How the Medal of Honor Evolved Into America's Highest Military Award

Across all military awards, one stands out: the Medal of Honor. For Veterans and service members, this pale blue ribbon adorned with thirteen white stars is a recognizable symbol of sacrifice.

Today, the Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that can be awarded. But it wasn't always this way. The medal's history embodies the changing nature of American warfare and what it means to go above and beyond the call of duty.

Forged During the Civil War

Before the Civil War, the U.S. military didn't award medals for individual valor. However, during the Civil War, morale was down. Leaders needed a way to inspire troops and recognize their bravery.

On December 21, 1861, President Lincoln signed a bill creating the Navy Medal of Valor, which recognized Sailors and Marines who distinguished themselves in combat. Soon after, on July 12, 1862, Lincoln signed a resolution creating the Army Medal of Honor.

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Initially, the medal was only awarded to those who were enlisted. It wasn’t until 1863 that they expanded eligibility to include officers, and the Navy also followed suit.

The first Medals of Honor were awarded to six survivors of the "Andrews' Raiders," a Union espionage mission behind Confederate lines in Georgia.

The Evolution of Standards

Early on, the criteria for receiving the Medal of Honor were broad. During the Civil War, it was sometimes awarded for simply capturing an enemy flag. This happened when President Lincoln offered the medal to the entire 27th Maine Infantry Regiment just to incentivize them to stay and defend Washington, D.C., after their enlistments had expired.

By the early 20th century, the military realized that the award's prestige had decreased. In 1916, Congress created a special Army review board to review all 2,625 Medals of Honor awarded.

Eventually, the board revoked 911 Medals of Honor. This purge included the 864 medals given to the 27th Maine, 29 medals given to Abraham Lincoln’s funeral guard, and the medals of several civilian scouts, including the legendary William "Buffalo Bill" Cody.

Receiving a Medal of Honor Today, the Modern Criteria

Following World War I, the military established the "Pyramid of Honor," a hierarchy of awards that created medals of lesser value for acts of bravery.

Today, to be nominated for a Medal of Honor, a service member must:

• Have clearly demonstrated a willingness to place his or her own life at risk for others or have dedicated themselves to the service of others.
• Show actions which epitomize the concept of “service above self” and are performed “above and beyond” the individual’s job responsibilities.
• Be a U.S. citizen.

Three Branches, Three Different Designs

Unlike most military awards, which share a unified design across branches, there are three variations of the Medal of Honor.

The Army Medal

This design consists of a gold five-pointed star surrounded by a green laurel wreath.

At its center is the profile of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and war.

The Navy Medal

As the original design, this version features a five-pointed bronze star.

Inside the star, Minerva is depicted actively repulsing Discord. This version is awarded to Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen.

The Air Force Medal

Created in 1965, the Air Force Medal is similar to the Army's design but is larger and has the head of the Statue of Liberty in the center.

The Medal of Honor Is the Ultimate Salute

Today, the Medal of Honor carries a weight that moves beyond just rank or title. It is a long-standing tradition that all service members salute a Medal of Honor recipient first. While this is not an explicit regulation written in the Uniform Code of Military Justice, it is one of the military's most deeply ingrained customs and courtesies. The history of the Medal of Honor is a reminder of the extraordinary lengths to which American service members will go for their country and for those serving with them.