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Congressional
Medal of Honor
Medal Of Honor History The
medal found support in the Navy, however, where it was felt
recognition of courage in strife was needed. Public Resolution 82,
containing a provision for a Navy medal of valor, was signed into
law by President Abraham Lincoln on December 21, 1861. The medal was
"to be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen, and
Marines as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry and
other seamanlike qualities during the present war." Shortly
after this, a resolution similar in wording was introduced on behalf
of the Army. Signed
into law July 12, 1862, the measure provided for awarding a medal of
honor "to such noncommissioned officers and privates as shall
most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other
soldier like qualities, during the present insurrection."
Although it was created for the Civil War, Congress made the Medal
of Honor a permanent decoration in 1863. Almost 3,400 men and one
woman have received the award for heroic actions in the nation's
battles since that time.
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