The Congressional Medal of Honor¹ is the highest award a soldier, or sailor can receive. In awarding the Medal of Honor, the soldier, or sailor, would make a contribution, “….not just in fighting, but in fighting gallantly, sometimes displaying a sheer heroism which, when looked upon by the Nation in whose name it was called forth, quite naturally caused the Nation to seek some means of rewarding him.”²
The Congressional Medal of Honor was first created, to reward sailors for heroism and actions, well above the call of duty. A bill for its creation was introduced by Senator James Grimes, of Iowa. It passed both houses, and was signed by President Abraham Lincoln on December 21, 1861. A companion bill was introduced, on February 17, 1862, by Senator Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts. His bill would provide for presentation of “medals of honor,” to enlisted men and volunteers, of the armed forces who, “shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldierlike qualities.”³ Lincoln, would sign Wilson’s bill, making it law, on July 12, 1862. The original bill would be amended, on March 3, 1863, to allow officers to also receive the medal.
The new medals were designed by the U.S. Mint and made by William Wilson & Son of Philadelphia. The first medals of honor were awarded to members of the army, on March 25, 1863, “in the name of Congress and the United States.” On April 3, 1863 the first Navy/Marine medals were awarded.
Unfortunately, after the Civil War, the honor of receiving these medals, created abuse and counterfeit medals. In an effort to identify the soldiers, and sailors, who legitimately were rewarded medals, the army’s adjutant general agreed to publish a list of all medal recipients in “The Soldiers Friend” magazine. This helped identify potentially fraudulent recipients.
Over the coming generations, the rules, and requirements would be modified and a “pyramid of honor,” would be developed. Knowing that not all meritorious actions deserved the highest honor, other medals were created to award these soldiers for their actions. Here is a list, from highest medal of honor, to lowest medal, for the army. The date is the date the medal was created.
1) The Congressional Medal of Honor (1862)
2) Distinguished Service Cross (1918)
3) Defense Distinguished Service Medal (1970)
4) Distinguished Service Medal (1918)
5) Silver Star (1918)
6) Defense Superior Service Medal (1976)
7) Legion of Merit (1942)
8) Soldier’s Medal (1926)
9) Bronze Star (1942)
10) Meritorious Service Medal (1969)
11) Joint Service Commendation Medal (1963)
12) Army Commendation Medal (1945)
13) Purple Heart (1782)
The soldiers, who over the generations, have been awarded any of these awards, are heroes, and patriots. Those who have earned the Congressional Medal of Honor, have proved themselves under the most dangerous conditions, and deserve the highest recognition. Many of the Congressional Medals of Honor recipients would receive their medals posthumously.
Over the coming months, I am going to dedicate time on this blog, to highlight Civil War soldiers who were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. I have created a new category, “Congressional Medal of Honor” so you can easily find these articles. I do hope that you enjoy these articles, as the soldiers who proved themselves, under the most trying circumstances, deserve to be remembered – and honored. As always, I appreciate any comments you make to my posts.
¹ R.J. Proft, Editor, United States of America Medal of Honor Recipients, Fifth Edition, and U.S. Army Center of Military History were used to research this article.
² R.J. Proft, Editor, United States of America Medal of Honor Recipients, Fifth Edition, p. 3.
³ R.J. Proft, Editor, United States of America Medal of Honor Recipients, Fifth Edition, p. 4.
