Medal of Honor (Army)

Medal of Honor (Army)
Name	Medal of Honor (Army)
Awarded by	United States Army
Type	Military decoration
Established	1861
First awarded	1862
Eligibility	Members of the United States Army
Awarded for	Acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty
Status	Active

Medal of Honor (Army) is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States Army for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Instituted during the American Civil War era, it has since been conferred for actions in conflicts such as the Indian Wars, Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), and Iraq War. Recipients include enlisted personnel and officers whose deeds have been recognized by Army commands, the Secretary of the Army, and the President of the United States.

History

The decoration traces origins to congressional authorization in 1861 and 1862 during the presidencies of Abraham Lincoln and the administration of the Thirty-seventh United States Congress. Early awards recognized actions by soldiers in engagements such as the Battle of Antietam, Battle of Gettysburg, and campaigns against Sioux and Cheyenne forces. During the Spanish–American War and the subsequent Philippine–American War, the medal acknowledged actions in expeditions like the Battle of San Juan Hill and the Philippine Insurrection. World War I recipients were honored for bravery in battles like Meuse–Argonne Offensive and the Battle of Cantigny. World War II awards cited heroism at Normandy landings, Battle of the Bulge, and Iwo Jima; Korea and Vietnam campaigns produced numerous citations for engagements such as the Battle of Chosin Reservoir and the Tet Offensive. Legislative revisions and reviews—by bodies including the United States Congress, the Department of Defense, and boards convened under the Army Decorations Board—have altered eligibility, nomination timelines, and award standards, with high-profile reviews addressing awards from the Brown v. Board of Education era onward and specific retroactive recognitions involving minority servicemembers and World War II veterans.

Criteria and Eligibility

Award criteria require acts of valor "above and beyond the call of duty" while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States, in military operations involving conflict with an opposing force, or while serving with friendly forces engaged in armed conflict. Eligibility is limited to members of the United States Army, though inter-service actions have produced cross-branch nominations involving personnel from the United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Air Force, and United States Coast Guard in joint operations. Nominations typically originate at unit level commanders, pass through brigade and division channels, and require endorsements from commanders such as those of United States Army Forces Command and United States Army Europe and Africa. Statutes and regulations found in the United States Code and Department of Defense directives define time limits, standards of proof, and requirements for eyewitness statements, with exceptions made by acts of United States Congress for retroactive awards and corrections. Considerations include the nature of the engagement—e.g., close-quarters combat in operations like Operation Overlord—and evidentiary corroboration from contemporaneous records, after-action reports, and testimony from individuals such as commanders at the level of General of the Army or service secretaries.

Design and Insignia

The Army Medal of Honor's design features a gold five-pointed star surrounded by a green laurel wreath suspended from a light blue neck ribbon with white stars, distinct from the Navy and Air Force versions. The obverse bears an allegorical figure of Minerva and scenes derived from classical iconography; the reverse contains inscriptions and space for engraving recipient details. Manufacturing and appearance standards have been influenced by artisans and firms such as Tiffany & Co. during the 19th century, and subsequent redesigns were authorized by the War Department (United States) and later the Department of the Army. Accompanying insignia include a suspension bar, lapel button for civilian wear, and a ribbon bar for uniform display governed by Army Regulation 670-1. The award is worn in precedence above other decorations such as the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star.

Awarding Process and Presentation

The nomination process begins with a recommendation from a commander and proceeds through formal channels including staff judge advocate review and documentation by units such as the United States Army Center of Military History. Boards convened by the Secretary of the Army review evidence and forward approved nominations to the Secretary of Defense and then to the President of the United States for final approval and presentation. Presentations have occurred at venues including the White House, Arlington National Cemetery, and ceremonial settings hosted by senior leaders like the Secretary of the Army, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or the Chief of Staff of the Army. Investiture ceremonies often include participation by members of Congress, representatives of veteran organizations such as the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans, and the recipient’s unit leadership. Presidentally signed citations accompany the medal, and recipients may be eligible for benefits administered by agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs and entitlements under statutes codified by the Congress of the United States.

Notable Recipients and Examples

Notable Army recipients include soldiers recognized for actions at the Battle of Little Bighorn era, storied World War II figures from Easy Company (506th PIR) at Carentan, Korean War standouts at Pusan Perimeter, Vietnam War heroes from operations like Operation Apache Snow, and modern awardees from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Famous names among recipients include Audie Murphy (World War II), Alvin C. York (World War I), Dwight D. Eisenhower is not a recipient but contemporaneously associated with campaigns; recipients also include Desmond Doss (recognized by Army pathways despite service with United States Army Air Forces roots), David H. Petraeus is not a recipient, whereas valor awardees such as Cpl. Tibor Rubin and Sgt. Alvin P. York exemplify historical citations. The list of recipients spans diverse backgrounds and theaters, and review boards have revisited cases for veterans from groups including Nisei units, African American servicemembers associated with units like the Buffalo Soldiers, and Native American scouts from the 19th century.

Posthumous Awards and Policy Changes

Posthumous awards have been common when actions resulted in the death of the service member; statutes and policy updates by the Department of Defense and acts of Congress have clarified posthumous eligibility and next-of-kin presentation procedures. High-profile posthumous citations arose after World War II reviews and the Vietnam era, prompting legislative remedies and executive review mechanisms overseen by officials such as the Secretary of the Army and the President of the United States. Amendments to award time limits and remedial reviews have allowed retroactive recognitions for veterans of conflicts including World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, sometimes prompted by advocacy from organizations like the National Veterans Legal Services Program and legislative inquiries by committees such as the United States House Committee on Armed Services and the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services.

Category:United States Army awards Category:Military decorations of the United States