Medal Of Honor Recipients 1863 1978

The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the nation's highest award for military valor. It is presented by the President in the name of Congress and is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor. Since its first presentation in 1863, close to 3,500 MOHs have been awarded. In 1973, the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs issued a committee print, Vietnam Era Medal of Honor Recipients 1964-72, followed by the committee print, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1978, in 1979. Both committee prints list recipients and provide the full text of the citation, which describes the actions that resulted in the awarding of the medal.

What do Winston Churchill, Bob Hope, George Washington, Joe Louis, Robert Frost, and Mother Teresa have in common? They have all been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Out of the many different types of awards and recognitions Congress can bestow, the Gold Medal is often considered the most prestigious. Each medal is individually commissioned to be struck in gold, making the medals a particularly special way for Congress to express public gratitude and appreciation for distinguished service. Congress has adopted legislation setting specific requirements for other awards, but the Gold Medal is not constrained by any such provisions. Rather, Congress has the freedom to determine whether an individual's actions meet the Gold Medal standard on a case-by-case basis. Although the Congressional Gold Medal represents intense national gratitude and pride in those receiving it, many questions remain about its history and general standards. To answer these questions, this book analyses the process of awarding the Gold Medal, including the casting of the medals themselves. Also presented is a list of each recipient and the reasons for the award. Because individuals in fields as wide apart as boxing and poetry can earn a Congressional Gold Medal, the book on its unique nature presented here makes for interesting and useful reading, as well as a 'must' purchase for libraries.