Medal of Honor Recipients
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Awarded by the President, in the name of Congress, the Medal of Honor commemorates those who have shaped our nation’s history and continue to inspire its future with their acts of valor, humanity, patriotism, and sacrifice. Of the 40 million Americans who have served in the Armed Forces since the Civil War, only 3,528 have earned the Medal of Honor.
For an act to be considered for the Medal of Honor, it must be in combat and involve the risk of the service member’s life. The act must be so outstanding that it clearly distinguishes gallantry beyond the call of duty and must be the type of deed which, if not done, would not result in any justified criticism.
The standards to award the Medal of Honor have evolved over time, but the Medal has always stood for actions that go above and beyond. The current criteria were established in 1963 during the Vietnam War.
The Medal is authorized for any military service member who “distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
- While engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
- While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
- While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.”
Visit The Congressional Medal of Honor Society
To learn more about the individual recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, visit the Congressional Medal of Honor Society website. There you can search the recipient database and learn about their Stories of Sacrifice for our country.