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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

President Donald J. Trump presents Army Master Sgt. Matthew Williams with the Medal of Honor

President Donald J. Trump presents Army Master Sgt. Matthew Williams with the Medal of Honor at the White House, Oct. 30, 2019 President Donald J. Trump awarded the nation’s highest combat medal to Master Sgt. Matthew O. Williams during a ceremony at the White House on Wednesday. Williams, a Green Beret weapons sergeant fro... Read more

  • October 30, 2019
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Medal of Honor recipient SSG Ronald J. Shurer II, dies at 41

Medal of Honor recipient Ronald Shurer dies after a lengthy struggle with lung cancer WASHINGTON D.C. – On May 14, 2020, SSG (R) Ronald J. Shurer II passed due to a lengthy illness. He was an American Hero, Medal of Honor Recipient, son, husband, and most important to him, a Father. Ronald J. Shurer II Read more

  • May 15, 2020
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Medal of Honor to former U.S. Army Staff Sgt David G. Bellavia

On Tuesday, June 25, 2019, President Donald J. Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to David G. Bellavia for conspicuous gallantry while serving as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army. Then-Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia received the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 10, 2004, while serving as a squad leader Read more

  • June 25, 2019
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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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News

Congressional Medal of Honor for Sergeant Major Thomas Payne, U.S. Army

On September 11, 2020, President Donald J. Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major Thomas P. Payne, Unite... Read more

  • September 13, 2020
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WWII Hero Staff Sgt. Henry E. “Red” Erwin Incredible Medal of Honor Story to B...

News from Military.com about Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Henry E. “Red” Erwin, the radio operato... Read more

  • August 20, 2020
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Vietnam War Hero SP4 Robert D. Law’s Medal Of Honor To National Museum In Arlington

This week, the family of  Specialist Four Robert D. Law, United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United St... Read more

  • July 20, 2020
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US Medal of Honor sold for more than $15,000 at German Auction House

A Medal of Honor awarded to a U.S. Army private for a heroic rescue during the Spanish-American War will be auctione... Read more

  • May 30, 2020
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Medal of Honor recipient SSG Ronald J. Shurer II, dies at 41

Medal of Honor recipient Ronald Shurer dies after a lengthy struggle with lung cancer WASHINGTON D.C. – On May 14, 2... Read more

  • May 15, 2020
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Medal of Honor Recipient Bennie G. Adkins Passes Away at 86

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announces that Bennie G. Adkins, Medal of Honor recipient, passed away Frid... Read more

  • April 30, 2020
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President Donald J. Trump presents Army Master Sgt. Matthew Williams with the Medal of Hon...

President Donald J. Trump presents Army Master Sgt. Matthew Williams with the Medal of Honor at the White House, Oct... Read more

  • October 30, 2019
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Francis Currey, World war II Medal of Honor Recipient, Dies at 94

Members of the New York Army National Guard provided final honors for Francis S. Currey, New York’s last survi... Read more

  • October 16, 2019
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Medal of Honor to former U.S. Army Staff Sgt David G. Bellavia

On Tuesday, June 25, 2019, President Donald J. Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to David G. Bellavia for conspicuous... Read more

  • June 25, 2019
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Medal of Honor for Staff Sergeant Travis W. Atkins, U.S. Army

On Wednesday, March 27, 2019, President Donald J. Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Travis W. Atkin... Read more

  • March 27, 2019
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Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major John L. Canley, United States Marine Corps (Retired)

On Wednesday, October 17, 2018, President Donald J. Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major John L. Canle... Read more

  • October 17, 2018
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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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Older posts

Medal of Honor Statistics

Total Recipients: 3,508
Living Recipients: 69
Double Recipients: 19
Most Recent: MATTHEW O. WILLIAMS




New Book

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

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

Trending

Congressional Medal of Honor for Sergeant Major Thomas Payne...

  • September 13, 2020
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WWII Hero Staff Sgt. Henry E. “Red” Erwin Incred...

  • August 20, 2020
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Vietnam War Hero SP4 Robert D. Law’s Medal Of Honor To...

  • July 20, 2020
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US Medal of Honor sold for more than $15,000 at German Aucti...

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Connecticut Senator Blumenthal’s Legislation Helps Cle...

  • December 12, 2016
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Now there are nine: Medal of Honor recipients since U.S for...

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Story told of Medal of Honor recipient who lived modest life...

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Navy will christen USS Michael Murphy on May 7th, 2011 in Ba...

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Last week

Medal of Honor recipient SSG Ronald J. Shurer II, dies at 41

  • May 15, 2020
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Medal of Honor Recipient Bennie G. Adkins Passes Away at 86

  • April 30, 2020
  • 0 comments

President Donald J. Trump presents Army Master Sgt. Matthew ...

  • October 30, 2019
  • 0 comments

Francis Currey, World war II Medal of Honor Recipient, Dies ...

  • October 16, 2019
  • 0 comments

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