Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Congressional Medal of Honor Society is a federally chartered organization composed exclusively of the living recipients of the United States' highest military award for valor, the Medal of Honor. Established by an Act of Congress in 1958, its primary mission is to protect, uphold, and promote the legacy of the Medal and its recipients. The Society, headquartered in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, serves as a fraternal organization for its members while conducting extensive public outreach and educational programs centered on the values of courage, sacrifice, and patriotism embodied by the award.

History and establishment

The Society was formally created by Public Law 85-642, signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on August 5, 1958. This legislative action was championed by World War I recipient Charles D. Barger and other Medal of Honor recipients who sought to create a permanent organization for fellowship and mutual support. The initial organizational meeting was held in Boston, Massachusetts, with General of the Army Douglas MacArthur serving as its first president. The Society's founding was part of a broader effort to codify the traditions and privileges associated with the Medal of Honor, following earlier legislation like the Medal of Honor Roll established in 1916. Its first permanent headquarters were established at the USS *Yorktown* museum in Charleston Harbor.

Membership and eligibility

Membership is restricted to the living recipients of the Medal of Honor, as awarded by the President of the United States in the name of Congress. Eligibility is automatic upon receipt of the medal, and there are no dues or fees for members. The Society maintains the official Roster of Recipients and is deeply involved in verifying the authenticity of claims to the award. Upon the death of a member, their name is transferred to the Society's memorial roll. This exclusive criterion ensures the organization remains a unique fraternity, with its membership representing actions from conflicts including the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and recent operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Activities and programs

The Society engages in a wide array of activities focused on education, remembrance, and character development. Its flagship program is the Medal of Honor Character Development Program, a curriculum provided free to educators nationwide to teach students about the values embodied by recipients. The Society also hosts the annual Medal of Honor Convention, a multi-day event rotating among host cities that includes public ceremonies and school visits. Other key initiatives include the Citizen Honors Awards, which recognize civilians demonstrating extraordinary valor, and the maintenance of the Medal of Honor Museum aboard the USS *Yorktown*. Members frequently participate in speaking engagements at military institutions like the United States Military Academy and United States Naval Academy.

Governance and organization

The Society is governed by a Board of Directors elected from its membership, which includes positions such as President, Vice President, and Secretary. Day-to-day operations are managed by an executive director and a professional staff at its headquarters. It operates as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization under the Internal Revenue Code. Key committees oversee finance, member services, and the Character Development Program. The organization works closely with the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force on matters pertaining to the medal and its recipients. Its operations are supported by the separate Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable entity.

Notable members and recipients

Throughout its history, the Society has included many of the nation's most celebrated military figures. Early presidents included Douglas MacArthur and Audie Murphy, the most decorated U.S. soldier of World War II. Other prominent members have included Jimmy Doolittle, leader of the Doolittle Raid; Desmond Doss, the first Conscientious objector to receive the medal; and Salvatore Giunta, the first living recipient since the Vietnam War. Naval aviator and United States Senator John McCain was also a member, as was Matthew O. Williams, a recipient for actions in the War in Afghanistan. The Society honors the legacies of historical figures like Alvin York and Theodore Roosevelt while serving its current members.