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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.
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Gary B. Beikirch, Medal of Honor Recipient, Passes Away

Gary B. Beikirch, Medal of Honor recipient, passed away Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Rochester, New York, at the age of 74. Sgt. Beikirch was the medical aidman for Detachment B-24, Company B, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, U.S. Army, at a remote Special Forces camp on the border of Laos in Read more

  • December 28, 2021
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Four Vietnam Vets Awarded Medals of Honor in White House Ceremony

During a ceremony at the White House Tuesday, President Joe Biden awarded the Medal of Honor to Vietnam War veterans Spc. 5 Dennis Fujii, Spc. 5 Dwight Birdwell, Maj. John Duffy and Staff Sgt. Edward Kaneshiro, who died in battle and received it posthumously. “It’s been a long journey to this day for those heroes Read more

  • July 5, 2022
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Medal of Honor Recipient Robert Simanek Dies at 92

Robert E. Simanek, Medal of Honor recipient, passed away Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in Novi, Michigan, at the age of 92. On Aug. 17, 1952, at Outpost Irene, Korea, Simanek was a private first class with 2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), when he threw himself on Read more

  • August 4, 2022
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Last Two Korean War Medal of Honor Recipients Died at 97

Hiroshi Miyamura, one of the last two living Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War, died on Nov. 29, 2022, at age 97. With his death, there are only 64 living recipients of the United States’ highest award for valor in combat. Miyamura first joined the Army to fight in a unit made up Read more

  • November 30, 2022
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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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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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Medal of Honor Statistics

Total Recipients: 3,515
Living Recipients: 64
Double Recipients: 19
Most Recent: Spc. 5 Dennis Fujii, Spc. 5 Dwight Birdwell, Maj. John Duffy and Staff Sgt. Edward Kaneshiro

Total Medals of Honor Awarded: 3,527
US Army: 2,458
US Navy: 749
US Marine Corps: 300
US Air Force: 19
US Coast Guard: 1




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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

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