Shannon Rae
Medal of Honor
Valor on the Battlefield
The Medal of Honor, created during the Civil War, is the United States’ highest military decoration for acts of valor in combat. Presented by the president in the name of Congress, it is the American armed forces’ oldest continuously issued combat decoration. To date, almost half of the more than 3,400 medals have been presented to U.S. service members who fought in the Civil War.
Explore the Medal of Honor
Designing the Medal of Honor
Since the award was instituted in 1863, the design of the Medal of Honor has gone through several iterations. Some changes have been minor, others...
Medal of Honor Recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams Visits Gettysburg
World War II Medal of Honor recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams reflects on the sense of duty felt by soldiers, whether during the Civil War or in the...
Better Late Than Never
Learn about two Civil War Medal of Honor recipients – Andrew Jackson Smith and Alonzo Cushing – and their long-winding journeys to the Medal of Honor...
Behind the Scenes: Capturing the Stories of Three Modern Medal of Honor Recipients
Take a peek behind the scenes with the historians, filmmakers, photographers, designers and editors who helped make these the Brothers In Valor...
Edward Ratcliff's Legacy
This past summer, we joined brother Damon and Edward Radcliffe brothers on a journey through their extraordinary ancestor’s footsteps, visiting the...
John Patterson at the Wilderness
An account of the brave actions of Medal of Honor recipient John Patterson during the Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864.
More About the Medal of Honor
- Covered With Glory: The African American Heroes of New Market Heights »
- John Patterson at the Wilderness »
- Christian Fleetwood's Medal of Honor »
- Horror and Heroism at the Slaughter Pen Farm »
- Valor Aboard the USS Carondelet »
- Alonzo Cushing at Gettysburg »
- Alonzo H. Cushing »
- Wilson's Creek Medals of Honor »
- Lt. John Patterson and the Medal of Honor »
- USCT Soldiers Proved Their Heroism at New Market Heights »
- Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain »
- Daniel E. Sickles »
- Behind the Scenes: Capturing the Stories of Three Modern Medal of Honor Recipients »
- Brothers In Valor Trailer »
In the Footsteps of Heroes
Every Medal a story to be told; every recipient part of something greater. Explore the inspiring lives of those who have worn the Medal of Honor.