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
Mary E. Walker
Though not honored for any specific deed or gallantry, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker remains to this day the only female recipient of the Medal of Honor...
Covered With Glory: The African American Heroes of New Market Heights
Fourteen African American soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the Sept. 29, 1864 Battle of New Market Heights. These men...
After the Battle: The Later Lives of Medal of Honor Recipients
The post-war lives of Civil War Medal of Honor recipients and the sometimes circuitous routes they took to receiving our nation’s honor
Medal of Honor Recipient Melvin Morris Visits Morris Island
Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient Melvin Morris visits Fort Wagner battlefield and reflects on his connection to the first African American soldier...
Joseph H. De Castro
Joseph H. De Castro made history as the first Hispanic to earn the Medal of Honor— the United States’ highest military decoration for valor in combat...
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...
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.