1. Medal of Honor

2. Objectives Explain what the Medal of Honor is
Identify and describe the three types of Medal of Honors
Describe the history of the Medal of Honor
Identify, define, and give examples of the characteristics of Medal of Honor recipients (courage, integrity, sacrifice, commitment, citizenship, and patriotism)

3. What is the Medal of Honor?
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. Generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress, it is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor.

4. The 3 Present Day Variations of the Medal Of Honor
                             
                            
                         
The 3 Present Day Variations of the Medal Of Honor
Army Navy Air Force

5. The Navy medal was the first to be struck, followed quickly by the Army version of this award. There are three different types of Medals of Honor today as seen directly below: the original simple star shape established in 1861 which the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard have retained; a wreath version designed in 1904 for the Army; and an altered wreath version for the Air Force, designed in 1963 and adopted in 1965.

6. When considering the design of the Medal of Honor there are two factors one must remember:
1)  The Medal of Honor was designed in the early days of the Civil War to represent the valiant efforts of the Union Army, Navy and Marines, and
2)  Over the years as the Medal has become a historic symbol of the bravest of the brave, in respect to all who have earned it, little has been done to change its design.

7. THE ORIGINAL Navy Medal of Honor
The Navy's Medal of Honor was the first approved and the first designed.  The initial work was done by the Philadelphia Mint at the request of Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles.  The Mint submitted several designs for consideration, and the one prepared by the Philadelphia firm of William Wilson & Sons was the design selected.

8. NAVY MEDAL OF HONOR (1862)
For all practical intents and purposes, the Navy Medal of Honor remains the same today as it did when it was born.  The only change has been in the attachment that connects it to the ribbon, and the ribbon itself.  Originally the Navy Medal of Honor was suspended from its red, white and blue ribbon by an anchor wrapped with a length of rope.  The reverse side of the Medal was inscribed with the words "Personal Valor" above an open area in which the recipient's name could be engraved.

9. ARMY  MEDAL OF HONOR (1862)
Struck from the same die as the Navy Medal of Honor, the original Army Medal differed only in the emblem that attached it to the same red, white and blue ribbon as the Navy.  Replacing the anchor was an eagle perched on crossed cannon and clutching a saber in its talons.  Replacing the words "Personal Valor" on the back of the Medal were the words "The Congress To" with an area to engrave the recipient's name.

10. AIR FORCE MEDAL OF HONOR (1965)
  Authorized in 1956, the Air Force unveiled its own design for the Medal of Honor in 1965.  About 50% larger than the other services' Medals of Honor, it retained the laurel wreath and oak leaves of the Army Medal which had previously been presented to members of the Army Air Service and Air Corps.  It also retained the bar bearing the word "VALOR".  Inside the circle of stars the helmeted profile of Minerva from the Army's medal is replaced by the head of the Statue of Liberty.   Replacing the Army's eagle is the Air Force

11. There have been 3,445 Medals awarded
Civil War-1,522
World Ward I-124
World War II-464
Vietnam-2445
Afghanistan-1
Iraq-2

12. Characteristics of Medal of Honor Recipients
Courage
Integrity
Sacrifice
Commitment
Citizenship
Patriotism

13. Characteristics of Medal of Honor Recipients
Courage-mental or moral strength, to persevere, and withstand, danger fear, or difficulty
Integrity-firm adherence to a code of values, honesty
Sacrifice-suffer loss of, give up, or destroy for an ideal or belief
Commitment-means to duty or pledge to some thing or someone
Citizenship-the quality of an individual’s response to membership in a community
Patriotism-love for or devotion to one’s country