Created to recognize the greatest acts of valor in combat, the Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest and most prestigious military award. While the medal itself is awarded by the President of the United States, the award is presented, “in the name of the United States Congress,” and is referred to as the “Congressional Medal of Honor.” Today, we’re diving into the history of this award and the incredible stories that made it possible.
The Beginning
Believe it or not, the first attempt at creating a military award for valor wasn’t successful. During the Civil War, a proposal for such an award landed on the desk of Commanding General of the United States Army, Lieutenant General Winfield Scott. Scott denied the proposal, following the European tradition of keeping awards out of military service. Shortly thereafter, Scott retired, and a similar proposal was presented during the second session of the 37th Congress, except this proposal only sought to recognize service members in the Navy. The bill passed and President Abraham Lincoln signed it into law, ushering in a new period of military recognition. The medal was quickly adopted by the Army a few months later and finally by the Air Force in 1965.
The First Medal of Honor
Army Pvt. Jacob Parrott enlisted in the Army as part of Company K, 33rd Ohio Voluntary Infantry, during the Civil War. In April 1862, Parrott and a handful of other volunteers were asked to journey deep into Confederate territory to destroy bridges, railroad tracks and other infrastructure between Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Atlanta.
Parrott and his fellow soldiers began their mission and got as far as Atlanta before hopping on an enemy train heading north. When the train finally stopped and its Confederate occupants got out for breakfast, Parrott and his team uncoupled the engine, fuel car and boxcars, then piloted the train out of the station. As they hauled from one bridge to the next, they inflicted as much damage as they could until the Confederate soldiers caught up to them.
Parrott, and every soldier involved, was captured by the Confederacy, eventually returning back home via a prisoner exchange. Army Pvt. Jacob Parrott would receive the first Medal of Honor for his involvement in the mission, along with five of his brothers in arms.
Catching Up
The Medal of Honor has come a long way since being rejected by Lieutenant General Winfield Scott in 1861. Since then, over 3,500 military service members have received the award, including more than 80 African Americans, 50 Hispanic Americans, 30 Asian Americans and 30 Native Americans. To this day, only one woman has received the award—Mary Edwards Walker—but we’re certain many more will follow.
Photograph shows portrait of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker who had served as assistant surgeon of the 52nd Ohio Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War and was the only woman to ever receive the Medal of Honor.
Learn more about the Medal of Honor and the incredible soldiers who have received the award here.