The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. Recipients must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously. The President of the United States, in the name of the United States Congress, has awarded more than 3,520 Medals of Honor, including 19 second awards, to the nation's soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen since the decoration's creation in 1861.see which is updated when new awards are presented. The exact number is included in the main Medal of Honor article.

The citations highlighting acts of gallantry that received the Medal of Honor have been and continue to be regularly released by book publishers. After the Second World War, both the Army and Navy produced hardbound Medal of Honor compilations.The Medal of Honor of the United States Army, United States. Department of the Army. Public Information Division, [Washington, [U.S. Govt. Print. Off., 1948] and Medal of Honor, 1861–1949, the Navy. United States Bureau of Naval Personnel. [Washington, 1950?] Between 1964 and 1979, the United States Senate Subcommittee on Veterans' Affairs of the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare and later the Committee on Veterans' Affairs produced a number of consolidated compilations of all Medal of Honor citations to date.Medal of Honor recipients, 1863–1963. Prepared for the Subcommittee on Veterans' Affairs of the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, United States Senate. 1964 was the first of these publications. Additions and changes to the list of recipients of the medal since 1979 have been regularly published by the Congressional Research Service.Medal of Honor Recipients: 1979–2014, Anne Leland, Information Research Specialist, Congressional Research Service, December 2, 2014

The first Army Medal of Honor was awarded to Private Jacob Parrott during the American Civil War for his role in the Great Locomotive Chase.

Bernard John Dowling Irwin was the first (chronologically by action) Medal of Honor recipient during the Apache Wars. His actions on February 13, 1861, are the earliest for which the Medal of Honor was awarded.

The first African American recipient for this award was Robert Blake, who manned his post during a naval engagement against infantry while under heavy fire (William Harvey Carney is commonly and erroneously cited as the first African-American to receive a medal because his actions in combat did precede those of the other African-American recipients, although his physical medal was not presented until 1900). The only female Medal of Honor recipient is Mary Edwards Walker, a Civil War surgeon. Her medal was rescinded in 1917 along with many other non-combat awards, but it was restored by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in 1977.Mears, Dwight S. (2018). The Medal of Honor: The Evolution of America's Highest Military Decoration. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas. ISBN 9780700626656. OCLC 1032014828.

While current law, (), beginning in 1918, explicitly states that recipients must be serving in the U.S. Armed Forces at the time of performing a valorous act that warrants the award, exceptions have been made. Notably, Charles Lindbergh, while a reserve member of the U.S. Army Air Corps, received his Medal of Honor as a civilian pilot. Although Medals of Honor can only be awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces, being a U.S. citizen is not a prerequisite for eligibility to receive the medal. Sixty-one Canadians who were serving in the United States Armed Forces have received the Medal of Honor; most received it for actions in the American Civil War. Since 1900, only four have been awarded to Canadians. In the Vietnam War, Peter C. Lemon was the only Canadian-born recipient of the Medal of Honor. However, he was a U.S. citizen.

19th century

American Civil War

The American Civil War (1861–1865) was a war between the United States (the Union) and the Southern states of the newly formed Confederate States of America under Jefferson Davis. The Medal of Honor was established during this conflict; 1523 were awarded (33 posthumously) for acts of bravery and gallantry in combat. Most awards were granted after the end of the Civil War with two late awards to Andrew Jackson Smith and Alonzo Cushing in 2001 and 2014.

Indian Wars

The term Indian Wars is the name generally used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between colonial or federal governments and the American Indian population resident in North America before the arrival of settlers. During this conflict the Medal of Honor was presented to 426 soldiers, 13 posthumously for acts of bravery and gallantry in combat.

Korean Expedition The United States expedition to Korea in 1871, also known as Shinmiyangyo (Western Disturbance of the Shinmi (1871) year), was the first American military action in Korea. It took place predominantly on and around the Korean island of Ganghwa. The reason for the presence of the American military expeditionary force in Korea was to support an American diplomatic delegation sent to establish trade and diplomatic relations with Korea and to ascertain the fate of the General Sherman merchant ship. The isolationist nature of the Joseon Dynasty government and the assertiveness of the Americans led to an armed conflict between the two parties. Eventually, the United States failed to secure its objectives.

