Frequently Asked Questions
What are the guidelines for which the Medal of Honor could be awarded?
The guidelines for awarding the Medal have changed since the award was first established in 1862. The current guidelines were established by Congress on July 25, 1963. The current guidelines under which the Medal of Honor could be awarded are: 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 forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
Is it illegal to sell the Medal of Honor?
Yes. It is illegal to sell, wear, or manufacture any decorations or medals authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States. In General. - Whoever knowingly wears, manufactures, or sells any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, or the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration or medal, or any colorable imitation thereof, except when authorized under regulations made pursuant to law, shall be fined under this title (18 United State Code) or imprisoned not more than six months or both.
Who was the first Medal of Honor recipient?
Pvt. Jacob Parrott was the first of a group of 6 men awarded the Medal on March 25, 1863 for their actions in "The Great Locomotive Chase" in April 1862. They were the first ever to wear the Medal of Honor. However, the earliest actions for which the Medal was awarded took place before the Civil War had even begun. On February 13-14, 1861 in what is now Arizona, Bernard J.D. Irwin was an Assistant Surgeon in the Army when he voluntarily led a command of troops to relieve a surrounded detachment of the 7th Infantry. Irwin’s Medal was not awarded until January 24, 1894, over 30 years after he had performed his deed.
Has a woman ever been awarded the Medal of Honor?
Yes, Mary Walker was the only woman awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for her actions
throughout the Civil War. During the War, she served as an assistant surgeon in charge of female prisoners at Louisville, Ky, attended to the sick and wounded at the Battles of Bull Run (Manassas), Chickamauga, and Atlanta, and was a prisoner of war. Her medal was rescinded in 1917 because she was not in the military. President Carter restored her medal on 10 June 1977. There are, however, the names of two women on the Roll of Honor. During the Vietnam War Marine Captain Jay R. Vargas received the Medal of Honor. Before his award could be presented to him his mother passed away at home in Arizona. Vargas requested that his mother's name be engraved on the back of his Medal of Honor instead of his own. President Nixon honored that loving request and the name of M. Sando Vargas..Jay Vargas' mother..was added to the Honor Roll.
Who was the first African-American recipient of the Medal of Honor?
William Carney was the first African-American recipient. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 18, 1863 at Fort Wagner, SC. He received his medal for saving the American flag and planting it on the parapet and although wounded, holding it while the troops charged. When the Federal troops had to retreat under fire, Carney struggled back across the battlefield while being wounded twice more. Before turning over the colors to another survivor of the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry, Carney modestly said, "Boys, I only did my duty; the old flag never touched the ground!"
What was the last action that was recognized with the Medal of Honor?
The last action recognized with the Medal of Honor was on September 8, 2009. Dakota Meyer’s unit was en route to meet some village elders in eastern Afghanistan when they were ambushed. Meyer was hit with shrapnel but kept trying, while under fire, to find three missing Marines and one Navy Corpsman. When he reached them, they had been shot, but he managed to carry each of their bodies out so that they could be given a proper burial.
Who was the only Coast Guard Congressional Medal of Honor recipient?
Douglas Munro was the only Coast Guard recipient. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions as Officer-in-Charge of a group of Higgins boats, engaged in the evacuation of a Battalion of Marines trapped by enemy Japanese forces at Point Cruz, Guadalcanal, on September 27, 1942.
Have any Father and Sons both received the Medal of Honor?
Yes, two. First Lt. Arthur MacArthur (Civil War) received his medal for action at Missionary Ridge (Chattanooga) and his son General Douglas MacArthur (WWII) received his medal for action in the Phillipines. Theodore Roosevelt (Spanish-American War) received his medal for action at San Juan Hill and his son Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (World War II) received his medal for action at Normandy. The Medal has been presented to 5 sets of brothers.
How many double recipients are there?
There are nineteen double recipients. Five of the nineteen double recipients worked with the Army and were awarded both the Army and the Navy Medals of Honor for the same action during World War I. The remaining fourteen double recipients received their second Medals of Honor for a second heroic action. Legislation has since been enacted to prevent future double recipients.
Has any U.S. President received the Medal of Honor?
Theodore Roosevelt is the only President to receive the Medal of Honor. Although he was awarded for the Medal for his actions on San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War, the award was not approved until 2001. The sons of two Presidents have received Medals of Honor: Webb Cook Hayes (Philippine Insurrection) and Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (World War II).
Who were the youngest and oldest persons to ever receive the Medal of Honor?
The youngest person ever to receive the Medal of Honor was probably William "Willie" Johnston, who earned the Medal during the Civil War just prior to his 12th birthday and received his award 6 weeks after his 13th. The oldest recipient was probably General Douglas MacArthur who was 62 years old when he earned the Medal.