Liberty is dearly bought, continually paid for and difficult to keep.

As the award citation includes the phrase "in the name of Congress" the Medal of Honor is many times erroneously called the Congressional Medal of Honor.   However, the official title is simply the Medal of Honor.

The Medal of Honor is the highest Military Decoration awarded by the United States of America.  It was first awarded in the American Civil War and last awarded on 12 July 2011.   The total Medals of Honor to date are 3,474 with 627 of those being posthumous.

Precedence...

Next higher Award ....... None

Next lowest Award............
    Army --- Distinguished Service Cross
    Navy --- Navy Cross
    Marine Corps --- Navy Cross
    Air Force ---  Air Force Cross
    Coast Guard --- Navy Cross

 

History of the MEDAL OF HONOR

Valor is a gift. Those having it never know for sure they will have it till the test comes. And those having it in one test never know for sure if they will have it when the next test comes.            
                                                                                        Carl Sandburg

 

For those who have valiantly engaged themselves in war, Sandberg's reflections ring true. Bravery among personnel is not uncommon; in fact, it can be argued that all soldiers demonstrate courage in combat, even if others never witness their acts.

But there are great acts of military valor that do not go unnoticed. These are recognized by the President  in the name of Congress with the highest military honor that can be bestowed upon any American.

On December 9, 1861, Iowa Senator James W. Grimes introduced Senate Bill No. 82 in the United States Senate, a bill designed to "promote the efficiency of the Navy by authorizing the production and distribution of "medals of honor".  On December 21st the bill was passed, authorizing 200 such medals be produced "which shall be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen and marines as shall distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action and other seamanlike qualities during the present war (Civil War)."  President Lincoln signed the bill and the (Navy) Medal of Honor was born.

Two months later on February 17, 1862, Massachusetts Senator Henry Wilson introduced a similar bill, this one to authorize "the President to distribute medals to privates in the Army of the United States who shall distinguish themselves in battle."  Over the following months wording changed slightly as the bill made its way through Congress. When President Abraham Lincoln signed S.J.R. No 82 into law as Stat. 623-624 on July 14, 1862, the Army Medal of Honor was born. It read in part:

"Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized to cause two thousand "medals of honor" be prepared with suitable emblematic devices, and to direct the same be presented, in the name of the Congress, to such non-commissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldier-like qualities, during the present insurrection (Civil War).

Though there are myriad military heroes, many unsung, the Medal of Honor sets specific provisions for recipients. At least two eyewitnesses must provide "incontestable evidence" to a deed that proves to "be so outstanding, that it clearly distinguishes gallantry beyond the call of duty from lesser forms of bravery, involve the risk of life, and be the type of deed, which, if not done, would not subject the recipient to any unjustified criticism".

Over the years, the Medal of Honor's parameters have undergone revisions to ensure it is justly bestowed upon those who merit it, even if this is done in a belated fashion. It took nearly 60 years, for example, for 29 African-American and Asian-American heroes to be recognized for their actions in World War II. They were finally honored, many posthumously, at ceremonies at the White House in 1997 and 2000. There have also been cases where medals were rescinded and then reinstated, mistakenly awarded, and even abused by recipients.

On rare occasions, the Medal of Honor has been issued of individual acts of bravery during peacetime. Capt. Charles A. Lindbergh, for example received the medal for his "heroic courage and skills as a navigator, at the risk of his life, for his nonstop flight in his airplane from New York to Paris, France, 20-21 May 1927."

Part 2 of the Medal of Honor story will be in next month's Senior News.