

However, the idea of recognizing individual acts of bravery dates back to the Revolutionary War. The Medal of Honor did not exist until the Civil War. It is awarded for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.” Given the inherently dangerous nature of its criteria, the Medal of Honor is often awarded posthumously. It is presented by the president of the United States in the name of Congress and thus is often mistakenly referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest award for military valor and it can be awarded to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. More than 40 million men and women have served in the armed forces of the United States since the beginning of the Civil War, but fewer than 3,500 men and one woman have been awarded the Medal of Honor. When the president placed the medal on its distinctive blue ribbon around Staff Sergeant Giunta’s neck, the young Soldier became a member of one of the most exclusive fraternities in the world. Giunta became the first living person to receive the nation’s highest decoration for valor for actions that have occurred since the Vietnam War. On November 16, 2010, Salvatore Giunta, then staff sergeant, received the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama in a White House ceremony. For this courageous and selfless act under intense enemy fire, Specialist Giunta was nominated for the Medal of Honor. Specialist Salvatore Giunta, one of the fire team leaders, seeing that the enemy intended to capture his comrade, exposed himself to withering enemy fire and sprinted after the Taliban, killing one and wounding the other, after which he provided medical aid to Sergeant Brennan and dragged him back to safety. During the firefight, two Taliban began to drag Brennan away from the kill zone. In the intense battle that ensued, Sergeant Joshua Brennan, walking point, was hit multiple times.

On October 25, 2007, in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, a patrol from 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team, was returning to Combat Outpost Vimoto when it ran into a Taliban ambush. The other process is through nomination by a member of Congress, usually at the request of a constituent and approved by a special act of Congress.From the Civil War to Afghanistan, the United States’ highest valor award has recognized feats of courage and sacrifice. The most common is a service member submits a nomination through the chain of command. There are two protocols for awarding the Medal of Honor.Among other privileges, Medal of Honor recipients receive invitations to attend presidential inaugurations and accompanying festivities. military award worn around the neck as opposed to being pinned on the uniform. There have been 19 double Medal of Honor recipients. There have been 87 African-American recipients, 41 Hispanic-American recipients, 22 Native American recipients, 22 Asian-American recipients, and one female recipient.Today, there are 103 living recipients of the Medal of Honor.Ross McGinnis in June for his service in Iraq. The most recent Medal of Honor was given posthumously to Army Spc.Only seven Medals of Honor have been awarded since the Vietnam War, all posthumously – two for service in Somalia, one in Afghanistan and four in Iraq.To date, there have been 3,473 Medals of Honor awarded.Jacob Parrot, and five others, on March 25, 1863, for their service in the Civil War. The first Medal of Honor was awarded to Army Pvt.The Medal of Honor was established by a joint resolution of Congress in July 1862, and was first issued during the Civil War.The deed performed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his comrades and must have involved risk of life. The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States.
