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Although the Badge of Military Merit fell into disuse after the [[American Revolutionary War]], the idea of a decoration for individual gallantry remained through the early 1800s. In 1847, after the outbreak of the [[Mexican-American War]], a [[Certificate of Merit Medal|Certificate of Merit]] was established for any soldier who distinguished himself in action. The certificate was later granted medal status as the [[Certificate of Merit Medal]].
Although the Badge of Military Merit fell into disuse after the [[American Revolutionary War]], the idea of a decoration for individual gallantry remained through the early 1800s. In 1847, after the outbreak of the [[Mexican-American War]], a [[Certificate of Merit Medal|Certificate of Merit]] was established for any soldier who distinguished himself in action. The certificate was later granted medal status as the [[Certificate of Merit Medal]].


Early in the Civil War, a medal for individual valor was proposed to [[Winfield Scott]], the [[Commanding General of the United States Army]]. Scott did not approve the proposal, but such a medal found support in Secretary of the Navy, [[Gideon Welles]].<ref name="typessecnav"> {{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.cmohs.org/medal/medal_types.htm | title = Types of the Medal of Honor: 1862 To Present | format = | work = | publisher = Congressional Medal of Honor Society | accessdate = 23 Jul | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> Public Resolution 82, containing a provision for a Navy Medal of Valor, was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on [[December 21]], [[1861]]. The medal was "to be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen, and Marines as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry and other seamanlike qualities during the present war."<ref name="pbs"> {{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.pbs.org/weta/americanvalor/history/ | title = History of the Medal | format = | work = | publisher = Public Broadcasting System | accessdate = 23 Jul | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> Shortly after this, a resolution similar in wording was introduced on behalf of the Army. Signed into law on [[July 12]], [[1862]], the measure provided for awarding a Medal of Honor: "to such [[noncommissioned officer]]s and [[Private (rank)|privates]] as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldier-like qualities, during the present [[insurrection]]."<ref name="pbs" />
Early in the Civil War, a medal for individual valor was proposed to [[Winfield Scott]], the [[Commanding General of the United States Army]]. Scott did not approve the proposal, but such a medal did enter service in the Navy. Public Resolution 82, containing a provision for a Navy Medal of Valor, was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on [[December 21]], [[1861]]. The medal was "to be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen, and Marines as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry and other seamanlike qualities during the present war."<ref name="pbs"> {{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.pbs.org/weta/americanvalor/history/ | title = History of the Medal | format = | work = | publisher = Public Broadcasting System | accessdate = 23 Jul | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> [[United States Secretary of the Navy|Secretary of the Navy]] [[Gideon Welles]] directed the [[Philadelphia Mint]] to design the new decoration.<ref name="typessecnav"> {{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.cmohs.org/medal/medal_types.htm | title = Types of the Medal of Honor: 1862 To Present | format = | work = | publisher = Congressional Medal of Honor Society | accessdate = 23 Jul | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> Shortly afterward, a resolution similar in wording was introduced on behalf of the Army. Signed into law on [[July 12]], [[1862]], the measure provided for awarding a Medal of Honor: "to such [[noncommissioned officer]]s and [[Private (rank)|privates]] as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldier-like qualities, during the present [[insurrection]]."<ref name="pbs" />


==Appearance==
==Appearance==

Revision as of 02:57, 24 July 2006

This article is about the U.S. military award. For the computer and video game series, see Medal of Honor series.
Medal of Honor
Three different versions of the Medal of Honor are awarded: one each for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
TypeSingle-grade neck order
EligibilityMilitary personnel only
StatusCurrently awarded
Precedence
Next (higher)None
Next (lower)Army - Distinguished Service Cross
Navy - Navy Cross
Air Force - Air Force Cross

The Medal of Honor, sometimes incorrectly referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor because the President presents the award "in the name of Congress",[2] is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. It is bestowed upon a member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself "...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...".[1]

Since it was first awarded during the American Civil War, the medal has been presented 3,460 times, most recently in 2005. Members of all branches of the U.S. military are eligible to receive the medal, and each service has its unique design. The Medal of Honor is often presented personally to the recipient or, in the case of posthumous awards, to survivors, by the President of the United States. Due to its high stature, the medal has special protection under United States law.[3]

The Medal of Honor is a military award that is worn around the neck, as is the commander's degree of the Legion of Merit. The highest civilian decorations are the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. The Congressional Space Medal of Honor is a separate, inequivalent award.

