How hard is it to get a Medal of Honor?

Getting the Medal of Honor is incredibly difficult, requiring an act of valor "above and beyond the call of duty" during combat, proven by at least two eyewitnesses, and undergoing an extremely rigorous, multi-year vetting process that involves numerous high-level military and presidential approvals, making it the U.S. military's highest honor, awarded to a tiny fraction of service members. The standards have become stricter over time as other valor awards were introduced, and the process demands irrefutable evidence of extreme heroism.

How rare is it to get the Medal of Honor?

On this day in 1863, the U.S. Army Medal of Honor was created. #DidYouKnow: Over 41 million Americans have served in the U.S. Army throughout its history, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and only 2,467 Soldiers have ever been awarded the highest award for valor. That's 0.006% of all Soldiers.

How hard is it to earn a Medal of Honor?

Receiving the Medal of Honor is the highest honor bestowed by the American Military and personally presented by the President of the United States. Because of the need for accuracy the recommendation process can take in excess of 18 months with intense scrutiny every step of the way.

Is the Medal of Honor a big deal?

The greatest commendation our nation can confer is the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is reserved for those who have distinguished themselves "conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty."

Has anyone refused the Medal of Honor?

The Medal of Honor is the highest award the United States can bestow. It's awarded for feats of extraordinary valor. The only rejectionI've heard of is Major S.D. Butler, USMC, who tried to refuse a medal earned during the U.S. intervention in Vera Cruz, Mexico.

THE MEDAL OF HONOR EXPLAINED

Has a girl ever got the Medal of Honor?

Mary Edwards Walker remains the only women ever to receive the Medal of Honor, which she was awarded for her service during the Civil War. She grew up in Oswego, New York, raised by her progressive parents along with her six brothers and sisters.

What rank was Audie Murphy when he won the Medal of Honor?

For these actions, Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor. Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company B 15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Holtzwihr France, 26 January 1945. Citation: Second Lt.

Who was the youngest Medal of Honor recipient?

On Oct. 5, 1945, President Harry S. Truman placed the Medal of Honor around Jacklyn Harrell Lucas' neck.

Who is the only US President to receive a Medal of Honor?

The sole U.S. President to receive the Medal of Honor is Theodore Roosevelt, awarded posthumously in 2001 for his leadership of the "Rough Riders" during the Spanish-American War, specifically for his actions at the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba. Despite being nominated earlier, the award wasn't finalized until President Bill Clinton presented it over a century later. 

Which state has the most medals of honor?

These are the states with the most recipients accredited to them as of March 24, 2025: New York (677) Pennsylvania (380) Massachusetts (265)

Do Medal of Honor winners pay taxes?

Medal of Honor Recipient Benefits

A special tax-free Medal of Honor pension of $1,619.34 per month above and beyond any military pensions or other benefits for which they may be eligible.

Is it illegal to sell a Medal of Honor?

Due to the prestige of the Medal of Honor, it is a federal crime to manufacture, sell, or trade these awards without authorization of the federal government. It is also illegal to use unauthorized Medals of Honors to receive benefits, such as money or property.

Do you salute a MoH recipient?

Medal of Honor Recipients are the only individuals saluted by all ranks of the military—including the President. As the only military decoration worn around the neck, the Medal of Honor has evolved since its founding in 1861. Today there are three variants, one for each military branch.

Do Medal of Honor recipients fly for free?

Lifelong air travel privileges covered under DoD regulation 4515.13-R allow MoH recipients to travel on Space-A flights free of charge, including both domestic and international travel. Family members are eligible for these benefits as well, provided the MoH recipient accompanies them on their trip.

Has a Medal of Honor ever been revoked?

Has anyone ever had their Medal of Honor rescinded or revoked? Yes. In 1916, Congress asked that all Medals awarded up to that point be reviewed to ensure that they met the high standards required for the award. As a result, 911 Medals of Honor were rescinded.

What ethnicity has the most medals of honor?

There have been 87 African-American recipients, 41 Hispanic-American recipients, 22 Native American recipients, 22 Asian-American recipients, and one female recipient. There have been 19 double Medal of Honor recipients.

Why did Truman refuse the Medal of Honor?

The gist of the letter to Congress was that the Medal of Honor was an award for bravery in combat. Giving it to Truman just because he's a former President would water down the award's importance.

Who is the most famous Medal of Honor recipient?

While "fame" is subjective, Audie Murphy is arguably the most famous Medal of Honor recipient, known as the most decorated U.S. soldier of World War II, who later became a successful Hollywood actor, making his story widely recognized beyond military circles. Other highly recognized figures include Desmond Doss, the conscientious objector whose story was popularized by the movie Hacksaw Ridge, and historical figures like Smedley Butler, who received the award twice.
 

Who is the youngest person to win the Medal of Honor?

Meet 12-year-old Willie Johnston, the youngest Medal of Honor recipient in United States history. Despite his young age, Willie displayed courage and determination beyond his years during the American Civil War. Willie's father enlisted in the Union Army in 1861, and the young boy begged to join him.

Has a father and son won the Medal of Honor?

Arthur MacArthur Jr. and Douglas MacArthur were the first father and son ever to each be awarded a Medal of Honor. To date, the only other father and son to be given this honor are former president Theodore Roosevelt and his son, Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

Why is 1.9 Marines called the Walking Dead?

The 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (1/9) were called "The Walking Dead" due to their extraordinarily high casualty rates and sustained combat in Vietnam, earning the highest Killed in Action (KIA) rate in Marine Corps history, with the name sometimes attributed to enemies promising to destroy them and later adopted by the unit itself as a badge of honor. 

Why did the Medal of Honor fail?

The Medal of Honor franchise failed due to intense competition (especially Call of Duty), failure to innovate in the crowded shooter market, inconsistent quality, poor design choices in later titles (like Warfighter), technical issues, and a loss of its original identity, ultimately leading EA to shelve the series after Warfighter's poor performance and again after the mixed reception of the VR title Above & Beyond. 

What was Audie Murphy's net worth when he died?

At the time of his death in 1971, decorated WWII hero and actor Audie Murphy's net worth was estimated at around $300,000, though he struggled financially with gambling and bad investments, even declaring bankruptcy in 1968, showing his wealth didn't match his fame. 

What is Audie's catchphrase?

Audie is an orange wolf with a whitish yellow coloration on her snout, hands, feet, and the tip of her tail. She resembles a fox, and her catchphrase "foxtrot" references her fox-like appearance.

What disease did Audie Murphy have?

Murphy suffered from what is now known as post-traumatic stress disorder, experiencing headaches, depression and nightmares; he once said that he could sleep only with a loaded pistol under his pillow. In 1971, at the age of 46, Murphy died in the crash of a private plane near Roanoke, Virginia.