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History of the Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor ribbon

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the United States Congress on members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States." Read more

Medal of Honor Fact Sheet

Medal of Honor Statistics

Types of Medals

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor has evolved in appearance since its creation in 1862. The present 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 by a hook to a light blue moiré silk neckband. There is a version of the medal for each sub-cabinet component of the Department of Defense: the Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, and Department of the Air Force. Read more

Podcasts

The Pritzker Military Library's Executive Producer, Ed Tracy, hosts live, monthly interviews with recipients of the Medal of Honor. Each program can be seen online at The Pritzker Military Library.

Tribute to our Editor

James S. Vlasto, the editor of Medal of Honor News, was dedicated to preserving the history of our war heroes and to spreading awareness about the Medal of Honor and those brave veterans who served in our armed forces.
Some people, believe me, don’t know what the Medal of Honor is, I run across it all the time,” he said.
Read More

Remarks by President Trump at the Presentation of the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Ronald J. Shurer II

East Room 3:08 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Please. And thank you Chaplain Hurley. Thank you to Vice President Mike Pence for joining us for today’s ceremony. Today, it’s my privilege to award the Congressional Medal of Honor to an Army Special Forces medic who now serves in the United States Secret Read more

  • October 5, 2018
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President Donald Trump awards the Medal of Honor to former Army Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer II for actions in Afghanistan

President Donald J. Trump presented the Medal of Honor to former Staff Sgt. Ronald Shurer II at a ceremony Monday, for his heroic actions during an operation in Shok Valley, Afghanistan. Shurer, who serves as a member of the Secret Service Counter Assault Team, and his wife Miranda, were invited to the White House to Read more

  • October 5, 2018
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Remarks by President Trump at the Presentation of the Medal of Honor to Technical Sergeant John A. Chapman, U.S. Air Force

East Room 3:41 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Please be seated. Thank you. Thank you, Chaplain. Very well done. Beautiful. We’re honored to be joined by members of Congress, military leaders, distinguished guests from all across our nation. I want to recognize Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson. Thank y... Read more

  • August 23, 2018
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Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Chapman Posthumously Awarded the Medal of Honor

President Donald Trump posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to the family of a fallen U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Combat Controller at a ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 22, for his extraordinary heroism in March 2002 while deployed to Afghanistan. According to the medal nomination, Tech. Sergeant John Chapman distinguishe... Read more

  • August 23, 2018
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News

Remarks by President Trump at the Presentation of the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Ron...

East Room 3:08 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Please. And thank you Chaplain Hurley. Thank you to Vice... Read more

  • October 5, 2018
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President Donald Trump awards the Medal of Honor to former Army Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shure...

President Donald J. Trump presented the Medal of Honor to former Staff Sgt. Ronald Shurer II at a ceremony Monday, f... Read more

  • October 5, 2018
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Remarks by President Trump at the Presentation of the Medal of Honor to Technical Sergeant...

East Room 3:41 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Please be seated. Thank you. Thank you, Chaplain. Very w... Read more

  • August 23, 2018
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Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Chapman Posthumously Awarded the Medal of Honor

President Donald Trump posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to the family of a fallen U.S. Air Force Special Tact... Read more

  • August 23, 2018
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President Trump Presents the Medal of Honor to Army First Lieutenant Garlin Murl Conner

President Trump Presents the Medal of Honor – Army First Lieutenant Garlin Murl Conner Transcript THE PRESIDEN... Read more

  • July 2, 2018
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MOH News Honors Fallen Service Members for Memorial Day

The annual 150th National Memorial Day Observance to honor America’s fallen military service members is scheduled fo... Read more

  • May 28, 2018
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Marine Medal of Honor recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams to help fundraiser fo...

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Tribune News Service) — Hershel “Woody” Williams, the last surviving Marine awarded a M... Read more

  • May 26, 2018
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News

President Donald J. Trump presents the Medal of Honor to retired Navy Master Chief Petty O...

President Donald J. Trump presents the Medal of Honor to retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Britt K. Slabinski ... Read more

  • May 24, 2018
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Remarks by President Trump at the Presentation of the Medal of Honor to Master Chief Britt...

East Room 2:38 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, Chaplain. That’s beautiful. And thank you to Deputy Secr... Read more

  • May 24, 2018
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Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient Navy Capt. Thomas J. Hudner Jr. honored at Battleship ...

FALL RIVER, Mass. (Tribune News Service) — An event called “An Evening to Remember” held at Herita... Read more

  • May 18, 2018
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President Trump to Award the Medal of Honor to Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Britt...

On Thursday, May 24, 2018, President Donald J. Trump will award the Medal of Honor to Master Chief Special Warfare O... Read more

  • May 7, 2018
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Okinawa unit renames its headquarters after Medal of Honor recipient Cpl. Louis Hauge

Marines and sailors on Okinawa renamed a building to honor a Medal of Honor recipient who fought and died on the isl... Read more

  • May 1, 2018
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NavyNews

New ship pays tribute to Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Richard M. McCool Jr.

  The Navy is naming its newest amphibious transport dock ship after a Medal of Honor recipient who helped save... Read more

  • March 3, 2018
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News

Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient Wesley Fox Dies at 86

WASHINGTON — Marine Corps Col. Wesley Fox, who received the Medal of Honor for successfully leading his compan... Read more

  • December 1, 2017
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ArmyNews

Medal of Honor Recipient Capt. Mike Rose Inducted Into Hall of Heroes [Speech]

Retired Army Capt. Gary M. Rose, a Medal of Honor recipient, is inducted into the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes during a... Read more

  • October 29, 2017
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Remarks by President Trump at Presentation of Medal of Honor to Captain Gary Michael Rose,...

East Room 3:27 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, Chaplain Hurley. Vice President Pence, Secretary Shulkin... Read more

  • October 24, 2017
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Older posts

Medal of Honor Statistics

Total Recipients: 3,503
Living Recipients: 72
Double Recipients: 19
Most Recent: Staff Sergeant Ronald J. Shurer II

New Book


The Unknowns: The Untold Story of America’s Unknown Soldier and WWI’s Most Decorated Heroes Who Brought Him Home

Celebrated military historian and bestselling author Patrick O’Donnell illuminates the saga behind the creation of the Tomb itself and recreates the moving ceremony during which it was consecrated and the eight Body Bearers, and the sergeant who had chosen the one body to be interred, solemnly united. Brilliantly researched, vividly told, The Unknowns is a timeless tale of heeding the calls of duty and brotherhood, and humanizes the most consequential event of the twentieth century, which still casts a shadow a century later.

Buy on Amazon

Featured Video

Paul W. Bucha, Medal of Honor recipient, Vietnam 1968, keynote speaker at the dedication of the statue of World War II Medal of Honor recipient Homer L. Wise, May 26, 2013, Stamford, CT

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Medal of Honor Websites

Congressional Medal of Honor Society
On August 5, 1958 President Dwight Eisenhower signed legislation sent to him by Congress chartering the Congressional Medal of Honor Society... Visit Website

Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation
Perpetuating a Legacy of Courage, Sacrifice and Patriotism... Visit Website

Home of HeroesHome of Heroes
Preserving the History of Recipients of the Medal of Honor Visit Website

History MiltaryU.S Army Center of Military History
Full list of Medal of Honor citations courtesy of the United States Army Visit Website

History MiltaryU.S. Department of Defense
A Brief History of the Medal of Honor Visit Website

Pritzker LibraryThe Pritzker Military Library
Medal of Honor with Ed Tracy Visit Website

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