Origin

The first formal system for rewarding acts of individual gallantry by American soldiers was established by George Washington on August 7, 1782 when he created the Badge of Military Merit, designed to recognize "any singularly meritorious action." This decoration is considered America's first combat award and the second oldest American military decoration of any type, after the Fidelity Medallion.[1][4][5]

Although the Badge of Military Merit fell into disuse after the American Revolutionary War, the idea of a decoration for individual gallantry remained through the early 1800s. In 1847, after the outbreak of the Mexican-American War, a Certificate of Merit was established for any soldier who distinguished himself in action. The certificate was later granted medal status as the Certificate of Merit Medal.

Early in the Civil War, a medal for individual valor was proposed to Winfield Scott, the Commanding General of the United States Army. Scott did not approve the proposal, but such a medal did enter service in the Navy. Public Resolution 82, containing a provision for a Navy Medal of Valor, was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on December 21, 1861. The medal was "to be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen, and Marines as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry and other seamanlike qualities during the present war."[6] Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles directed the Philadelphia Mint to design the new decoration.[7] Shortly afterward, a resolution similar in wording was introduced on behalf of the Army. Signed into law on July 12, 1862, the measure provided for awarding a Medal of Honor: "to such noncommissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldier-like qualities, during the present insurrection."[6]

Appearance

Early Army versions of the Medal of Honor.
Early Navy versions of the Medal of Honor.

The Medal of Honor has evolved in appearance since its creation in 1862. The present day Army medal consists of a gold star surrounded by a wreath, topped by an eagle on a bar inscribed with the word "Valor." The medal is attached to a thick blue ribbon, which is worn around the neck.[8]

There are versions of the medal for each major branch of the U.S. armed forces: the Army, Navy and Air Force. Since the U.S. Marine Corps is administratively a part of the Department of the Navy, Marines receive the Navy medal. Prior to 1965 when the U.S. Air Force design was adopted, members of the U.S. Army Air Corps, U.S. Army Air Forces, and Air Force received the Army version of the medal.[7]

The Coast Guard Medal of Honor, which was distinguished from the Navy medal in 1963, has never been awarded, partly because the U.S. Coast Guard is subsumed into the U.S. Navy in time of declared war. No design yet exists for it. Only one member of the Coast Guard has ever received a Medal of Honor, Signalman 1st Class Douglas Munro, who was awarded the Navy version of the medal for action during the Battle of Guadalcanal. The Coast Guard was originally part of the Department of the Treasury, and then the Department of Transportation in peacetime, but was reassigned to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in peacetime in 2003.

In the rare cases (19 so far) where a service member has been awarded more than one Medal of Honor, regulations specify that an appropriate award device be centered on the MOH ribbon and neck medal. To indicate multiple presentations of the Medal of Honor the U.S. Army and Air Force bestow oak leaf clusters, while the Navy Medal of Honor is worn with gold award stars.

Medal of Honor Ribbon Bar
Medal of Honor Rosette

On a ribbon bar the Medal of Honor ribbon is the first ribbon (top left when seen on the uniform). The ribbon bar is the same blue as the neck ribbon, and it includes five white stars, pointed upwards, in the shape of an "M." For civilian wear, a rosette is issued instead of a miniature lapel pin (which usually shows the ribbon bar). The rosette is the same blue as the neck ribbon and also includes white stars. The ribbon bar and rosette are presented at the same time as the neck ribbon. On special occasions, the medal can be worn on civilian attire.[9]

Flag

Medal of Honor Flag

Both houses of Congress and President George W. Bush approved the awarding of a Medal of Honor flag to recipients awarded the medal after the law's enactment on October 23, 2002 by enacting Public Law 107-248, Section 8143.[10] The first Medal of Honor recipient to receive the official flag was Paul R. Smith. The flag was cased and presented to his family, along with his Medal of Honor.[11]

