Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor, byname Congressional Medal Of Honor, the foremost U.S. military decoration, instituted by Congress in 1861 for the navy and in 1862 for the army, at first awarded only to enlisted men, with officers being permitted to receive the award later. It is given for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty.” The army medal has always been awarded solely for valour in combat, but the navy medal could be, and was, awarded for noncombat purposes such as lifesaving, although since 1942 it has been awarded only for combat.