The President, in the name of Congress, has awarded more than 3,400 Medals of Honor to our nation's bravest Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen since the award was created in 1861.
Nineteen of these heroes received a second award, fourteen received two separate Medals for two separate actions and five received both the Navy and the Army Medals of Honor for the same action.
The award is often bestowed posthumously to fallen heroes in recognition for their extraordinary acts of valor. A total of six such heroes have received the MOH while serving in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. On November 16, 2010 Army Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta became the first living Medal of Honor recipient in 40 years.
Medal of Honor recipients are given the following special privileges and special benefits:
Learn more about the Medal of Honor at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society website.