belated March 25th - National Medal of Honor Day

amoLucia · Mar 27, 2018

Designated as this nation's highest and most prestigious military award, the Congressional Medal of Honor was awarded on March 25, 1863 to veteran recipients of the US Civil War.

Prior to this date, medals had been awarded for previous service circa the American Revolutionary War and other post conflicts as a Badge of Military Merit, Medal of Valor, Certificate of Merit and other awards.

Designed for the Army, it's undergone a few revisions to become 3 versions, one for the Army, one for the Air Force and one for the Navy (1915) which also includes Marines and the Coast Guard recipients. The medal, a five-pointed inverted star, with a laurel wreath, has worn a ribbon necklace since 1944.

To date, above 3500 Medals have been presented. Over the years, many medals were bestowed, many were rescinded, and one was restored as the criteria for service medal recognition evolved. And this medal eligibility has also significantly changed with time.

Only one Coast Guardsman, Seaman First Class, Douglas Munro earned his award for evacuation of Marines during the Battle of Guadalcanal. And only one woman has ever received the award. A civilian volunteer Union surgeon, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, was arrested for treason as a spy during surgery with a Confederate physician. She became a POW and was released during a prisoner exchange with the Confederate Army. It was her medal that was restored by President Jimmy Carter in 1977.

The award as we know it today is awarded to those military for 'conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty'. There is a high honors civilian award.

With the Medal's presentation, comes an enhanced retirement benefit, travel concessions, burial at Arlington National Cemetery with full military burial honors, and other privileges for the recipient.

But with its honors, also comes penalties for fraudulent manufacture, usage by non-recipients, altered, and it may not be bought, sold, traded or bartered.

The MOH has been seen in movies and even two episodes of NCIS.

With this posting, like my other for Iwo Jima Day, I repeat that I offer this information in my effort to see that a small piece of military history is made available for general FYI. I maintain that I am no researcher, no historian, no biographer. I hope that my information is as reliable as possible. But I would encourage anyone to read on further as the mood hits. There is some very interesting and informative readings out there. I suggest Wikipedia for further reading.