National Medal of Honor day is a day that is dedicated to all Medal of Honor recipients.
It was on March 25, 1863 when the first Medals of Honor were presented. Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton presented Medals of Honor (Army) to six members of “Andrews Raiders” for their volunteering and participation during an American Civil War raid in April of 1862.
Created in 1861, the Medal of Honor is the United States of America’s highest military honor. It is awarded only to US military personnel, by the President of the United States in the name of Congress, for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.
There are three versions of the Medal of Honor; one for the Army, one for the Navy and one for the Air Force, with personnel of the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard receiving the Navy version.
Since its creation, there have been 3,468 Medals of Honor awarded to the country’s soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and coast guardsmen.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Use #MedalOfHonorDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
In 1990, the United States Congress designated March 25th of each year as National Medal of Honor Day.
From the US Dept of Veterans Affairs:
The greatest commendation our nation can confer is the Medal of Honor. The first Medals of Honor were presented on March 25, 1863. To commemorate this date and all Medal of Honor recipients, Congress declared March 25th as National Medal of Honor day.
The Medal of Honor is reserved for those who have distinguished themselves “conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity.” This National Medal of Honor Day, we remember the courage and selfless sacrifice of those incredible individuals.
The Medal of Honor has been awarded to 3,493 individuals. There are currently 79 living Medal of Honor recipients and 19 recipients have received two Medals.
Average age of recipients at the time of the Medal of Honor action:
- All services: 26 years old
- U.S. Army recipients: 25 years old
- U.S. Air Force recipients: 33 years old
- U.S. Coast Guard recipients: 23 years old
- U.S. Navy recipients: 29 years old
- U.S. Army Air Corps: 27 years old
- U.S. Marine Corps: 25 years old
Play with the data yourself on the Medal of Honor data dashboard.