Image Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action UnitNotesNavy – Stood on the gunwale on the Benicia's launch, lashed to the ridgerope and remained unflinchingly in this dangerous position and gave his soundings with coolness and accuracy under a heavy fire. (Brown at right)Marine CorpsAssisted in capturing the Korean flag from the citadel of the fortMarine CorpsFor hand-to-hand combat and saving the life of Alexander McKenzieMarine CorpsReturned to duty after being wounded several timesNavyFor assuming command of Company D, after Lt. McKee was wounded, and handling the company until relievedNavy – Carrying out his duties with coolness, Grace set forth gallant and meritorious conduct throughout this action (Hayden at left)NavyServing as color bearer of the battalion, Hayden planted his flag and protected it under heavy fireNavyGanghwa Island – Fighting the enemy inside the fort, Lukes received a severe cut over the headNavyFighting at the side of Lt. McKee during this action, McKenzie was struck by a sword and received a severe cut in the head from the blow.Marine CorpsFor taking a match-lock from the hands of the enemy while advancing to the parapetNavyGanghwa Island – Merton was severely wounded in the arm while trying to force his way into the fortMarine CorpsFighting courageously in hand-to-hand combat, Owens was badly wounded by the enemy during this action (Purvis in center)Marine CorpsBraving the enemy fire, Purvis was the first to scale the walls of the fort and capture their flagNavyFighting courageously at the side of Lt. McKee during this action, Rogers was wounded by the enemyNavyFighting at the side of Lt. McKee, by whom he was especially commended, Troy was badly wounded by the enemy

Spanish–American War

The Spanish–American War (Spanish: Guerra Hispano-Estadounidense, desastre del 98, Guerra Hispano-Cubana-Norteamericana or Guerra de Cuba) was a military conflict between Spain and the United States that began in April 1898. Hostilities halted in August of that year, and the Treaty of Paris was signed in December. The war began after the American demand for Spain's peacefully resolving the Cuban fight for independence was rejected, though strong expansionist sentiment in the United States may have motivated the government to target Spain's remaining overseas territories: Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Guam and the Caroline Islands.

Riots in Havana by pro-Spanish "Voluntarios" gave the United States reason to send in the warship . This action by the U.S. indicated high national interest. Tension among the American people was raised because of the explosion of USS Maine, and "yellow journalism" - sensationalist reporting that exposed Spain's extensive atrocities, agitating American public opinion. The war ended after decisive naval victories for the United States in the Philippines and Cuba. The Treaty of Paris ended the conflict 109 days after the outbreak of war giving the United States ownership of the former Spanish colonies of Puerto Rico, the Philippines and Guam. The Medal of Honor from the Spanish–American War was presented to 111 people.

Samoan Civil War The Samoan Civil War(s) occurred in the Samoa Islands of the South Pacific in the late 19th century. The Samoan Civil Wars were a series of conflicts between Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, ending in the partitioning of the island chain in 1899. The concluding event was the Second Samoan Civil War. The first Samoan Civil War lasted for eight years. The warring Samoan parties were supplied with arms, training and sometimes even combat troops by Germany, Britain and the United States. These three powers valued Samoa as a refueling station for coal fired shipping. In addition, these countries sought to gain more power in Europe and wanted Samoa due to the scarcity of unclaimed territory from 1870 onwards.

Image Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action UnitNotesNavyFor distinguishing himself by his conduct in the presence of the enemyMarine CorpsSamoaUnknownFor distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy.Marine CorpsSamoaUnknownFor distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy. Subsequently, awarded the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Service Cross for actions during World War I.Marine CorpsSamoaUnknownFor distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy

Philippine-American War

The Philippine–American WarThe Philippine–American War is usually known as the Philippine Insurrection. This name was historically the most commonly used in the U.S., but some Filipino historians refer to these hostilities as the Philippine-American War, and, in 1999, the U.S. Library of Congress reclassified its references to use this term. Most historians continue to refer to the Insurrection. was an armed military conflict between the United States and Filipino nationalists who established the "First Philippine Republic", fought between 1899 and at least 1902, which arose from a Filipino political struggle against U.S. occupation of the Philippines. While the conflict was officially declared over on July 4, 1902, American troops continued hostilities against remnants of the "Philippine Army" and other insurgent groups until 1913, and some historians consider these unofficial mop-up operations part of the war.

Eighty-six men were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions in the Philippine–American War: 70 from the Army, 10 from the Navy, and six from the Marine Corps. Four of the awards were posthumous. Among the recipients were Webb Hayes, the son of former U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes, and two prominent Marine Corps officers, Hiram I. Bearss and David Dixon Porter. Bearss became known for leading long-range reconnaissance patrols behind enemy lines and was later wounded as a colonel in World War I. Porter was from a distinguished military family and rose to become a major general. José B. Nísperos, a member of the Philippine Scouts who was honored for continuing to fight after being wounded, was the first Asian recipient of the Medal of Honor.

Boxer Rebellion