The flag was designed by Bill Kendall of Jefferson, Iowa, in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Army Air Forces Captain Darrell Lindsey, also of Jefferson, who died in action during World War II. Kendall's flag design, of a sky blue background, was altered by Sarah LeClerc of the Institute of Heraldry, who removed the words "Medal of Honor" and added a gold fringe. Thirteen white five-pointed stars are arranged as on the current ribbon of the Medal of Honor, in six rows of 1, 2, 3, 2, 3 and 2. The flag has no set proportions.[12]

Awarding the medal

There are two distinct means of being approved for the Medal of Honor. The first and most common is nomination by a service member in the chain of command followed by approval at each level of command. The other method is nomination by a member of Congress (generally at the request of a constituent) and approval by a special act of Congress. In either case, the Medal of Honor is presented by the President on behalf of the Congress. Although commonplace, the use of the term "Congressional Medal of Honor" is incorrect, since the proper name of the award is the Medal of Honor. [13] The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is so named because the Society was created by Congress.[14]

Evolution of criteria

President Abraham Lincoln signed Public Resolution 82 into law by on December 21, 1861, containing a provision for a Navy medal of valor. A similar resolution for the Army passed one year later. Six Union soldiers who hijacked the General, a Confederate locomotive became the first recipients. Raid leader James J. Andrews, a civilian hanged as a Union spy, did not get the medal because it was originally given only to enlisted men. Army officers first received them in 1891 and Naval officers in 1915. Many Medals of Honor awarded in the 19th century were associated with saving the flag, not just for patriotic reasons, but because the flag was a primary means of battlefield communication. During the Civil War, no other military award was authorized, which explains some of the less-notable actions being awarded the Medal of Honor. The criteria for the award tightened after World War I. Since the beginning of World War II, there have been only 852 medals awarded, 526 of them posthumously. In the post-World War II era, many of those awarded might be instead awarded a Silver Star, Navy Cross or similar award. In all, 3460 Medals of Honor have been awarded.[8]

During the Civil War, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton was in a bind for troops. He promised a Medal of Honor to every man in the 27th Regiment, Maine Infantry who extended his enlistment beyond the agreed upon date. Many stayed four days extra, and then were discharged. Due to confusion, Stanton awarded a Medal of Honor to all 864 men in the regiment.[15]

In 1916, a board of five Army generals convened, by law, to review every Army Medal of Honor awarded. The commission, led by Nelson Miles, recommended that the Army rescind 911 medals. This included the 864 medals awarded to members of the 27th Maine, 29 who served as Abraham Lincoln's funeral guard, six civilians (including Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, the only woman to ever be awarded the medal, and Buffalo Bill Cody), and 12 others whose awards were judged frivolous. Dr. Walker's medal was restored posthumously by President Jimmy Carter in 1977.[15]

The Tiffany Cross

The Navy, early in the 20th century, awarded many Medals of Honor for peacetime bravery. For instance, seven sailors aboard the USS Iowa received the medal when a boiler exploded on January 25, 1904. Aboard the USS Chicago in 1901, John Henry Helms received the medal for saving Ishi Tomizi, the ship's cook, from drowning. Even after World War I, Richard Byrd and Floyd Bennett received the medal for exploration of the North Pole.[16] Thomas John Ryan received it for saving a woman from the burning Grand Hotel in Yokohama, Japan following the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake.[17]

Between 1919 and 1942, the Navy issued two separate versions of the Medal of Honor, one for non-combat bravery and the other for combat-related acts. Official accounts vary, but presumably the combat Medal of Honor was known as the "Tiffany Cross", after the company that manufactured the medal. "The Tiffany" was first issued in 1919, but was rare and unpopular, partly because it was presented both for combat and noncombat events. As a result, the United States Navy reverted to a single Medal of Honor, awarded only for heroism, in 1942.[18]

