How long does it take to get the Medal of Honor?
Getting the Medal of Honor takes a long time, often years, due to a rigorous review process that can exceed 18 months just for initial processing, with some cases taking decades as recommendations move up the chain of command and require extensive documentation, but official rules state recommendations must be submitted within three years of the act and presented within five, though acts of Congress can waive these limits.How much money do Medal of Honor winners get?
As of December 2025, Medal of Honor recipients receive a special monthly pension, increased by the new MEDAL Act (Monetary Enhancement for Distinguished Active Legends Act) to $5,625 per month, or about $67,500 annually, in addition to other military benefits, with surviving spouses receiving the same increase. This significant raise brings their monthly stipend up from the previous rate of approximately $1,400, covering associated costs for their public appearances and honoring their service.What qualifies you for a Medal of Honor?
The Medal of Honor requires a U.S. service member to distinguish themselves with "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty" during action against an enemy or in military operations, involving acts of heroism so extraordinary they clearly set the individual apart, requiring eyewitness accounts and high-level approval, presented by the President in Congress's name.What state has the most Medal of Honor recipients?
New York has the most Medal of Honor recipients, with significantly more than any other state, followed by Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Illinois, reflecting its large population and historical involvement in major conflicts, particularly the Civil War, according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and U.S. Department of War data.Has anyone received the Medal of Honor twice?
Yes, 19 service members have received the Medal of Honor twice, with 14 earning it for separate acts of valor and five Marines receiving both Army and Navy versions for the same action while serving with Army units. Notable double recipients include Marine Smedley Butler and Sgt. Maj. Daniel Daly, the only enlisted Marine to get it twice, for distinct heroic acts in different conflicts.THE MEDAL OF HONOR EXPLAINED
Who is the only US President to receive a Medal of Honor?
The sole U.S. President to receive the Medal of Honor is Theodore Roosevelt, awarded posthumously in 2001 for his bravery leading the "Rough Riders" in the Battle of San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War, a decoration he long sought for his wartime heroism but was denied by the War Department at the time.Do generals salute Medal of Honor winners?
Yes, by strong military tradition (though not always by strict regulation), all uniformed personnel, including generals, salute Medal of Honor (MoH) recipients, regardless of the recipient's rank, because the salute honors the extraordinary valor the medal represents, making it one of the few instances a higher-ranking officer salutes someone lower in rank. This is a deeply respected practice showing veneration for the sacrifice, even if the MoH recipient isn't in uniform.Who is the most famous Medal of Honor recipient?
Audie Leon Murphy is a World War II legend whose name is still easily recognizable today. Murphy was a movie actor, a country-western songwriter and a poet, but it was his wartime heroics and the Medal of Honor he received for them that first made him a household name.Have any Medals of Honor been revoked?
Has anyone ever had their Medal of Honor rescinded or revoked? Yes. In 1916, Congress asked that all Medals awarded up to that point be reviewed to ensure that they met the high standards required for the award. As a result, 911 Medals of Honor were rescinded.What rank was Audie Murphy when he won the Medal of Honor?
For these actions, Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor. Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company B 15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Holtzwihr France, 26 January 1945. Citation: Second Lt.Do Medal of Honor winners pay taxes?
Yes, Medal of Honor recipients receive a special, tax-free monthly pension from the government, in addition to any other military pay or benefits, making that specific payment exempt from federal income tax. While other income (like regular military retirement) might be taxable, the dedicated Medal of Honor pension ($1,600+ monthly as of late 2022) is a significant tax-free benefit.Why did Denzel get the presidential medal of freedom?
The acclaimed actor is the sixth Fordham grad to receive the nation's highest civilian honor. Denzel Washington received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden during a January 4 ceremony at the White House, where he was described as a generational talent and national role model.What is the rarest military Medal?
The rarest military medals vary by country, but candidates for the absolute rarest include the U.S. Coast Guard Cross (never awarded) and historical U.S. Medal of Honor variants like the Tiffany Cross; globally, the Soviet Order of Victory (only 20 awarded) or the Canadian Victoria Cross (never awarded) are contenders, while the British Victoria Cross is exceptionally rare due to low issuance.Do Medal of Honor winners fly free?
Yes, Medal of Honor (MoH) recipients fly for free on military aircraft using Space-Available (Space-A) travel, with top priority, meaning they get free, priority access to empty seats on military planes for domestic and international travel, though meals might have a small charge, and they also get numerous other benefits like special pensions and base access.Does the military really give you a pension when you hit 20 years?
You must serve for at least 20 years to qualify for Army pension benefits. After retiring from at least 20 years of service, active-duty Soldiers can start pension pay at any age they choose. Army Reserve and Army National Guard Soldiers can start pension pay after turning 60 years old.What is the most expensive military medal ever sold?
The most expensive military medal ever sold at auction is the Victoria Cross (VC), a prestigious British military decoration awarded for acts of valour and courage in the face of the enemy.Has an Olympian ever sold their Medal?
Diving Legend Greg Louganis Sells His Olympic Medals to Move Out of the U.S.: 'I Needed the Money' Natasha Dye is a writer-reporter for PEOPLE covering sports.Who was the youngest Medal of Honor recipient?
The youngest Medal of Honor recipient ever was William "Willie" Johnston, a drummer boy in the Civil War, who received the award at age 13 (though he was just shy of 12 when he earned it) for refusing to abandon his drum during a retreat; he remains the youngest in U.S. history, while Jack Lucas is the youngest since the Civil War, earning it at 17 during World War II for covering grenades, notes homeofheroes.com, U.S. Department of War (.gov), Military.com, and The National WWII Museum | New Orleans.Why did Harry Truman refuse the Medal of Honor?
The gist of the letter to Congress was that the Medal of Honor was an award for bravery in combat. Giving it to Truman just because he's a former President would water down the award's importance.Has a girl ever got the Medal of Honor?
Yes, one woman, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, has received the Medal of Honor, awarded for her Civil War service as a surgeon and spy; though initially rescinded, President Carter posthumously restored it in 1977, making her the only female recipient in U.S. history.Who was the only 7 star general?
8.0 Introduction. No person have ever been awarded or promoted to a seven-star rank, although some commentators might argue that General George Washington posthumously became a seven-star general in 1976 (see Part Seven).What caused Audie Murphy's death?
Audie Murphy died on May 28, 1971, at age 46, in a private plane crash on Brush Mountain near Roanoke, Virginia; the crash, which also killed five others, was attributed to pilot error and bad weather while flying from Atlanta to Martinsville, VA. Murphy, the most decorated U.S. soldier of World War II, struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.When should you not salute?
You should not salute when it's impractical, unsafe, or in certain public/indoor settings, such as while driving, carrying items with both hands, in churches/theaters, or when both individuals are in civilian clothes, though you do salute when reporting to an officer indoors; common sense dictates using a nod or verbal greeting if a salute isn't feasible, especially in combat zones or when it would reveal position.What benefits do Medal of Honor recipients get?
Medal of Honor recipients receive significant federal benefits, including a substantial special monthly pension (recently increased to over $5,000/month, tax-free), lifetime access to military facilities (commissaries, exchanges, MWR), priority space-available air travel, and invitations to presidential inaugurations, plus state benefits like special license plates and burial at Arlington National Cemetery. They also get military benefits like uniform privileges, a valor device, and academy appointments for their children, with a 10% retirement pay boost for enlisted members.
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