The Medals of Honor -- Army, Navy, and Air Force. (Personnel of the Marine Corps and Coast Guard receive the Navy version.)

National Medal of Honor Day – March 25th

121 received Medal of Honor for heroism in WWI

By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
and
Tim Hudak
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 

The greatest military commendation that our nation can confer is the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor has been awarded to 3,493 individuals during 26 conflicts. Today, there are currently 79 living Medal of Honor recipients.

The first Medals of Honor were presented during the American Civil War, at a ceremony that took place on March 25, 1863. On that day, U.S. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton presented Medals of Honor (Army) to six members of “Andrews Raiders” for their voluntary participation in what became known as the Great Locomotive Chase, a dangerous operation deep behind Confederate lines in April of 1862.

To commemorate that date, and to honor all Medal of Honor recipients, Congress declared March 25th as National Medal of Honor Day.

The Medal of Honor is reserved for those who have distinguished themselves “conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity.” This National Medal of Honor Day, we remember the courage and selfless sacrifice of those incredible individuals.

121 men received the Medal for their actions in World War I, 34 of them posthumously. Of those awards, 92 were from the Army, 21 from the Navy, and 8 from the Marine Corps.

We salute those heroes, and we give our support to all on this National Medal of Honor Day.

Read the entire list of World War I Medal of Honor awardees here:

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