Since the beginning of World War II, the medal has been awarded for extreme bravery beyond the call of duty, where a service member consistently and persistently put his comrades' safety foremost, while engaged in action against an enemy. Due to these criteria, approximately 60% of the medals earned during and after World War II have been awarded posthumously.[19] Capt. William McGonagle is an exception to the enemy action rule, earning his medal during the alleged friendly fire USS Liberty incident.[20][21]

Before the posthumous awarding of the Medal of Honor in 2005 to Paul R. Smith, the medal was last awarded for actions during the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993, when MSG Gary Gordon and SFC Randy Shughart lost their lives defending downed Black Hawk helicopter pilot CWO Michael Durant. Only three Medals of Honor have been awarded for actions since the Vietnam War.[2][11][22] On at least two occiassions since the Vietnam War, past heroism was recognized and previous awards have been upgraded to the Medal of Honor.[23][24]

Controversies

A 1993 study commissioned by the Army described systematic racial discrimination in the criteria for awarding medals during World War II.[23] At the time, no Medals of Honor had been awarded to black soldiers who served in World War II. After an exhaustive review of files the study recommended that several black Distinguished Service Cross recipients be upgraded to the Medal of Honor. On January 13, 1997, President Bill Clinton awarded the medal to seven African American World War II veterans. Of these, only Vernon Baker was still alive.[23] A similar study of Asian Americans in 1998 resulted in President Clinton awarding 21 new Medals of Honor in 2000, including 20 to Japanese American members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (one of whom was Senator Daniel Inouye).[24] In 2005, President George W. Bush awarded the Medal of Honor to Jewish veteran and Holocaust-camp survivor Tibor Rubin.

Authority and privileges

The grave of a recipient at the Normandy Cemetery and Memorial

The U.S. Army Medal of Honor was first authorized by joint resolution of Congress on July 12, 1862. The specific authorizing ordinance is found in U.S. Code, Title 10, Subtitle B, Part II, Chapter 357, Section 3741, effective Jan 26, 1998:

The President may award, and present in the name of Congress, a medal of honor of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who while a member of the Army, distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.[25]

Later authorizations created similar medals for other branches of the service.

The Medal of Honor confers special privileges on its recipients both by tradition and by law. By tradition, all other soldiers, sailors, and airmen, even higher-ranking officers all the way up to the President of the United States, initiate the salute. By law, awardees have several benefits: [26]

  • Each Medal of Honor awardee may have his name entered on the Medal of Honor Roll (38 U.S.C. § 1560). Each person whose name is placed on the Medal of Honor Roll is certified to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as being entitled to receive the special pension of $1027 per month. As of December 1, 2004, the pension is subject to cost-of-living increases.
  • Enlisted recipients of the Medal of Honor are entitled to a supplemental uniform allowance.
  • Recipients receive special entitlements to air transportation under the provisions of DOD Regulation 4515.13-R.
  • Special identification cards and commissary and exchange privileges are provided for Medal of Honor recipients and their eligible dependents.
  • Children of recipients are eligible for admission to the United States military academies without regard to the quota requirements.
  • Recipients get a 10% increase in retired pay under 10 U.S.C. § 3991, subject to the 75% limit on total retired pay.
  • Those awarded the Medal after October 23, 2002 also receive a Medal of Honor Flag. The law also specifies that all 143 living Medal of Honor recipients receive the flag also along with all future recipients.(14 U.S.C. § 505).
  • AR 670-1 section 30-5 'Wear of the uniform by Medal of Honor recipients': Personnel awarded the Medal of Honor may wear the Army uniform at their pleasure, except under the circumstances in paragraph 10-1.

