Medal of Honor

American  

noun

1. the highest U.S. military decoration, awarded by Congress to a member of the armed forces for gallantry and bravery in combat, at the risk of life and above and beyond the call of duty.

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Medal of Honor British  

noun

1. the highest US military decoration, awarded by Congress for conspicuous bravery in action: instituted in 1861 (Navy), 1862 (Army)

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Medal of Honor Cultural  

1. The highest military decoration in the United States armed services, often called the Congressional Medal of Honor. It recognizes valor and bravery in action “above and beyond the call of duty.” There have been some 3,400 recipients of the medal, which was established by an act of Congress in 1862.

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Example Sentences

The latter received a Congressional Medal of Honor and the former a Legion of Merit award for Extraordinary Heroism.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

O’Hare International Airport in Chicago was named for Edward Henry “Butch” O’Hare, the first Navy pilot to win the Medal of Honor, who died in combat in 1943.

From Slate • Dec. 20, 2025

After he was freed, Dick O’Kane became one of the seven World War II submariners awarded the Medal of Honor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

He received numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

From Salon • Aug. 9, 2025

Franklin D. Roosevelt was hanging the Congressional Medal of Honor around my neck, saying, “Without regard for her personal safety, she entered the very stronghold of the foe.”

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson