The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the United States Congress on members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States." Read more
Medal of Honor Fact Sheet
Medal of Honor Statistics
The Medal of Honor has evolved in appearance since its creation in 1862. The present Army medal consists of a gold star surrounded by a wreath, topped by an eagle on a bar inscribed with the word "Valor." The medal is attached by a hook to a light blue moiré silk neckband. There is a version of the medal for each sub-cabinet component of the Department of Defense: the Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, and Department of the Air Force. Read more
The Pritzker Military Library's Executive Producer, Ed Tracy, hosts live, monthly interviews with recipients of the Medal of Honor. Each program can be seen online at The Pritzker Military Library.
James S. Vlasto, the editor of Medal of Honor News, was dedicated to preserving the history of our war heroes and to spreading awareness about the Medal of Honor and those brave veterans who served in our armed forces.
Some people, believe me, don’t know what the Medal of Honor is, I run across it all the time,” he said.
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President Donald J. Trump presents Army Master Sgt. Matthew Williams with the Medal of Honor at the White House, Oct. 30, 2019 President Donald J. Trump awarded the nation’s highest combat medal to Master Sgt. Matthew O. Williams during a ceremony at the White House on Wednesday. Williams, a Green Beret weapons sergeant fro... Read more
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Medal of Honor recipient Ronald Shurer dies after a lengthy struggle with lung cancer WASHINGTON D.C. – On May 14, 2020, SSG (R) Ronald J. Shurer II passed due to a lengthy illness. He was an American Hero, Medal of Honor Recipient, son, husband, and most important to him, a Father. Ronald J. Shurer II Read more
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On Tuesday, June 25, 2019, President Donald J. Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to David G. Bellavia for conspicuous gallantry while serving as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army. Then-Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia received the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 10, 2004, while serving as a squad leader Read more
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East Room 3:41 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Please be seated. Thank you. Thank you, Chaplain. Very well done. Beautiful. We’re honored to be joined by members of Congress, military leaders, distinguished guests from all across our nation. I want to recognize Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson. Thank y... Read more
Charles C. Hagemeister, Medal of Honor Recipient, passed away Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at the age of 74 in Leavenwor... Read more
Ernest E. West, Medal of Honor recipient, passed away Saturday, May 1, 2021, at the age of 89. In October 1952, duri... Read more
Charles Henry Coolidge, 99, of Signal Mountain, passed away peacefully 6 April 2021, at Memorial Hospital in Chattan... Read more
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society, the nation’s only non-profit organization chartered by Congress to p... Read more
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that Korean War Medal of Honor recipient, Army Chaplain (Capt.) Emil... Read more
On September 11, 2020, President Donald J. Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major Thomas P. Payne, Unite... Read more
News from Military.com about Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Henry E. “Red” Erwin, the radio operato... Read more
This week, the family of Specialist Four Robert D. Law, United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United St... Read more
A Medal of Honor awarded to a U.S. Army private for a heroic rescue during the Spanish-American War will be auctione... Read more
Medal of Honor recipient Ronald Shurer dies after a lengthy struggle with lung cancer WASHINGTON D.C. – On May 14, 2... Read more
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announces that Bennie G. Adkins, Medal of Honor recipient, passed away Frid... Read more
President Donald J. Trump presents Army Master Sgt. Matthew Williams with the Medal of Honor at the White House, Oct... Read more
Members of the New York Army National Guard provided final honors for Francis S. Currey, New York’s last survi... Read more
On Tuesday, June 25, 2019, President Donald J. Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to David G. Bellavia for conspicuous... Read more
On Wednesday, March 27, 2019, President Donald J. Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Travis W. Atkin... Read more
On Wednesday, October 17, 2018, President Donald J. Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major John L. Canle... Read more
Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation
Home of Heroes
U.S Army Center of Military History
U.S. Department of Defense
The Pritzker Military Library
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