Guide Note:The Congressional Medal of Honor is the United States’ highest award granted to members of the Armed Services for valor in action against enemy forces.

During the Civil War Gideon Welles, Secretary of Navy, developed an award for heroism by enlisted men. On December 21, 1861 President Abraham Lincoln signed an resolution establishing the Navy Medal of Honor, this was the precursor to the Congressional Medal of Honor, which would be established on July 12, 1862. In the National Defense Act of 1916 Congress redefined the criteria for award of the Medal, limiting it to members of the Armed Services for acts of extreme valor in action against enemy forces. A committee of five retired Army Generals was impaneled to review and evaluate the citation for every medal that had awarded to that point to see if the recipient was qualified under the new criteria. The panel’s recommendations are often referred to as the Purge of 1917. It resulted in 911 citations being vacated and the recipients being requested to permanently surrender their medals. The Federal Charter for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society was signed by President Eisenhower on August 5, 1958. The Society’s main mission is to protect the integrity of the Medal. The first Congressional Medal of Honor Day was declared by Congress in 1991, however it wouldn’t be recognized as a permanent holiday until action by the 110th Congress in 2007. Fast Facts:

1. Established: July 12, 1862
2. Legislation signed by: President Abraham Lincoln
3. Father of the Medal of Honor: Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles
4. First awarded: For action during the American Civil War, March 25, 1863
5. Last awarded: For action in Operation Iraqi Freedom, April 8, 2008
6. Total awarded: 3,466; of them 619 posthumously

Significant Dates:

• 1862: Congressional Medal of Honor Act signed law by President Lincoln
• 1863: March 3rd the criteria changed to allow officers to earn the Medal
• 1863: First award presented to Bernard J. D. Irwin for action on February 13, 1861, three years before the award was established
• 1917: 911 citations purged that do not meet new criteria
• 1991: legislation for one time Congressional Medal of Honor Day, March 25
• 2005: Stolen Valor Act, makes selling, manufacturing and unauthorized wear illegal
• 2007: March 25th permanently established as Congressional Medal of Honor Day

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