Established early in the Civil War to "promote efficiency in the Navy", the Medal of Honor rose to prominence in American history and heritage. Only 3,444 Americans have been awarded Medals of Honor, and today only 110 of them survive. These heroes are a vanishing breed whose valiant history MUST be preserved for future generations. That heritage is nurtured and sustained on the ground floor of the Hall of Heroes.

What is the Medal of Honor ?
The Medal of Honor is awarded by the President in the name of Congress to a person who, while a member of the military, distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
The Medal of Honor is one of two military awards issued by the United States Armed Forces to be worn around the neck (neck order). The Medal of Honor is the only neck order issued to members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The other neck order is Commander's Degree of the Legion of Merit . The Commanders Degree of the Legion of Merit is only authorized to be issued to foreign dignitaries usually equal to military chiefs of staff. American military personel can be awarded the Legionaire's Degree of the Legion of Merit which is a standard suspended medal.
The deed performed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his comrades and must have involved risk of life. Incontestable proof of the performance of the service will be exacted and each recommendation for the award of this decoration will be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit.


        

History of Medal ...
The first formal system for rewarding acts of individual gallantry by American soldiers was established by George Washington on August 7, 1782, when he created the Badge of Military Merit, designed to recognize "any singularly meritorious action." This decoration is America's first combat award and the second oldest American military decoration of any type, after the Fidelity Medallion

The Badge of Military Merit, as it was called, fell into oblivion until 1932, when General Douglas MacArthur, then Army Chief of Staff, pressed for its revival. Officially reinstituted on February 22, 1932, the now familiar Purple Heart was at first an Army award, given to those who had been wounded in World War I or who possessed a Meritorious Service Citation Certificate. In 1943, the order was amended to include personnel of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Coverage was eventually extended to include all services and "any civilian national" wounded while serving with the Armed Forces.

Although the Badge of Military Merit fell into disuse after the American Revolutionary War, the concept of a military award for individual gallantry by members of the U.S. armed forces had been established. In 1847, after the outbreak of the Mexican-American War, a Certificate of Merit was established for soldiers who distinguished themselves in action. The certificate was later granted medal status as the Certificate of Merit Medal.

Early in the Civil War, a medal for individual valor was proposed to General-in-Chief of the Army Winfield Scott. But Scott felt medals smacked of European affectation and killed the idea.
The medal found support in the Navy, however, where it was felt recognition of courage in strife was needed. Public Resolution 82, containing a provision for a Navy medal of valor, was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on December 21, 1861. The medal was "to be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen, and Marines as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry and other seamanlike qualities during the present war."

Shortly after this, a resolution similar in wording was introduced on behalf of the Army. Signed into law July 12, 1862, the measure provided for awarding a medal of honor "to such noncommissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldierlike qualities, during the present insurrection."
Although it was created for the Civil War, Congress made the Medal of Honor a permanent decoration in 1863.

        

Only women who was awarded Medal of Honor

Her Medal of Honor citation begins simply "Rank and organization: Contract Acting Assistant Surgeon (civilian)..." and goes on to list her accomplishments while assisting Union and Confederate casualties. Who was the only woman and only civilian to be recognized for her achievement on the field of battle with a Medal of Honor?

Mary Edwards Walker grew up in rural New York and graduated from Syracuse Medical College in 1855. At this time women were often considered little more than property. One Congregational minister of the era wrote "The power of woman is in her dependence..."

Ms. Walker set up office in Rome, New York, marrying a fellow student, one Albert Miller, but throughout her 13 years of marriage she was known as Mary Walker, foregoing the tradition of assuming her husband's name.

Dr. Mary E. Walker, M.D., a Civil War physician, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1865, upon recommendation of Major General Sherman, and Major General Thomas. Men who remembered the early defeats of the Army of the Potomac in 1861 and 1862, whereas Washington itself became a hospital complex treating 20,000 plus wounded union troops.

Field hospitals abounded, in which the most common surgery was amputation and embalming. As assistant surgeon, Dr. Mary Walker no doubt experienced her share of horror at human suffering. When captured, she became a prisoner of war in a southern prison in Virginia.

Dr. Mary Walker's Medal of Honor was rescinded in 1917, along with 910 others. Today, some believe her medal was rescinded because of her involvement as a suffragette. Others, discredit that opinion as 909 medals rescinded were awarded to males. The stated reason, and credible one, was government's effort to ". . . increase the prestige of the grant."


                                

The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military award for bravery. It is awarded by the President in the name of Congress. For this reason, it is often referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor. Since it was first awarded in 1863 , 3,463 individuals have been awarded this medal. Nineteen individuals have been double recipients of the award.

Recipients of the Medal of Honor are afforded a number of benefits as a result of this award.
Since its inception, the laws and regulations that apply to the award have changed. In certain cases, the award has been rescinded. Six of the rescinded awards have been reinstated.

On a number of occasions, legislation has been offered to waive certain restrictions and to encourage the President to award the Medal of Honor to particular individuals. Generally speaking, this type of legislation is rarely enacted. In a very limited number of cases, the medal has been awarded outside the legal restrictions concerning time limits. These cases are often based on technical errors, lost documents or eyewitness accounts, or other factors that have justify reconsideration. These cases, however, represent the exception and not the rule.