Is the Medal of Honor a Military Award?

The Medal of Honor is a prestigious military award that acknowledges extraordinary acts of bravery and heroism in the face of the enemy. This article aims to explore the eligibility criteria for the Medal of Honor, the historical context, and the instances of civilian recipients.

The Nature of the Medal of Honor

Generically speaking, the Medal of Honor is indeed a military award. It is exclusively given to members of the United States military who have distinguished themselves through heroic actions beyond the call of duty. The medal was first established on February 19, 1862, by President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the award, individuals must have distinguished themselves by displaying extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States. The actions must be taken at great personal risk and go above and beyond the duties of their regular military functions. Once the act of heroism is confirmed, it is entered into the Army Register and referred to the Department of Defense for further evaluation and recommendation for the medal.

Historical Context and Civilian Recipients

While the majority of recipients of the Medal of Honor are military personnel, there have indeed been rare instances of civilians receiving the honor. However, these were rare and mostly occurred in the late 19th century. According to records, Charles Lindbergh, the famous aviator, is believed to be the last civilian to receive the medal. This occurred upon his return from an international flight during a celebration of his achievements in aviation.

Previous Civilian Recipients

Other notable civilian recipients of the Medal of Honor include:

James Button: A freed slave named James Button was the first and only civilian to receive the medal during the Battle of White Hall in 1864. He died from his war-related injuries in 1878. Thomas Custer: Also known as "Little Sure Shot," he was the youngest brother of General George Armstrong Custer and a Medal of Honor recipient before Custer's Last Stand in 1867. John William Lincoln: John W. Lincoln, a member of the 1st California Infantry, received the medal for his valorous actions during the Civil War. He was posthumously honored in the early 1980s, illegally, as was later discovered, and the award was rescinded. Marie Mancini: Marie Mancini, a nurse in Spain during the Spanish-American War, was awarded the medal for her service in the Spanish-American War when she refused to flee the sinking hospital ship, San Juan City. The authenticity of this award, however, remains a matter of debate.

Rescinded Awards

Given the rarity of civilian recipients, it is not surprising that, in some cases, previous medals were rescinded. Marie Mancini, mentioned above, was initially honored posthumously in a ceremony that took place in 1919. However, the authenticity of her actions and the legitimacy of her award were later questioned. The award was therefore rescinded, highlighting the stringent criteria over time regarding who can receive the Medal of Honor.

Conclusion

The Medal of Honor is indeed a military award, designed to honor acts of extreme heroism. While it is primarily awarded to military personnel, the rarer instances of civilian recipients highlight special acts of service during times of conflict. Despite these unique cases, the medal remains strictly a military distinction, maintaining its highest standards and rigorous requirements for its award.