Legal protection

The Medal of Honor is the only service decoration that cannot be privately bought, traded, or sold.[27][28] All Medals of Honor are issued in the original only, by the Department of Defense, to a recipient. Misuse of the medal, including unauthorized manufacture or wear, is punishable by fine and imprisonment pursuant to (18 U.S.C. § 704)(b).[3] After the Army redesigned their medal in 1903, a patent was issued (United States Patent #D37,236) to legally prevent others from making the medal. When the patent expired, the Federal government enacted a law making it illegal to produce, wear, or distribute the Medal of Honor without proper authority. Violators of this law have been prosecuted. In 2003 Edward and Gisela Fedora were charged with violating (18 U.S.C. § 704)(b) - Unlawful Sale of a Medal of Honor. They sold medals awarded to U.S. Navy Seaman Robert Blume (for action during the Spanish-American War) and to U.S. Army First Sergeant George Washington Roosevelt (for action during the Civil War) to an FBI agent.[29] Edward Fedora, a Candanian businessman,[30] pled guilty and was sentenced to prison.[31] Gisela Fedora's status is unknown.

Under United States Code, (18 U.S.C. § 704)(b), it is illegal to wear the Medal of Honor without authorization, one can still legally claim to be a recipient, unless such a claim is made with the intent of securing veteran benefits. A number of veteran organizations and private companies devote themselves to exposing those who falsely claim to have won the Medal of Honor.[32] Imposters are said to outnumber true Medal of Honor recipients. HLI Lordship Industries Inc., a former Medal of Honor contractor, was fined in 1996 for selling 300 fake Medals for $75 each.[27][28]

Recipients

A statue in Louisville, Kentucky honors the Kentuckians who have received the Medal of Honor.
Main article: List of Medal of Honor recipients

In total, 3,459 medals have been awarded to 3,440 different people. Nineteen men received a second award: 14 of these received two separate Medals for two separate actions, and five received both the Navy and the Army Medals of Honor for the same action. Since the beginning of World War II, 852 Medals of Honor have been awarded, 526 posthumously. In total, 615 had their Medals presented posthumously.[19]

The Army Medal of Honor was first awarded to Private Jacob Parrott during the American Civil War for his role in Andrews Raid and was last officially awarded on September 23, 2005 to Corporal Tibor Rubin, a concentration camp survivor from World War II, for actions that occurred during the Korean War.[33]

The only female Medal of Honor awardee was Mary Edwards Walker, a Civil War surgeon. Her medal was rescinded in 1917 along with many other non-combat awards. It was restored by President Jimmy Carter in 1977.[34]

While current regulations, (10 U.S.C. § 6241), beginning in 1918, explicitly state that recipients must be serving in the U.S. Armed Forces at the time of performing a valorous act that warrants the award of the Medal of Honor, exceptions have been made. For example, Mary Walker worked as a military contractor, and Charles Lindbergh, while a reserve member of the U.S. Army Air Corps, received his Medal of Honor as a civilian pilot. In addition, the Medal of Honor was presented to the British Unknown Warrior by General Pershing on October 17, 1921; later the U.S. Unknown Soldier was reciprocally awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest award for gallantry, on November 11, 1921. Apart from these few exceptions, Medals of Honor can only be awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces - although being a U.S. citizen is not a prerequisite. Sixty-one Canadians who were serving in the United States armed forces have been awarded the Medal of Honor, with a majority awarded for actions in the American Civil War. Since 1900, only four have been awarded to Canadians. [35] In the Vietnam War, Peter C. Lemon was the only Canadian recipient of the Medal of Honor.[36] As of 2005, there are 3,460 recipients of the Medal of Honor. [37][14]

By conflict
Conflict Awards Conflict Awards
Civil War 1,522 Indian Wars 426
Korean Expedition 15 Spanish-American War 110
Samoan Civil War 4 Philippine-American War 86
Boxer Rebellion 59 Mexican Expedition 56
Haiti (1915-1934) 8 Invasion of the Dominican Republic (1916) 3
World War I 124 Occupation of Nicaragua 2
World War II 464 Korean War 131
Vietnam War 245 Battle of Mogadishu 2
Iraq War 1 Peacetime 193
Unknown or Classified 9
By branch of service
Service Awards
Army 2401
Navy 745
Marines 296
Air Force 17
Coast Guard 1

Similar decorations

United States

The following United States decorations bear similar names to the Medal of Honor, but are separate awards with different criteria for issuance.

