What is the Medal of Honor?
Q: What is the Medal of Honor?
A: The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. It is awarded for distinguished service at the risk of one's own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States.
Q: Who was the first recipient of this award?
A: The first recipient was Private Jacob Parrott during the American Civil War for his role in the Great Locomotive Chase.
Q: Who was the first African American recipient?
A: William Harvey Carney was the first African American recipient, who refused to let an American flag touch ground despite being shot multiple times.
Q: Is there a female Medal of Honor recipient?
A: Yes, Mary Edwards Walker, a Civil War surgeon, is currently recognized as a female Medal of Honor recipient. Her medal was rescinded in 1917 but restored by President Jimmy Carter in 1977.
Q: Are U.S citizens required to receive this medal?
A: No, U.S citizenship is not required to receive this medal; however it can only be awarded to members of U.S armed forces with some exceptions such as Charles Lindbergh who received his Medal while serving as a reserve member in U.S Army Air Corps and Peter C Lemon who received it during Vietnam War from Canada .
Q: How many Canadians have been awarded with this medal since 1900?
A: Only four Canadians have been awarded with this medal since 1900 and most were given for actions taken during American Civil War .
