What is a congressional medal of honor?

Answer 1

It is the highest award that can be given to a member of the US services for bravery in battle. Most of the service men who have been recipients of this medal have died in the course of their action.

It is quite common for someone to say that a soldier "WON the Medal of Honor." This is incorrect, you don't "WIN" the Medal of Honor. It's not a contest. He was "Awarded the Medal of Honor" is the correct phrase.

The name of the medal is: Medal of Honor. To call it Congressional Medal of Honor is not correct. It is awarded in the name of the Congress by the President of the United States.

Answer 2

It is the Medal of Honor that is presented to a person, regardless if they are alive or dead for acts of Bravery, Heroism, and Valor. As with so much other USA symbolism, the 13 stars on the Medal of Honor represent the original 13 colonies that first formed the USA.

Answer 3

First of all there exist no award in the United States inventory, nomenclature or vernacular called the Congressional Medal of Honor. The actual and proper name of the award is the Medal Of Honor. While Congress has a role in the approval process, the Medal of Honor is not a Congressional Award. It is a Military Award for Exceptional Acts of Bravery above and beyond all other acts. Some have shortened the name of the Award to MOH and even incorrectly referred to it as the CMOH.

Answer 4

First, it is the Medal of Honor, and not the Congressional Medal of Honor which is a common misconception, Congress only authorized the creation of the Medal of Honor, it is not named after Congress; of course, Congress likes to think it is.

Also, a individual receiving the Medal of Honor is called a "recipient" and not a "winner", combat is not a game or a contest, referring to a Medal of Honor recipient as a "winner" is disrespectful.

The Medal of Honor, 10 USC 3741, was established by Joint Resolution of Congress, 12 July 1862 (amended by acts 9 July 1918 and 25 July 1963).

The Medal of Honor is awarded by the President in the name of Congress to a person who, while serving as a member of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force or Coast Guard distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the Call of Duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The actions performed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his comrades and must have involved risk of life. Incontestable proof of the performance of the service will be exacted and each recommendation for the award of this decoration will be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit (Reference Army Regulation 600-8-22).

Simply put, U.S. Armed Forces service members awarded the Medal of Honor must have engaged in an acts of valor above and beyond those actions that would be normally expected of any member of the Armed Forces under similar conditions during combat actions, and there actions must have involved an obvious risk of death to themselves; although not required, typical acts of valor involve risking ones own life to save the lives of other members of the U.S. Armed Forces, allied forces and/or civilians during combat.

Answer 5

The proper name is simply Medal of Honor, although Congressional gets thrown in there. It is the highest medal in the US Military. It is awarded for extreme courage and valor in combat. and there are only 76 living recipients of the medal today. As a tradition, holders of the Medal are saluted by all other service members without regard to rank. Unlike most medals that are pinned to the chest of your uniform, the Medal of Honor is worn around the neck, suspended from a blue ribbon.

Answer 6

Besides the other answers you get, like getting saluted by everyone. I also heard that no one can inspect you except the president of the USA. As told to me by a retired sailor.