United States Medal of Honor

United States Medal of Honor
Name	Medal of Honor
Caption	Army version of the Medal of Honor
Presented by	United States Department of Defense
Type	Military decoration
Established	1861
First awarded	1863

United States Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. It is presented to members of the United States Armed Forces and has been awarded during conflicts such as the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, with notable recipients drawn from branches including the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force.

History

The decoration originated during the American Civil War with separate versions for the United States Navy and United States Army, influenced by earlier honors like the Badge of Military Merit and legislative acts of the United States Congress. Early recipients included sailors from engagements such as the Battle of Mobile Bay and soldiers from campaigns like the Siege of Vicksburg, with institutional changes enacted through statutes during the administrations of presidents including Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant. Revisions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries altered criteria after reviews involving figures such as Theodore Roosevelt and committees convened by the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives.

Eligibility and Criteria

Eligibility is limited to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves in action against an enemy, with specific statutes codified by United States Code and overseen by the Department of Defense and service secretaries like the Secretary of the Army, Secretary of the Navy, and Secretary of the Air Force. Criteria require a degree of valor compared to other decorations such as the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, and Air Force Cross, and are assessed relative to actions in engagements including the Battle of Gettysburg, D-Day, and the Battle of Fallujah. Posthumous awards have been conferred for actions involving individuals such as those in the Bataan Death March and events like the USS Cole bombing.

Types and Designs

There are service-specific versions: the Medal of Honor (Army), the Medal of Honor (Navy), and the Medal of Honor (Air Force), each featuring distinctive suspender designs, ribbons, and imagery referencing battles like Gettysburg and figures such as Minerva and iconography reminiscent of medals like the Victoria Cross. Variants include presentation, wearable, and miniature forms issued for ceremonies at venues such as the White House and museums like the National Museum of the United States Army and the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Design changes over time involved artisans and institutions including the U.S. Mint and designers associated with Benjamin Franklin-era motifs.

Awarding Process

Nominations typically begin with unit commanders and pass through chains of command including commanders of units involved in actions at locales like Iwo Jima and Khe Sanh, with review by service boards, the Department of the Navy, the Department of the Army, and ultimately approval by the President of the United States and authorization by Congressional notification. Investigations may reference operational reports from commands such as X Corps or fleets like the United States Pacific Fleet, and include witness statements from service members, civilian contractors, and allied personnel from forces like the British Army or Australian Defence Force when actions occurred in coalition operations.

Notable Recipients and Actions

Recipients span from 19th-century figures such as Joshua L. Chamberlain and David G. Farragut to 20th-century heroes like Audie Murphy, Chesty Puller, Douglas MacArthur (note: context-specific citations), and Ted Williams (note: context-specific citations), and 21st-century awardees from conflicts in Iraq War and War in Afghanistan (2001–2021). Actions recognized include assaults during the Battle of the Bulge, rescue operations during the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) sinking, and ground engagements like those in Marjah and Anbar Province, involving individuals such as Travis Atkins, Dakota Meyer, Salvatore Giunta, Michael Monsoor, and Ryan Pitts.

Legal Protections and Benefits

Legal protections and benefits associated with the decoration involve statutes administered by agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, pension provisions in the United States Code, burial honors at sites such as Arlington National Cemetery, and privileges involving ceremonies at the White House and roles in organizations such as the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Benefits can include precedence in military parades, access to veterans’ services coordinated with the Veterans Health Administration, and interactions with congressional offices including those of committees like the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Controversies and Revisions

Controversies have arisen over standards, rescinded awards, and upgrades such as reviews leading to posthumous awards for individuals affected by racial or political bias during eras like Reconstruction and World War II, involving cases reviewed by bodies such as the Congressional Medal of Honor Review Board and hearings in the United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Debates have involved incidents like the 1917 review that revoked earlier awards, congressional interventions for veterans from the Korean War and Vietnam War, and modern reassessments prompted by advocacy from descendants, historians at institutions like the Smithsonian Institution, and legislators from delegations including Senator John McCain and Representative John Lewis.

Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States