Interim 1871–1899: Medal of Honor Recipients

The late 19th century was a period of steam, sail and hazardous shipboard life for the U.S. Navy.

Until 1942 the Medal of Honor could be awarded for heroism that had nothing to do with combat. Most peacetime or “interim” medals went to sailors who plunged into rough seas to save shipmates, fought shipboard fires, or stayed at their posts through boiler explosions — acts of courage that the modern, combat-only criteria would recognize with lifesaving decorations instead.