page_title: FBI Honorary Medals
section_title: The FBI Medal of Valor
hierarchical_section_title: FBI Honorary Medals / The FBI Medal of Valor
caption_attribution_description: Русский: Ведомственная медаль ФБР "За отвагу". Музей "Newseum", Вашингтон, США. English: The FBI Medal of Valor. Presented to James A. McGee - special agent of Federal Bureau of Investigation United States Department of Justice. In recognition of his courageous actions on April 19, 1993, during the crisis at the Branch Davidian Compound near Waco Texas. Newseum, Washington D.C., USA
context_page_description: The United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation instituted an Honorary Medals Program in 1989 as a way of recognizing "exceptional acts" by FBI employees and other law enforcement personnel working with the FBI. These medals were created to supplement the then-existing reward system within the Bureau. There are four medals in the program intended for personnel: the FBI Star, the FBI Medal for Meritorious Achievement, the FBI Shield of Bravery, and the FBI Medal of Valor. One additional medal, the FBI Memorial Star, is for a surviving relative when a death has occurred in the line of duty. These medals are considered to be among the highest honors granted by the FBI, and fewer than 400 had been awarded as of March 2009.
context_section_description: "The FBI Medal of Valor is presented in recognition of an exceptional act of heroism or voluntary risk of personal safety and life, and this act must have occurred in the direct line of duty or within the scope of FBI employment and in the face of criminal adversaries." Special Agent Robert Merta was grazed by a bullet when he tackled a fugitive prison escapee who had drawn his gun on Merta and three other agents when they tried to arrest him. Merta received the Medal of Valor for risking his life to protect his fellow agents. Special Agent Edmundo Mireles earned the Medal by ending the Miami Shootout April 11, 1986. Despite being severely wounded by rifle fire, Mireles was able to engage the suspects, killing them.
caption: The FBI Medal of Valor.
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