Has a civilian ever received the Medal of Honor?

There are eight civilians who have received the Medal of Honor. The civilian recipients were all from the Civil War era, including the only woman to receive the medal, Mary Edwards Walker, a surgeon for the Union Army during the Civil War.

What is the civilian equivalent of the Medal of Honor?

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with the comparable Congressional Gold Medal—the highest civilian award in the U.S. It recognizes those individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the ...

Has anyone received 2 Medals of Honor?

To date, the maximum number of Medals of Honor earned by any service member has been two. The last living individual to be awarded two Medals of Honor was John J. Kelly October 3, 1918; the last individual to receive two Medals of Honor for two different actions was Smedley Butler, in 1914 and 1915.

Has anyone ever received three medals of honor?

President Joe Biden awarded the nation's highest military honor to the three during a White House ceremony yesterday. Cashe and Celiz were honored posthumously, while Plumlee received the award in person.

What is the highest honor a civilian can receive?

The Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal are the highest civilian awards of the United States. The award is not limited to U.S. citizens and, while it is a civilian award, it can also be awarded to military personnel and worn on the uniform.

Medal of Honor recipient shares harrowing tale of heroism

Is the Medal of Honor real gold?

An inquiry by The Washington Times showed that the Congressional Medal of Honor, awarded for exceptional wartime combat gallantry, costs $29.98 to produce and is made mostly of brass alloy.

Can a civilian wear military medals?

It is permissible for veterans and retirees to wear military awards on civilian clothes for gatherings of a military theme. On significant holidays, veterans and retirees are encouraged to wear their awards and medals. The choice of either full-size medal or miniature is an individual one.

Has anyone refused the Medal of Honor?

Harry S.

Truman blocked an effort by the House of Representatives to award him the Presidential Medal of Honor in 1971. President Truman famously said he would rather get the Medal of Honor, a military honor, than be president. But in 1971, he blocked an attempt by the House of Representatives to give him the medal.

Do generals salute Medal of Honor winners?

Military tradition dictates all uniformed service members salute to Medal-of-Honor awardees regardless of rank. Even the most-senior military officer will participate in this tradition out of respect for the sacrifices the awardees made.

Who is the youngest Medal of Honor recipient?

Jack Lucas was 17 when he became the youngest Medal of Honor recipient since the Civil War after jumping onto two grenades to save his fellow Marines.

Is Audie Murphy still the most decorated soldier?

Audie Murphy (1924–1971) was the most decorated soldier in US history, winning 24 medals from the Congressional Medal of Honor down. His exploits were the subject of To Hell and Back (USA, 1956), in which he starred as himself.

What is the rarest military Medal?

The Victoria Cross is the 'holy grail' for medal collectors because there are only 1,357 in existence. Bearing the inscription 'For valour' and known as a VC, this medal was first awarded for 'conspicuous bravery' in 1856 and later backdated to the Crimean war of 1854.

Can a Medal of Honor be taken away?

The Stolen Valor Acts of 2005 and 2013 (Public Law 109-437 and 113-12) address this issue. The 2005 Law makes it illegal to buy or sell the Medal of Honor, its ribbon or its rosette, including replicas or reproductions.

Do Medal of Honor recipients fly free?

Priority Space-A Travel

The same free travel opportunity afforded on military flights for active-duty military members, retirees and their families is also provided to Medal of Honor recipients.

Do Medal of Honor recipients get paid for life?

In addition to a lifelong monthly stipend, Medal of Honor recipients have special “Space-A” - that is, “space available” - air transportation privileges, and their children can attend the military academies (without nomination and regardless of quota requirements), among other benefits.

Has a woman ever got the Medal of Honor?

Out of the nearly 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients, only one was a woman -- just one -- and her medal was actually rescinded just before she died. In honor of Women's History Month, we're looking back on the life of that exceptional woman: Dr. Mary Walker, who helped change the face of medicine during the Civil War.

Has a Medal of Honor ever been sold?

A German auction house has sold an historic Medal of Honor — despite opposition from Sen. Ted Cruz and the National Medal of Honor Museum who urged the U.S. government to intervene and stop the sale. Army Pvt.

Is it disrespectful for a civilian to salute a soldier?

TLDR – Civilians should face the flag and place their right hand over their heart during the National Anthem. Saluting the flag is a gesture reserved for the military. While civilians can salute soldiers, many veterans consider it inappropriate or awkward.

Why was Mary Walker's Medal of Honor rescinded?

But nearly half a century later, Walker's Congressional Medal was rescinded after Congress tweaked the Medal of Honor criteria to include only "actual combat with the enemy." (A military board reinstated Walker's honor posthumously in 1977.)

Do Medal of Honor winners pay taxes?

Medal of Honor recipients are invited to every presidential inaugural ball and they never pay federal income tax again.

Can you win the Medal of Honor twice?

Nineteen servicemen have been awarded the Medal of Honor twice. Fourteen have been awarded the medal for two separate events. The U.S. Navy is the most awarded branch with eight sailors, some receiving the award not for combat heroism but life-saving actions.

Can I wear my grandfather's war medals?

When is OK to wear my relatives medals ? War medals and service decorations of any sort may be worn only by the person upon whom they were conferred, and in no case does the right to wear war or service medals, or their ribbons, pass to any relative when the recipient is dead.

Can I wear my dads war medals?

The rule is that war medals should only be worn on the left breast by the person upon whom they were conferred. Technically this honour remains with the individual and does not pass to a widow, parent or relative upon death.

What medals can a civilian get?