The idea for the Medal of Honor was born during the Civil War as men fought gallantly, often displaying great heroism. Gen. George Washington had originated the Purple Heart in 1782 to honor brave soldiers, sailors and marines.

From that time until the Civil War, certificates of merit and a “brevet” system of promotions were used as military awards. The first military decoration formally authorized by the American government as a badge of valor was the Medal of Honor for enlisted men of the Navy and Marine Corps. It was authorized by Congress and approved by President Abraham Lincoln Dec. 21, 1861. The Medal for the Army and Voluntary Forces was authorized July 12, 1862.

The Medal is awarded “in the name of the Congress of the United States,” and for this reason, it is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor . It was only on rare occasions, however, that Congress awarded special Medals of Honor. An executive order, signed Sept. 20, 1905, by President Theodore Roosevelt directed that the ceremonies of award “will always be made with formal and impressive ceremonial” and that the recipient “will, when practicable, be ordered to Washington, D.C., and the presentation will be made by the President, as Commander-in-Chief, or by such representative as the President may designate.”

The Navy Medal of Honor is made of bronze, suspended by an anchor from a bright blue ribbon, and is worn about the neck. The ribbon is spangled with a cluster of 13 white stars representing the original states. Each ray of the five-pointed star contains sprays of laurel and oak and is tipped with a trefoil. Standing in bas-relief, circled by 34 stars representing the 34 states in 1861, is Minerva, who personifies the Union. She holds in her left hand the fasces, an ax bound in staves of wood, which is the ancient Roman symbol of authority. With the sheaf in her right hand, she repulses the serpents held by the crouching figure of Discord. The reverse side of the Medal is left blank, allowing for the engraving of the recipient’s name and the date and place of his or her deed. Criteria for award

The Medal of Honor, established by joint resolution of Congress, July 12, 1862, (amended by Act of July 9, 1918, and Act of July 25, 1963) is awarded in the name of Congress to a person, who, while a member of the armed forces, distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against any 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 deed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice, an action that conspicuously distinguished the individual above his comrades. Incontestable proof of the performance of service is exacted and the recommendation for award of this decoration is considered on the standard of extraordinary merit. Eligibility is limited to members of the armed forces of the United States in active military service.

http://www.medalofhonor.com/MedalofHonorCriteria.htm

Medal of Honor winner Lucas dies at 80
Jack Lucas, who at 14 lied his way into military service during World War II and became the youngest Marine to receive the Medal of Honor, died Thursday in a Hattiesburg, Miss., hospital. He was 80.
Now days, 14 …