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Guides

Understand the Medal of Honor, American military decorations and how to honor those who serve.

The basics

What Is the Medal of Honor? History, Design and Criteria

How America’s highest military decoration began in the Civil War, what it takes to earn it, the three designs, and why it is called the “Congressional” Medal of Honor.

The process

How the Medal of Honor Is Awarded: Nomination to White House Ceremony

The step-by-step path of a Medal of Honor recommendation, the legal time limits, how Congress waives them, and why so many medals are awarded decades late.

FAQ

Medal of Honor FAQ: Answers to the Most Common Questions

How many recipients are there, who was the first, has a woman received it, do generals salute recipients? Straight answers backed by our archive.

Benefits

Medal of Honor Benefits and Privileges

The special pension, burial honors, travel, commissary and academy privileges that come with the Medal of Honor — and where to check current details.

Genealogy

How to Research a Military Ancestor and Find Their Grave

A practical guide to service records, pension files, unit histories, newspapers and gravesite locators — with the free sources genealogists use most.

Calendar

Military Holidays and Observances Calendar

Exact dates for Medal of Honor Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, service birthdays and other days to honor American troops — this year and next.

Take action

Ways to Honor American Troops

Letters, care packages, volunteering and trusted organizations.

Decorations

U.S. Military Medals in Order of Precedence

From the Medal of Honor to the Purple Heart.

Statistics

Medal of Honor Facts & Records

Youngest, oldest, busiest days and more.