This tour contains three types of stops: HONOR stops mark the gravesites of specific individuals. REMEMBER stops commemorate events, ideas, or groups of people. EXPLORE stops invite you to discover what this history means to you.
Introduction
The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the armed services of the United States. It is awarded to service members who distinguish themselves “conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of [their] life above and beyond the call of duty.” More than 400 Medal of Honor recipients are laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, from conflicts ranging from the Civil War to current operations.On December 9, 1861, Iowa Senator James W. Grimes introduced a bill to “promote the efficiency of the Navy” by producing and distributing “medals of honor… which shall be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen and marines as shall distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action and other seaman-like qualities.” President Abraham Lincoln signed the bill on December 21, 1861, creating the Navy’s Medal of Honor.Two months later, on February 17, 1862, Massachusetts Senator Henry Wilson introduced a bill “for the presentation of ‘medals of honor’ to enlisted men of the army and volunteer forces who have or who may distinguish themselves in battle.” On July 12, 1862, the Army Medal of Honor was established. In 1863, Congress made Army officers eligible for the Medal of Honor. Naval officers were not eligible until 1915. On August 10, 1956, Congress authorized the United States Air Force (established as a separate service branch in 1947) to create its own Medal of Honor.
1
First Lieutenant Vernon Baker
Only living Black World War II veteran to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Awarded Medal of Honor for repeated heroic actions during an attack on Castle Aghinolfi in Italy.
Explore: Who is Awarded the Medal of Honor?
The Medal of Honor has not always held the prestige that it holds today, and it is not the oldest medal of valor. General George Washington created the first American military medal of valor, the Badge of Military Merit, during the Revolutionary War. This medal was one of the first awards for common soldiers and Washington awarded the medal to three sergeants in the Continental Army. The medal then disappeared from use for 150 years, seemingly forgotten.When the Medal of Honor was created during the Civil War, it was the only military medal of valor in use and, as a result, was distributed widely. It remained the only military medal for exemplary service until World War I, when the U.S. military introduced the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal and the Silver Star. The Purple Heart was created in 1932, when U.S. Army Chief of Staff Douglas MacArthur revived, and renamed, the former Badge of Military Merit. Reflecting the Medal of Honor’s changing significance, Congress has updated the award criteria throughout its history. At times, this has resulted in the military rescinding Medals of Honor; more often, it results in previously overlooked individuals finally getting the recognition they deserve. In 1916, Congress directed the Army to review all Medals of Honor awarded since the Civil War to determine if any medals were wrongly awarded – mainly due to clerical error or failing to meet the “standard established by the authorities at the time of the award.” After reviewing all 2,625 medals, the board rescinded 911, including the only medal ever awarded to a woman. In 1977, Congress restored Mary Edwards Walker’s medal, and she remains the only female Medal of Honor recipient.
2
Specialist Ross McGinnis
Posthumously awarded Medal of Honor after covering a grenade that was thrown into his vehicle while serving in Iraq.
3
Staff Sergeant Ronald Shurer
Awarded Medal of Honor for continually braving enemy fire and risking his own life to treat wounded soldiers during a six-hour battle in the mountains of Afghanistan.
4
Rear Admiral Samuel G. Fuqua
Awarded one of the first Medals of Honor for action during World War II. Directed firefighting and rescue efforts aboard USS Arizona after it was struck during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
5
Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone
Awarded Medal of Honor for heroic actions during Battle of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Despite being offered the opportunity to remain home after his award, he chose to return to the frontlines and was killed during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Explore: Headstone Symbols
Medal of Honor recipients’ headstones are often engraved with a Medal of Honor symbol. This is the only symbol allowed on government-provided headstones, aside from religious emblems and the Southern Cross for Confederate graves. The symbols are based on the Medal of Honor’s medal design. As each branch has a unique medal, some with multiple redesigns, you’ll notice a few different symbols on Medal of Honor recipients’ headstones.
6
Rear Admiral Richmond Hobson
Awarded Medal of Honor for his attempt to block Spanish ships in Santiago Harbor, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. Served as a Congressman from 1907-1915.
7
Specialist Lawrence Joel
First African American medic awarded Medal of Honor. Administered aid while under heavy fire in Vietnam, even after he was wounded.
8
First Lieutenant Audie Murphy
One of the most decorated soldiers of World War II. Awarded Medal of Honor for singlehandedly holding off a German advance. Acted in more than 40 films.
9
Captain Gerald Orren Young
First Air Force helicopter pilot awarded the Medal of Honor. Attempted a rescue under heavy fire in Vietnam and led North Vietnamese soldiers away from other survivors after his helicopter was shot down.
10
General James Harold "Jimmy" Doolittle
Awarded Medal of Honor for leading the "Doolittle Raid," a long-range air raid on the Japanese mainland. A pioneer of early aviation, he set multiple speed records and developed instrument flying techniques.
11
Lieutenant Colonel Matt Urban
One of the most decorated soldiers of World War II. Awarded Medal of Honor for multiple heroic actions while serving in France, despite being wounded multiple times.
12
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
This walking tour has introduced you to service members whose names will forever be linked to their heroic actions. Here at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, however, the highest military honors have been bestowed on service members whose names and actions are unknown.
Explore: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Before burial, all four Unknown Soldiers lay in state in the U.S. Capitol rotunda prior to being escorted to Arlington National Cemetery in a large military procession. Each received a state funeral, at which the president of the United States presented the Medal of Honor—in recognition of the fact that the Unknowns could have performed actions that merited this award. You can see these Medals of Honor, along with other honors bestowed upon the Unknown Soldiers, in the Memorial Amphitheater Display Room (at the top of the amphitheater stairs). After World War I, the United States also awarded the Medal of Honor to unknown soldiers from Belgium, France, Great Britain, Italy and Romania. They are the only Medal of Honor recipients from foreign militaries. To protect the Tomb and to honor the service of the Unknown Soldiers, the Tomb is guarded 24/7 by soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard.” The Tomb Guard marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns and faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, and then takes 21 steps down the mat. Next, the Guard executes a sharp "shoulder-arms" movement to place his/her weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors, signifying that he or she stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. The number 21 symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed: the 21-gun salute.
Conclusion
You've reached the end of the Medal of Honor Tour - Central. We hope you enjoyed your time exploring the cemetery and learning about the lives of those who received the Medal of Honor. You can explore additional content and resources on the Arlington National Cemetery Education Program website, or find more tours through Arlington National Cemetery's STQRY.
