Six Honorees to Receive Citizen Honors Awards for Acts of Exceptional Heroism and Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On National Medal of Honor Day, March 25, 2025, Medal of Honor Recipients are recognizing other heroic Americans on the day that Congress set aside to “foster public appreciation and recognition of Medal of Honor Recipients.”

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society —the Congressionally-chartered organization of the 61 living Medal of Honor Recipients—will hold its annual Citizen Honors Awards in Arlington, Virginia, to recognize five U.S. citizens and one nonprofit organization who have exemplified Medal of Honor values– courage, sacrifice, integrity, commitment, citizenship, and patriotism–in their communities and beyond. The annual initiative is a pillar of the Society’s mission to honor its charter guidelines by inspiring future generations and perpetuating Americanism across the nation.

During this event, which will be emceed by Martha Raddatz, ABC News’ Chief Global Affairs Correspondent and Co-Anchor of “This Week,” will feature a powerful moment as Medal of Honor Recipients place a Citizen Honors Award medallion around the necks of the honorees—a tradition that mirrors how Recipients themselves received the Medal of Honor.

This year’s honorees are recognized for their heroic actions, including saving lives from drowning and a house fire following an explosion, stopping a school shooter, and dedicating themselves to serving and supporting veteran communities.

Medal of Honor Recipient and Society President Britt Slabinski commented, “This Citizen Honors Awards ceremony is a powerful reminder of why we, the 61 living Medal of Honor Recipients, remain steadfast in championing the legacy and values of the Medal across our nation. The Medal of Honor is not just about war or the battlefield—it stands as proof that every individual holds the capacity for extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication in their own corner of the world. Whether at home, in school, in their communities, or at work, Americans must embody the values of the Medal every day. The Medal represents the best in all of us all, and we are honored to celebrate these remarkable individuals who have gone above and beyond in service to others, right where they are.”

The Citizen Honors Awards event follows a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, where Medal of Honor Recipients will pay tribute to all who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

A panel assembled by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society reviewed the nominations and selected national finalists. From those finalists, the five individuals and organization were chosen to receive the Citizen Honors Awards by a second panel made up exclusively of Medal of Honor Recipients, Americans whose actions have truly defined the words “courage” and “selfless service”.

Earlier in the month, in recognition of “Medal of Honor March”, Medal of Honor Recipients began a series of events leading up to Medal of Honor Day at the New York Stock Exchange, where they rang the Closing Bell and hosted the 17th “Circle of Honor” dinner–both long storied traditions of the Society. Throughout the month, Medal of Honor Recipients also engaged in various community outreach activities and events across the country. The National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas will officially open to the public on March 25. Other commemorations will include wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, the Medal of Honor Memorial in Indianapolis, IN, the Medal of Honor Memorial in Riverside, CA, and the Medal of Honor Museum on the U.S.S. Yorktown in Mount Pleasant, SC.

2025 Citizen Honors Award Awardees

A distinguished panel assembled by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society carefully reviewed nominations from across the nation. A second panel—composed exclusively of Medal of Honor Recipients—then selected five individuals and one organization whose actions exemplify the Medal’s ideals.

2024 Single Act of Heroism Honoree –DAN MARBURGER | Perry, IA | Posthumous

Principal Dan Marburger demonstrated extraordinary heroism during the tragic shooting at Perry High School on January 4, 2024, when a student opened fire inside the school. Marburger selflessly confronted the shooter in the hallway, putting himself in harm’s way to protect others. Despite being shot, he continued engaging with the shooter, enabling students and staff to evacuate to safety. Marburger was struck four times during this brave intervention and managed to walk to safety, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. His courageous actions exemplified the highest level of dedication to protecting his students and staff, making the ultimate sacrifice in service of others.

2024 Single Act of Heroism Honoree – GREG RENKO | Plum, PA

Greg is selected as a Single Act of Heroism Honoree for his heroic actions on August 12, 2023, during a catastrophic house explosion when a massive blast occurred just houses away from his location. Renko immediately sprang into action. Without hesitation, he rushed into the disaster zone and began searching through the debris for survivors. Despite the extreme danger of subsequent explosions and spreading fires, Renko persisted in his rescue efforts, navigating through burning rubble and collapsed structures to help those in need.

2024 Young Hero Honoree – JAKOB THOMPSON | West Palm, FL

Jakob is selected as the Young Hero Honoree for his act of heroism on November 30, 2023, as he demonstrated extraordinary courage when he saved a woman’s life as she was being pulled out towards the ocean from one of the most dangerous inlets in South Florida. While other bystanders waited for emergency responders, Thompson took immediate action when he saw the woman struggling in the waters. Without hesitation, the teenage hero jumped into the inlet to assist her, potentially preventing a tragedy through his quick thinking and brave response.

