A Senate Resolution of 17 Feb 1862, signed into law by Abraham
Lincoln on 12 Jul 1863, provided for the presentation of 'Medals of
Honor' "In the name of Congress, to such non-commissioned officers
and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in
action and other soldier-like
qualities, during the Civil War."
On 3 Mar 1863, Congress changed the law to include officers and to make
the only qualification "Gallantry in Action".
On 2 May 1896, Congress authorized a change in the ribbon.
On 23 Apr 1904, Congress authorized a new design and
on 20 Sep 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt ordered "The recipient of a Medal of Honor will, whenever practicable, be ordered to Washington and the presentation will be made by the
President."
The only medal awarded by the United States, before the Civil War, was
created by Congress in 1780 and presented to three members of the New
York Militia. Private John Paulding, Private David
Williams, and Private Isaac Van Wart were the three men who
captured Major
John Andre. Major Andre was an intelligence officer, representing
the British forces in America, and a coconspirator of Major General
Benedict
Arnold.
'Virtutis et Audaciae Monumentum et Premium'
(Virtue and Audacity Are Their Own Monument and Reward)
Created by Congress on 3 Mar 1847, during the War with
Mexico, for US Army Privates. In 1854, coverage was extended to
also include Non-Commissioned Officers. Awarded for distinguished
service in battle or peacetime, for heroism involving saving life or
property at the risk of one's own life, or for other services deemed
deserving by the President.
On 11 Jan 1905, Congress authorized a medal for recipients of
the Certificate of Merit.
On 9 Jul 1918, Congress discontinued the Certificate of Merit
Medal
and authorized recipients to receive the Distinguished
Service Medal in exchange, if requested.
'Dulce et Decorum est Pro Patria Mori'
(Sweet and Fitting it is to Die for One's Country)
On 29 Nov 1862, the officers of the 1st Division, III Corps met
and adopted the resolution establishing
a "medal of honor" to be known as the "Kearny Medal", which would be
presented to all officers
(and those soldiers promoted to officers prior to 1 Jan 1863) who had
"Honorably served in battle under General Kearny in his Division."
Major General Phillip Kearny was killed in the Battle of Chantilly
on 1
Sep 1862.
Designed by Ball, Black, and Company; New York
The Kearny Cross
for Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates
On 13 Mar 1863, Brigadier General Birney issued an order
establishing
a "cross of valor", to be known as the "Kearny Cross" and awarding it
to
Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates who had distinguished themselves
in battle.
Major General Phillip Kearny, former Commander of the 1st Division,
III Corps,
was killed in the Battle of Chantilly on 1 Sep 1862.
On 28 Oct 1863, Major General Quincy A. Gillmore issued an
order creating
"medals of honor for gallantry and meritorious conduct during the
operations before Charleston"
and awarding them to enlistedmen of his command who had been in action
in the batteries and trenches.
This medal is suspended by a swivel, from a metal clasp; there was
no ribbon.
'Ferro iis Libertas Perveniet' (Liberty Wrought by Iron)
On 11 Oct 1864, Major General Benjamin F. Butler, the Commander of
the Army of the James,
announced that a special medal would be struck in honor of certain
black soldiers of his command
for gallantry in action in the storming of New Market Heights, 29 Sep
1864.
For this one action there were nearly two hundred medals presented.
Medal designed by Anthony C. Paquet
Ribbon and attachments designed by Charles W. Kennard & Co.
Established by Congress on 20 JUN 1874.
Awarded by the US Dept. of Transportation (formerly, Dept. of Treasury)
to US Armed Forces members
and civilians who endanger their lives in saving or attempting to save
lives of others from dangers of the sea.
Between 1882 and 1946 the ribbon for the medal was two inches wide and
colored scarlet red:
Established by Congress on 20 JUN 1874.
Awarded by the US Department of Transportation (formerly, Dept. of
Treasury) to US Armed Forces members
and civilians who endanger their lives in saving or attempting to save
lives of others from dangers of the sea.
However, it is secondary to the Gold Lifesaving Medal and therefor
permits a lesser degree of heroism for award.
The Army
Wound Ribbon was established by Secretary of War Newton D. Baker,
on 06 Sep 1917,
and implemented by War
Department General Order 134 of 12 Oct 1917,
to be
awarded to officers or enlistedmen who were "honorably wounded in
action."
It
was rescinded by War Department General Order 6 of 12 Jan 1918,
and replaced by the Wound Chevron.
No order of precedence was ever established for this ribbon and
no devices were authorized;
additional ribbons were to be worn for successive awards.
During the Second World War, four Chaplains showed extreme heroism and
made great sacrifice after the torpedoing of their transport ship in
the North Atlantic. The four Lieutenants, Rev. George L. Fox,
Methodist; Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, Jewish; Fr. John P. Washington,
Roman Catholic; and Rev. Clark V. Poling, Dutch Reformed, quickly and
quietly spread out among the soldiers. They tried to calm the
frightened, tend the wounded and guide the disoriented toward safety.
When there were no more lifejackets in the storage room, the chaplains
removed theirs and gave them to four frightened young men. As the ship
went down, survivors in nearby rafts could see the four chaplains--arms
linked and braced against the slanting deck. Their voices could also be
heard
offering prayers.
That night Reverend Fox, Rabbi Goode, Reverend Poling, and Father
Washington passed life's ultimate test. In doing so, they became an
enduring example of extraordinary faith, courage, and selflessness.
The Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart were awarded
posthumously 19 Dec 1944, to the next of kin by Lt. Gen. Brehon B.
Somervell, Commanding General of the Army Service Forces, in a ceremony
at the post chapel at Fort Myer, VA.
A posthumous Special Medal for Heroism, never before given and never
to be given again, was authorized by Congress and awarded by the
President
18 Jan 1961. Congress wished to confer the Medal
of Honor, but was
blocked
by the stringent requirements which required heroism performed under
fire.
The special medal was intended to have the same weight and importance
as
the Medal of Honor.
Established by Congress on 29 SEP 1969. Awarded by the
President in the name of Congress to
civilian or military astronauts
who, while performing their duties, distinguish themselves
by
exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of
the Nation and humanity.
The design contains a 1/4 carat diamond at its center,
which makes it the only U.S. decoration with a precious stone.
It is a non-military decoration and ranks after
all military decorations.
Awardees include:
1978, Neil
Armstrong - Commander Apollo
XI 'First Moon Landing'
1978, Frank
Borman - Commander Apollo
VIII 'First Moon Orbit'
1978, Charles
"Pete" Conrad - Commander First
Skylab Space Station Crew
1978, John
Glenn - Mercury Spacecraft;
Friendship 7 'First American in Orbit'
1978, Virgil
I."Gus" Grissom (posthumous) - Commander
Gemini III & Apollo I
1978, Alan
Shepard - Mercury Spacecraft;
Freedom 7 'First American in Space'
1981, John
W. Young - Commander STS-1;
Columbia 'First Shuttle Flight'
1993, Thomas P. Stafford
- Apollo Commander,
Apollo-Soyuz Test Project
1995, James
Lovell - Commander Apollo XIII
1996, Shannon
Lucid - STS-76 & Mir Space
Station 'Longest Female Duration in Space'
1997, Roger
Chaffee (posthumous) - Apollo I
1997, Edward White
(posthumous) - Gemini
IV 'First American Space Walk' & Apollo I
2003, William Shepherd -
Commander First
International Space Station Crew
2004, Dick
Scobee (posthumous) - Commander STS-51L; Challenger
2004, Michael Smith
(posthumous) - Pilot
STS-51L; Challenger
