Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor
Name	Medal of Honor
Caption	Obverse of the Army version
Awarded for	Conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty
Country	United States
Type	Neck order
Eligibility	United States Armed Forces service members
Status	Currently awarded
First award	Civil War (1863)
Total awarded	3,535
Posthumous awarded	619
Caption2	Service ribbon

Medal of Honor. It is the United States government's highest and most prestigious military decoration, awarded for acts of valor that far exceed the call of duty. Established during the American Civil War, it is presented by the President of the United States in the name of the United States Congress. The decoration is bestowed upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States.

History and creation

The concept for the decoration emerged in 1861 during the early months of the American Civil War, proposed by James W. Grimes, a Senator from Iowa. The first formal provision for awarding the medal was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on December 21, 1861, as a Navy award. An Army version was authorized the following year, with the first awards presented in March 1863 to members of Andrews' Raiders for a daring raid behind Confederate lines. Initially, the criteria were loosely defined, leading to hundreds of awards for non-combat actions. The design and administration were later standardized, with separate versions created for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, while the Marine Corps and Coast Guard receive the Navy variant.

Criteria and award process

The modern criteria are exceptionally stringent, requiring incontrovertible evidence of a deed performed "above and beyond the call of duty." The action must involve risk of life and be of such a nature that, if not done, would not subject the individual to any justified criticism. Recommendations are initiated at the unit level and undergo exhaustive scrutiny through the military chain of command, culminating in review by the respective service department and final approval by the President of the United States. The process is governed by U.S. Code, specifically Title 10, and involves thorough investigation by boards of officers. Since 1918, a key requirement has been that the valorous act must have occurred while engaged in combat against an armed enemy of the United States.

Design and symbolism

The three current service versions share core symbolic elements but differ in specific design. The Army medal is a gold five-pointed star surrounded by a green enameled laurel wreath, topped by an eagle bearing a shield. The Navy and Air Force medals are inverted five-pointed stars. The central motif for all versions is the head of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and warfare. The light blue ribbon, worn around the neck, is adorned with thirteen white stars representing the original colonies. The reverse is inscribed with the recipient's details, and the design has evolved from the simple "Butterfly" pattern of the Civil War era to its current ornate form, with the Air Force version being created by a 1965 act of Congress.

Recipients and notable actions

There have been 3,535 awards to 3,516 individuals, with 19 receiving it twice. The first recipient was Private Jacob Parrott during the Civil War. Notable recipients include Theodore Roosevelt for his actions at the Battle of San Juan Hill, Alvin York in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War I, and Audie Murphy, the most decorated American soldier of World War II. More recent awards include those to Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti and Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy for heroism during the War in Afghanistan and Operation Red Wings, respectively. The only female recipient is Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a Civil War surgeon.

Legal protections and privileges

Federal law, under U.S. Code Title 18, Section 704, provides severe penalties for the unauthorized wear, manufacture, or sale of the decoration. Recipients are afforded special privileges, including a lifetime pension, supplemental uniform allowances, and space-available travel on military aircraft. They receive invitations to presidential inaugurations and are entitled to have their children nominated to the United States service academies without regard to quota requirements. Many states also offer special license plates and other benefits to living recipients.

Controversies and reviews

The early history of the award includes several controversies, most notably the 1916-1917 review ordered by the Army that purged 911 names from the rolls, including those of all 864 members of the 27th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment and the 29 members of Abraham Lincoln's funeral guard. The 1990s review of awards to Asian American servicemen from World War II led to upgrades for 22 individuals, including Senator Daniel Inouye. Debates occasionally arise over specific cases, such as the posthumous award to Theodore Roosevelt in 2001, and ongoing efforts to recognize overlooked heroes from conflicts like the Battle of the Bulge and the Vietnam War.

Category:American military awards