Thread by @USArmyCMH

25 MARCH - NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR DAY

National Medal of Honor Day was instituted in 1990 to "focus the efforts of national, State, and local organizations striving to foster public appreciation and recognition of Medal of Honor recipients."

#Armyhistory #MOH #USArmy

The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest and most prestigious military decoration. It is presented to members of the U.S. armed forces for conspicuous acts of valor and courage demonstrated above and beyond the call of duty.

#TRADOC #MilitaryHistory

It was first proposed within the War Department in 1861, but LT Gen Winfield Scott, chief of the U.S. Army, rejected the idea. He believed the awarding of such medals too closely resembled the European practice of bestowing decorations on members of an aristocratic officer corps.

Sec of the Navy Gideon Welles, requested Congress include provisions for a medal of honor to recognize the distinguished service of deserving petty officers, sailors, bandsmen and marines in the act that established the new Navy regulations, which was signed into law in 1862.

In February 1862, after Scott had retired, Senator Henry Wilson, chairman of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs and the Militia, introduced a bill to provide for the awarding of an Army version, which was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on 12 July of that year.

This measure provided for awarding a medal of honor "to such non-commissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action and other soldier-like qualities during the present insurrection" - retroactive to 1861.

Congress made it a permanent award and expanded eligibility to include officers of the Army on 3 March 1863. The first Medals of Honor were presented to six enlisted members from the 2d, 21st and 33d Ohio Infantry Regiments, U.S. Volunteers, on 25 March 1863.