 2024 Service Act Honoree – BRYAN STERN | Tampa, FL

Bryan is selected as the Service Act Honoree for the dedication and selfless service he has shown both in and out of uniform. Stern has dedicated his life to rescuing American citizens and allies from conflict zones and disaster areas across the globe and at home. Recognizing gaps in existing systems, Bryan founded Grey Bull Rescue Foundation where he leads missions via sea, air, & land in the world’s most dangerous locations, as well as daring hostage rescues deep behind enemy lines from terrorists, kidnappers, and nation states. Stern created Grey Bull Rescue Foundation to provide a lifeline to Americans and allies stranded in conflict zones and natural disasters wherever and whenever they need help.

2024 Youth Service Honoree – DEJUAN STRICKLAND | St. Louis, MO

DJ is selected as the Youth Service Honoree for his work to combat food insecurity in his school, starting a comic book business from which he donated proceeds to help offset students’ negative lunch balances, and initiating a GoFundMe campaign. His philanthropic spirit doesn’t stop with food insecurity — he also spearheaded a project that mobilized several elementary schools to help the homeless — filling 300 bags with non-perishable food items and toiletries. He also has a passion for STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering and Math — and runs Team Tech Boy, a business he started when he was 12 years old to encourage kids’ interest in STEM.

2024 Community Service Honoree – AMERICAN CORPORATE PARTNERS | New York City, NY

ACP is selected as the Community Service Honoree for their dedication to assisting veterans and active-duty military spouses in combatting underemployment through one-on-one mentoring, networking, and tailored online career advice. ACP mentors perform selfless acts of service through hands-on career support to change the career trajectory of thousands of veterans each year. More than 36,000 veterans and spouses have been positively impacted by the all-volunteer force of ACP mentors.

Find video profiles of past Citizen Honors Awards honorees here. Videos of the 2025 honorees will be added after the ceremony on March 25^th.

About the Citizen Honors Awards

Launched in 2007, the Citizen Honors Awards program reflects the mission of Medal of Honor Recipients to show that the values associated with the Medal of Honor are relevant to all Americans. The tradition is also in keeping with the preference of Recipients to shine a light on others rather than themselves as they believe that the Medals of Honor they were awarded should be seen more broadly as a symbol of the sacrifices and service of others. Each year a nationwide search is conducted to select five United States citizens and one organization to receive the Citizen Honors Awards. The awards were created to encourage others to recognize acts of heroism and selfless service. The Citizen Honorees exemplify the values embodied in the Medal of Honor: courage, sacrifice, integrity, commitment, patriotism, and citizenship. Learn more here: cmohs.org/citizen-honors/overview.

About National Medal of Honor Day:
March 25 was established by Congress in 1991 as National Medal of Honor Day to “foster public appreciation and recognition of Medal of Honor Recipients.” March 25th was chosen because it was on this day in 1863, that the first Medals of Honor were presented to six members of Andrews’ Raiders. To its Recipients, the Medal of Honor represents more than recognition of combat actions. It symbolizes the sacrifices of those they served alongside and those who came before.

This year, Medal of Honor Recipients will spend several days participating in community outreach activities and events across the country, including a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. In addition, wreath-laying services will take place at the Medal of Honor Memorial in Indianapolis, IN, the Medal of Honor Memorial in Riverside, CA, and the Medal of Honor Museum on the U.S.S. Yorktown in Mount Pleasant, SC.

About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Chartered by Congress in 1958, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s membership is comprised of those who wear the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military award for valor. As individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, the Medal of Honor Recipients are committed to serving our country in peace as they did in war by championing the values of courage, sacrifice, integrity, commitment, patriotism, and citizenship. The nonprofit Society preserves their stories and shares their values through Outreach and Education initiatives and its Medal of Honor Museum. By serving, remembering, supporting, and honoring the sacrifice of the Recipients, by sharing the stories and values inherent in them, we understand the responsibility and potential within each one of us to impact the world.

About the Medal of Honor Foundation

The Medal of Honor Foundation, the producer of the Citizen Honors Awards, is a gold-rated 501(c)(3) charity established to advance the work of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and ensure it has the resources to thrive in its mission. The Foundation delivers educational programs built upon the Medal of Honor values: courage, commitment, citizenship, integrity, sacrifice, and patriotism. This includes the Medal of Honor Character Development Program, a free K-12 values-based curriculum for schools. The program utilizes a vast library of living history videos featured on cmohs.org: the most comprehensive internet resource on the Medal of Honor available. The Foundation’s programs and operations are fully funded by generous donors.

Learn more about the Medal of Honor Foundation and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society at cmohs.org.

Media Contact:
Kristi Hellmuth
[email protected]
703-731-1042

CMOHS Contact:

Morgan Blakley

Congressional Medal of Honor Society

[email protected]

972-921-7336