[Narrator] The Medal of Honor, the United States' highest award for valor in combat, fewer than 3,600 of the over 41 million who have served in the armed forces of the United States have been honored to wear the medal for actions above and beyond the call of duty. It embodies the sacrifices of all our service members, the history of our armed forces and the values that have shaped the nation over the centuries: courage, commitment, integrity, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism.

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[Narrator] Early in the Civil War, the Union suffered some humiliating defeats, and the military needed a way to maintain moral and make an example of those who performed their duties heroically. So legislation was introduced for a valor award in the Navy, and on December 21, 1861, the Navy Medal of Honor was born. Similar legislation was introduced for the Army two months later, and it was signed into law on July 12, 1862. The design of the medal may have changed over time, but it has always taken cues from the purpose, strength, and bravery of the individuals who wear it.

Today, the Navy's Medal of Honor features the initial Civil War design of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and war, representing the United States. She is shown fighting discord, the embodiment of the nation's enemies. The Army's design has a simple profile of Minerva's head surrounded by a green wreath of laurel and oak leaves, representing victory and strength. The iconic light blue ribbon with 13 white stars, now used by all the branches of the service, was first adopted by the Army in 1904.

The US Air Force's Medal of Honor keeps the laurel and oak leaves of the Army medal, but Minerva's head is replaced with a profile of Lady Liberty. During the last half of the 19th century and through the 20th century, the Medal of Honor's requirements were refined and cemented by Congress and the military. As a result, each Medal of Honor recommendation undergoes a scrupulous examination and documentation process under a deadline, ensuring that evidence is obtained in an expedient manner and that valorous actions are quickly recognized and celebrated.

Although medals were initially shunned by the Founding Fathers as the trappings of monarchy, the Medal of Honor embodies the spirit of the revolution, that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. For those service members who have received a medal, it is a recognition from their country that we honor their selfless, extraordinary heroism and risk of life for us on the battlefield. And for the average citizen, it is a reminder of the courage, commitment, integrity, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism that has gone into protecting and providing for our nation and our freedom.

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The Medal of Honor is the United States’ highest award for military valor in action and was first signed into law in 1861 during the Civil War. The Medal is a distinguished award, presented to those who have shown gallantry and intrepidity, at the risk of their lives, above and beyond the call of duty.

Out of the 41 million who have served in the U.S. military, the Medal has been presented to only 3,528 service members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, each of whom can be researched in the Medal of Honor Recipient database located here.

Chartered by Congress in 1958, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s membership is limited to those who wear the Medal of Honor — to those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. The Society reflects their dedication to courage, sacrifice, integrity, commitment, patriotism, and citizenship that makes our nation great. There are 61 living Medal of Honor Recipients whose acts of military valor were performed during the following conflicts: World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the War on Terrorism. The Society and The Medal of Honor Museum are located on the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

The Medal of Honor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1999 to advance the mission and provide a path for financial support of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is the only organization Chartered by Congress to support Recipients. Although the Medal of Honor traces its origins back to 1861, it wasn’t until 1958 that Congress and President Eisenhower chartered a specific organization to address the work and well-being of Recipients. The Society and Foundation rely solely on private philanthropy – gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations – and receive no government funding. The Foundation is a 4-Star Rated Charity as rated by Charity Navigator. You can help “Honor the Sacrifce; Inspire the Future” through our secure Medal of Honor Foundation Donor Perfect page here.