The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest award in the United States for valor in action against an enemy. Less than 3,450 have received this prestige honor since its inception. The medal is generally presented to the individual by the President of the United States on behalf of Congress.
Instructions
1. Serve in the United States military. The Congressional Medal of Honor is only given to individuals serving in one of the U.S. military branches. Civilians are not eligible for this award.
2. Distinguish yourself in battle with an enemy force or while on a peacekeeping mission. Acts considered for the award have to be above and beyond the actions of other soldiers in the situation in order to be considered. Since World War II, the criteria have been that the individual needs to exhibit extreme bravery beyond the person's call of duty.
3. Be nominated. Today, an individual needs to be nominated by a service member within the individual's chain of command or by a member of Congress. Although self-nominations happened in the past, they are no longer considered.
4. Pass through the proper nomination channels. After nomination for the award, the nomination must be approved at various levels. The individual's actions in battle are reviewed and assessed before a final decision is made on whether the individual receives the medal.
5. Have the Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to you by the President of the United States. This prestigious honor is always awarded by the President to the individual or the individual's family if the individual has passed away previously.
Tags: receive, congressional, medal, honor, Congressional Medal, Congressional Medal Honor, Medal Honor, United States, awarded President, individual needs
