By Laura Jowdy, Senior Director of Archives, Historical Collections & Museum, CMOHS

In 1890, Recipients of the Medal of Honor began organizing the Medal of Honor Legion, intending it to be a fraternal-type association to provide camaraderie and support for Medal of Honor Recipients. Over the years, this also developed into a push for a special military pension for the Recipients. Each year until 1918, the group held an annual meeting, each year in a different city, to discuss business, topical, and legislative matters.

Following World War I, the Medal of Honor Legion voted to be absorbed into the Legion of Valor, a new organization that included Recipients of other military valor medals. The Medal of Honor Recipients were very involved in local and national levels of the Legion of Valor, including their annual meetings.

Medal of Honor Recipients from World War II felt a renewed need for fellowship with other Recipients. Several of the men began the Medal of Honor Society as an incorporation in New York state and proceeded to expand its influence nationwide in order to reach all Medal of Honor Recipients.

The first convention for this revived group was held in 1956 in Lakeland, Florida, where a decision was made to seek a Congressional charter for their organization. For the next year and half, the Society focused on this task, and the next year’s convention featured votes for by-laws and giving the leadership permission to continue the efforts for the Congressional charter. This convention, held in Washington, D.C., also saw the Recipients taking part in community events. The Congressional charter, approved in 1958 and signed by President Dwight Eisenhower, officially began the Congressional Medal of Honor Society as it is known today.

The Society first met at a convention in 1961, in Washington, D.C. Initially held every other year, the Society convention has met annually since 1993 (except in 1996 and 2004). The conventions have become a way for Recipients to complete Society business, remember Recipients who have passed, and give back to the community.

In order to do this, the location changes every year, allowing the Recipients to spread the Medal of Honor’s message of patriotism, courage, and sacrifice with a different group of people each year. Modern conventions feature several events engaging the local community, such as meet-and-greets and visits to veteran and community centers and schools.

Since the location changes each year, each convention has a local flavor and features a variety of events. Conventions have been held in all types of communities, from Valley Forge, PA (1964); Lakeland, FL (1975); New York City, NY (1983); Albuquerque, NM (1989); Philadelphia, PA (1995); Pueblo, CO (2000); and Boston, MA (2006, 2015, 2021).

By changing locations, Recipients can spread the Medal of Honor’s messages of patriotism, courage, and sacrifice. Each one features several events engaging the community, such as public meet-and-greets and visits to veteran and community centers and schools. The Recipients also present their highest Society awards to national and local dignitaries.

Last year’s convention in 2023 was in New Orleans, LA. Recipients participated in a mini-parade, with all the trappings of Mardi Gras, but also visited local schools; toured the Veterans Administration and met with veterans and the employees; and participated in a public forums at the National World War II Museum and Tulane University.

In 2024, the Recipients will be in San Antonio, TX, where they will attend a rodeo and the Witte Museum, but also visit schools, the local veterans’ hospital, and meet with first responders. Recipients will encourage and inspire everyone they come across to embrace the Medal of Honor values of courage, commitment, integrity, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism.

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