Despite the challenges that 2021 presented, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society continued to advance its mission of ensuring the preservation and legacy of the Medal and to support the outreach and education efforts of the living Medal of Honor Recipients. Through the continued dedication of Recipients and supporters, brand new initiatives were launched and missions were accomplished. 

Below are just a few of the initiatives that took place this year as we worked to educate and inspire future generations; connect Recipients to each other, veterans, and local communities; and preserve the legacy of the Medal of Honor.

Awards and Honors

On Dec. 16, Sgt. 1st Class Christopher A. Celiz and Master Sgt. Earl D. Plumlee were awarded Medals of Honor by President Joseph R. Biden.

On May 21, Ralph Puckett Jr. was also awarded the Medal of Honor by President Biden for “the extraordinary leadership and courageous example [he] exhibited …for his actions in 1950 during the Korean War.” 

Every year since 2007, a nationwide search is conducted to select five U.S. citizens and one organization to receive the Citizen Honors Awards. The Awards are one of the numerous ways the Congressional Medal of Honor Society fulfills its mission to promote the values embodied by the Medal: courage, sacrifice, integrity, commitment, patriotism, and citizenship.

In March, the Society announced the finalists for the 2021 Citizen’s Honor Awards. The Awardees were celebrated in Charleston, South Carolina, in July, and the Citizen Honors Valor Awardees were honored in Boston, Massachusetts, in September.

• Raina Neeland (posthumous): Single Act of Heroism Award
• David Dorn (posthumous): Single Act of Heroism Award
• Chris Stone (posthumous): Young Hero Award
• Aidan Reilly & James Kanoff: Service Act Award
• Charles (Charlie) Austin: Youth Service Award
• The Gary Sinise Foundation (GSF): Community Service Hero Award

New Preservation Initiatives

New Exhibits Added to the Medal of Honor Recipients Museum: Two new features were added to the Medal of Honor Recipients’ Museum in October. The Vietnam War section was updated with two new video documentaries honoring Recipients Sgt. John Levitow and Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie Adkins. Additionally, a new interactive exhibit was added, highlighting Recipients and the War on Terrorism.

New Video Library Launched: The Congressional Medal of Honor Society launched a new video library on its site. This launch furthers the Society’s mission of research, preservation, and education by featuring Living History videos, documentaries, and more content of Recipients sharing their own stories.

Society News

New Board of Directors: A new Congressional Medal of Honor Society Board of Directors was established in October of this year. The Board is comprised of Medal of Honor Recipients.  and  Leroy A. Petry was elected Society President.

Medal of Honor Convention: On the weekend of Sept. 11, the annual Medal of Honor Convention was held in Boston, Massachusetts. Recipients participated in area outreach events, honored the awardees of the 2020 and 2021 Citizen Honors Awards for Valor and memorialized Recipients who had passed during the prior two years.

Mary Walker Video Receives Telly Award: One of our Living History videos highlighting the life and work of the only female Medal of Honor Recipient, Dr. Mary Walker, was awarded a Silver Telly Award  in the General / Non-broadcast category.

Mourning the Losses of Recipients Who Passed This Year

• Charles Henry Coolidge, awarded in 1945 for his actions in World War II; 1921-2021
• Ernest Edison West, awarded in 1954 for his actions in the Korean War; 1931-2021
• Charles Chris Hagemeister, awarded in 1968 for his actions the Vietnam War, 1946-2021
• Corporal Duane Edgar Dewey, awarded in 1953 for his actions in the Korean War; 1931-2021

This year was filled with moments of excitement, joy, mourning, anticipation, and dedication to honoring the sacrifice and inspiring the future. We are grateful for all of you who contribute to our mission as we preserve and share the legacy of Medal of Honor Recipients and support them in their outreach initiatives.  And we look forward to continuing and expanding this mission in the years to come.

About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Medal of Honor and its Recipients, inspiring Americans, and supporting the Recipients as they connect with communities across the country. Chartered by Congress in 1958, its membership consists exclusively of those individuals who have received the Medal of Honor, including 67 living Recipients. 

The Society carries out its mission through outreach, education, and historical preservation programs, including the Medal of Honor Museum, Valor Outreach Program, Character Development Program, and more.