May 31 is Memorial Day, the national holiday honoring those who died in military service for their country. Here are five facts about the Medal of Honor, the U.S. government’s highest military decoration.
1. Congress created the award in December 1861, early in the Civil War. The award goes to a service member who “distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty” while engaged in military action. More than 3,500 medals have been awarded to date.
2. The Civil War produced the most awardees, at 1,523. World War II had 472 awardees, the “Indian Campaigns” 426, and the Vietnam War 262.
3. The Army has produced the most recipients (by far), 2,457. Navy personnel have received 749; Marines 300; Air Force 19; and Coast Guard 1.
4. The first woman awarded was Mary E. Walker, a Civil War surgeon who was held several months in a Confederate prison. Joseph DeCastro was the first Latino recipient, in 1864. The first black recipient, William Carney, was belatedly awarded in 1900 for herorism in the Civil War. The first Native American recipient, Co-Rux-Te-Chod-Ish (Mad Bear), was cited in 1869.
5. The only U.S. president to receive the Medal of Honor was Theodore Roosevelt, in 2001. Roosevelt was cited for his actions in the 1898 Battle of San Juan Hill (Cuba) in the Spanish-American War, three years before he become president. Like many recipients, he was awarded long after his death.
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