Several United States law enforcement decorations also bear the name "Medal of Honor". The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor, established by Congress in 2001, "the highest national award for valor by a pubic safety officer", is also is also awarded by the President.[38] The highest civilian honor of all, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, is also awarded by the President.[39][40]

Foreign awards

The following countries have high military awards similar to the Medal of Honor:

See also

The following obsolete military decorations were the highest in their country at the the time:

References

  1. ^ a b c "Section 578.4" (PDF). Army Regulations. Department of the Army. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b "President Presents Medal of Honor to Smith's Family". Army News. US Army. Retrieved 20 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b "18USC704(b)". US Code Collection. Cornell Law School. Retrieved 20 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "The Medal's History". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 21 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "The Badge Of Military Merit/The Purple Heart". US Army. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ a b "History of the Medal". Public Broadcasting System. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ a b "Types of the Medal of Honor: 1862 To Present". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ a b "The Medal". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 21 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "Ribbon and Rosette". homeofheroes.com. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Text "The Medal of Honor: 1862 to Present" ignored (help)
  10. ^ "Designation of the Medal of Honor Flag". US Code.gov. 23 Oct 2002. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ a b Cramer, Eric W. (29 March 2005). "First Medal of Honor flag to be presented". Army News Service. US Army. Retrieved 21 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Medal of Honor Flag". The Institute of Heraldry. US Army. Retrieved 21 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ (Boatner, Military Customs and Traditions. and Johnson, The Oxford Companion to American History.)
  14. ^ a b "Congressional Medal of Honor Society". Official Site. Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 20 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ a b "The Purge of 1917". homeofheroes.com. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "Floyd Bennett". Arlington National Cemetery. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "Medal of Honor Recipients, Interim Awards 1920-1940". Center for Military History. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "Types of the Medal of Honor: 1862 To Present". Navy Medal of Honor (1913). Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ a b "Medal of Honor Statistics". Center for Military History. US Army. May 2003. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ "USS Liberty". National Security Agency, Central Security Service. July 2003. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help) audio and transcripts
  21. ^ "USS Liberty". Naval Historical Center. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help) audio and transcripts
  22. ^ "Medal of Honor Recipients: Somalia". Center for Military History. US Army. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ a b c "World War II African American Medal of Honor Recipients". Center for Military History. US Army. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help) Cite error: The named reference "african" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  24. ^ a b "22 Asian-Pacific Americans Receive Medals of Honor". Center for Military History. US Army. 21 June 2000. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "Sec. 3741. Medal of honor: award". Washington Watchdog. Jan 26, 1998. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ "Medal of Honor: Benefits". neptune.spaceport.com. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ a b "Claiming POW Status". POW Network. Retrieved 21 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ a b "Company fined for selling fake Medals of Honor". US News. CNN. 4 Dec 1996. Retrieved 21 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ "Defendants Charged With Conspiracy to Sell Several Congressional Medals of Honor". Federal Burueau of Investigation. July 9, 2003. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ "Man Charged With Selling Medals of Honor". WHEC-TV 10 Rochester, NY. 2003. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ "Honoring Our Veterans". Federal Bureau of Investigation. May 28, 2004. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ Chozick, Amy. "Veterans' Web Sites Expose Pseudo Heroes, Phony Honors". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 20 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ "Corporal Tibor Rubin's MOH Citation". MOH Project. US Army. Retrieved 20 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ "Mary Edwards Walker". Women in History. Retrieved 23 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ "Canada honours winners of top U.S. medal". CBC News. 1 Jul 2005. Retrieved 20 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ "Thousands of Canadians, including a Medal of Honor winner, served with the U.S. military in Vietnam". Veterans With a Mission. Retrieved 20 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ "Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor". US Marine Corps. Retrieved 20 Jul. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ "Office of Justice Programs: Medal of Valor". U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved 2006-07-23.
  39. ^ Harry S. Truman (July 6, 1945). "Executive Order No. 9586. The Presidential Medal of Freedom". Retrieved 2006-07-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ^ John F. Kennedy (February 22, 1963). "Executive Order 11085. The Presidential Medal of Freedom". Retrieved 2006-07-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

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