted men. Army officers first received them in 1891 and Naval officers in 1915. The latest action for which it has been awarded was Somalia in 1993.

Many Medals of Honor awarded in the 19th century were associated with saving the flag, not just for patriotic reasons, but because the flag was a primary means of battlefield communication.

During and after the 20th century, the medal has been awarded for extreme bravery above and beyond the call of duty, where a person consistently and persistently has put his comrades' safety foremost to the utter disregard of his own life.

The Army, combing through its records, has stripped many Civil War soldiers of the distinction. It seems that many soldiers were simply promised the Medal of Honor as an enticement to re-enlist once their tour of duty was finished, the war not yet being over.

The medal consists of a gold star surrounded by a wreath, topped by an eagle on a bar inscribed with the word "Valor." The medal is attached to a thick blue ribbon, which is then worn around the neck.

The Medal of Honor also confers a special privilege on its recipients. Traditionally, even higher ranking officers in the US military initiate the salute, no matter how low the rank of the recipient, many of them enlisted personnel. Contrary to popular opinion, however, no regulation exists requiring this courtesy.

The highest corresponding civilian award given by the US is the Medal of Freedom.

Table of contents
1 Medals of Honor awarded since 1863
2 Quotation
3 Recipients of the Medal of Honor Include
4 External Link

Medals of Honor awarded since 1863

2625 before the 20th century, 1130 after 1900 Pueblo, Colorado is the site of a National Medal of Honor Memorial. Until recently, Pueblo was unique as the residence of four living recipients of the medal.

Quotation

"The Medal of Honor is a small, five-pointed star that hangs from a blue ribbon, but it comes at such a terrible price that it is an unquestioned tribute to the bravery of anyone who wears it." Robert Rawlings, The Pueblo Chieftain.

Recipients of the Medal of Honor Include

External Link

See also Medal of Honor (computer game).