Awarded by the President, in the name of Congress, the Medal of Honor is awarded based on merit, personal sacrifice, and inherent American ideals without regard to uniform, background or rank. Established by President Lincoln in 1861, the Medal of Honor is our country’s highest and most prestigious decoration for valor in combat. In the last 160 years, over 40 million Americans have served in the United States Armed Forces. Only 3,511—less than 1%—have received the Medal of Honor.
The National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, will serve as the premier national institution dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories, impact, and legacy of everyday Americans who went on to become our nation’s greatest heroes - Medal of Honor recipients. There has never been a more critical time in our country’s history to learn from and pay tribute to those who have shaped our great nation.
Like the Medal of Honor recipients it honors, the Museum will define what it means to live and lead with character, humility, integrity, and personal sacrifice. Together, we will:
- Preserve the legacy of the Medal of Honor recipients, sharing their stories to proliferate American values.
- Honor the courage, commitment, and sacrifice of the United States military.
- Inspire each American to go “above and beyond” and make courageous choices when it matters most.
You can read more about each recipient at mohmuseum.org.