The Washington times., 1902-05-18
Priced Beyond Compare
by Men of the United
States Army.
TWO THOUSAND SECURED
Vain for This Mark of Distinction
Courage, Endurance, Danger Beyond
the Best Is Needed to Acquire 1t.

bit of bronze suspended from a small
shield of the same material by piece of
red. white. and blue ribbon about an inch
in length: Of practically no intrinsic
value; decoration that would be lost in
the glitter and dazzle of hundreds OF
European insignias: yet mark of distinc-
tion that nearly five million men have
sought for and two thousand odd have
secured
of practically no intrinsic value; a deco
ration that would be lost in the glitter
and dazzle of hundreds of European in
signals; yet a mark of distinction that
nearly five million men have sought for
and twc thousand-od odd have secured.
Such is the most coveted prize offered
by this great country to its bravest SOL
diers-the Medal of Honor
To obtain this tiny bit of base metal
men have striven with greater courage.
endured more, and placed themselves in
greater danger than the quest of gold or
precious stones could lure them into
They have dashed madly up breastworks
that belched forth deadly hail OF leaden
missiles; they have led forlorn hopes
against seemingly overwhelming hordes of
the enemy. and have cheerfully and will
fngly placed their own lives in jeopardy
with even bare chance of saving a COM
rade as their goal.
In awarding this medal the rank OF So
cial station Of the man is not taken into
consideration. The Congressional Medal
OF Honor" as 1t is officially known, was
authorized by an act of Congress- ap-
proved July II, 1862, and during the years
that have interviewed since that time only
2.525 medals have been presented The
larger part of these decorations have been
won by enlisted men. The records of the
War Department show that but 419 medals
have been issued to commissioned officers
OF the United States Army.
By the provisions of the act authorizing
the medals, it is stated that only such Of
ficers. noncommssioned officers, and pri-
Yates as have most distinguished or who
may hereafter most distinguish themselves
in action shall be awarded the decora-
tion, and the lines Of eligibility are close
ly drawn.
General Miles Medal.
Not even the President as Commander
in-chief of the Army is entitled to wear
one. The Commanding General of the
Army, Lieut.. Gen. Nelson A. Miles, how
ever. is a Medal of Honor man He did
not win the decoration as general Of
ficcr Of the United States Army, and when
be won IL by gallantry in action he was
not even an officer in the regular service.
AS colonel Of the Sixty-first New York
Infantry, General Miles was engaged in
the battle of Charlottesville, Va, on
May and g. 1868. His command was as
Tn an ad ND x,,bs
holding this against repeated assaults by
strong force Of the enemy he was Sc
verely wounded. The mere fact that his
command repuised the advancing enemy
and that he was wounded in action would
not have given General Miles the medal
but his personal bravery and distin-
guished gallantry secured him the decora-
tion.
Simply severe as the Medal Of Honor
Is, IL is seldom. II ever, worn except at
military functions. The heroes who have
achieved deeds that stir the blood Of the
most phlegmatic and have added pages of
the most dramatic nature to the history
of the United States are distinguished by
a simple bow of rcd. white, and blue rib
bon, worn unostentatiously in the but
tonhole.
The German veteran. who proudly wears
the Iron Cross upon his breast; the Eng
secured the Victoria Cross: or the
Frenchman, who has been decorated with
the Cross of the Legion of Honor, are not
more TO be envied than the American
soldier with his knot of red, white, and
blue ribbon, that denotes the reward OF
the highest and most self-sa crifcing
heroism.
A Five-Pointed Star.
The medal is fine pointed star, tipped
with trefoii, each point containing a vic
tors crown of oak and laurel. On official
occasions IL is worn suspended around the
neck and under the center line of the
chin by order Of the War Department. By
order of the President bowknot of rib
bon is worn in the lapel of the coat In
the absence of the medal.
Since the days Of the American Revolu-
tion there have been many medals of vari
Gus designs. issued to the officers and pri
Yates OF the United States Army in recog-
milton Of their services for conspicuous
galiantry. Gen. George Washington first es-
tablished this practice in 1882 The system
of brevets was first inaugurated during
the Mexican War. but this method OF rec
ognizing meritorious gallantry was over
done during the years Immediately fol-
lowing the Civil War and II was recog-
nized that some distinctive decoration was
an absolutely necessity.
Before the present medal was authorized
by Congress there were a number of dec
orations presented to soldiers and sailors
by several OF the State governments, and
by orders of generals commanding depart
ments. As early as June G, 1861. reso-
luton was adopted by the chamber OF
commerce OF the State of New York or
dering "the execution of a series of medals /
of a proper character TO be presented to !
each officer, noncommissioned officer, and /
soldier engaged in the defense of Fort |
Sumter and Fort Pickens In the month of l
May, 1861. This was followed by orders |
authorizing medals to be worn by soldiers I
engaged in certain campaigns and engage
1nents throughout the Civil War.
No Accurate Lists.
There are no accurate lists OF the |
number OF medals issued under these or
ders or authorizations; in fact, some of
the medals thus promised were never is
sued. Then came the action by the Con-
gress Of the United States instituting
the present form OF decoration, which has
continued In force from 1862 until the
present date. Since the commencement
Of the cSpanish-American War but twenty
two officers and men have been decor
ated for special service in Cuba or the
Several years ago a movement was in
stituted by Capt. Michael A. Dillon. him
self Medal OF Honor man. toward the
OF a society TO be known as
he Medal of Honor Legion. The head
quarters we're established In this city,
ipril g. 1890. BY his personal exertions
captain Dillon rapidly increased the
Of the organization. until to- {.