Evening star., 1952-08-03

The Congressional Medal of
Honor, the Army's most coveted
decoration and the Nations
highest military award for brav-
cry. is 80 years old this sum-
mer. In July. 1862, President
Lincoln signed the resolution
authorizing the presentation of
Medals of Honor to soldiers
who shall most distinguish
themselves by their gallantry
in action, and other soldier-like
qualities"
In time. Congress eliminated
all qualifications for winning
the Medal of Honor save one
extraordinary heroism in COM
bat at the risk of life above
and beyond the call of duty.
There is nothing exclusive
about the Medal of Honor save
the winning Of it. It may be won
by any soldier, marine, sailor
or airman. regardless of rank.
1t has been earned by privates
and generals, drummerboys and
musicians, sailors and admirals.
3,ll5 MedoIs
Between May "a. 1861, date
Of the first Civil War Medal of
Honor citation, and the present
war in Korea a total of 3,1l5
officers and men of the Army,
Navy, Marine Corps and Air
Forces have received this deco
ration. This figure includes 1872
peacetime awards of the Navy
Medal of Honor and eight of the
Army Medal of Honor.
Up to now IA Medals of
Honor have been awarded to
American fighting men-living
and dead-for action in Korea.
This is not the first time that
Americans have won this en-
blem Of bravery in "Corea," as
1t was spelled in 1871, when an
American naval force landed
near Seoul to negotiate" a
treaty with the mysterious Her.
NIT Kingdom. This brief, bloody
affair was replete with outstand-
ing gallantry that brought the
Medal Of Honor to Is officers,
sailors and marines in the ma
val ARMY of Corea" that car
ried out the operation.
OF the IL million Americans
engaged in World War II, only
429 won the Medal of Honor.
Most of these men were killed
in action. World War I, with
4 million men in arms, produced
1913 winners. In the Civil War,
1927 Medals were conferred on
men of the Army and Navy.
The evolution of the Medal of
Honor stems back to 1882, when
Gen. George Washington Gre
ated the Purple Heart Badge Of
Military Merit to honor Ameri-
can soldiers for "singularly
meritorious action" and 'in-
stances of unusual gallantry."
In the order announcing the
Purple Heart to his men, Wash
ington said: "The road to glory
in a patriot army and a free
country is thus open to ALL"
Three Connecticut sergeants
were the first to receive the
Purple Heart for heroism. The
Purple Heart-since it's revival
in 1932-is the Oldest order for
valor in the world with the
exception Of the Order of st.
George of Russia, established in
1869. '1raa
But the Purple Heart was for
gotten as the young republic
fought her way up in the world.
The War of 1912 brought no
reward for heroistn. For the
men who stemmed the British
attack at New Orleans, who died
in the Everglades, who manned
the guns of Old IronSides, who
stood fast at Buena Vista, who
stormed the heights at Cha
pultepec. there was no medal.
A Certificate of Merit was
authorized during the Mexican
War, but it carried no decora-
ton. no visible symbol Of the
courage that had won it!
European Influence
In 1862, with the Union at
stake on scores of battlefields,
the United States, at long last,
decided that the heroism of
her fighting men should be
recognized and perpetuated.
European influence was q strong
factor in creating the Medal Of
Honor. Scores Of European Of
f1cers were drawn to America by
the Civil War. Their uniforms