National Medal of Honor Day In Defense of American Liberty

Dedicated to all those who make extreme sacrifices to sustain America’s values - past, present, and future.

Today, National Medal of Honor Day, Koch VETS pay respect to our incredible heroes for their acts of valor “above and beyond the call of duty.”

"Poor is the Nation that has no heroes, but shameful is the Nation that has them and forgets." – Unknown

This U.S. Federal holiday was created by Congress and signed into law by President George H. W. Bush in November 1990, and first celebrated on March 25, 1991. March 25 was chosen to commemorate the first-ever Medal presentation in 1863, during which six members of Andrews’ Raiders received Medals of Honor for their heroic actions during the American Civil War.    

“Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure." – President Abraham Lincoln

The Medal of Honor was established by the U.S. Congress with two separate bills in July 1862 and signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln. The first bill was written to “promote the efficiency of the Navy.” And, the second was “to distribute medals to distinguished privates in the U.S. Army.” Now, the Medal of Honor is “the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States.”

“No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” – President Calvin Coolidge

Today there are three versions of the medal: one for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Members of the Marine Corps and Coast Guard can receive the Navy’s version. Since the award’s inception, 3,525 Medals have been awarded to 3,506 individuals. Nineteen recipients have been awarded the honor twice: fourteen for two separate acts of valor and five who received both the Army and Navy medals for the same act.

Mary Edwards Walker, a medical doctor who served as a Union Army surgeon, is the only woman to have received the Medal of Honor.

Despite multiple versions of the medal, requirements are standardized among all services. The medal is awarded for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.” Because of the intense scrutiny throughout the approval process, it may take in excess of 18 months. Approval is given by a special act of Congress, and the Medal is presented by the President at a formal ceremony in Washington, D.C. The ceremony is intended to represent the gratitude of the U.S. people.   

Theodore Roosevelt is the only U.S. president to have received the Medal of Honor, which he was awarded posthumously.

Medal of Honor recipients have demonstrated strong leadership under duress as well as a willingness to put their own lives at risk for the safety of their fellow servicemen and countrymen. Therefore, it is our nation’s highest and most prestigious military decoration; no other honor is greater or more laudable.

Throughout our history, many men and women sacrificed the utmost for our great country and the freedoms we are privileged to enjoy. Always remember and honor our fallen comrades. – Michael E. Thornton, U.S. Navy, Medal of Honor

Koch VETS pledge to honor and remember all our brave veterans, especially our Medal of Honor recipients, by bearing witness to their incredible stories and acts of bravery.  

“Charlie-Mike”