"Medal of Honor: A Long and Epic History" Topic

"The United States Congress established the Medal of Honor during the early months of the American Civil War. The award's first recipients were a group of six Union Army soldiers who earned it for carrying out a daring mission to sabotage a strategic Confederate rail line deep in enemy territory.

As the story goes, the so-called "Great Locomotive Chase" began on April 12, 1862, when a detachment of Union Army soldiers disguised in plain clothes boarded a passenger locomotive in Marietta, Georgia. Accompanied by a pair of civilian spies, including their leader, James Andrews, the men settled themselves at the rear of the train as it moved out of the station and headed north toward Tennessee…"

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Armand

Interesting but a gripe against the author Mike Fratus -- one does not earn or win a medal for bravery. One is awarded such a medal for one's actions and thus becomes a recipient of such a medal.

Jim (US Army, retired)

I was surprised to learn that full-size replicas of this medal (to be sold for display, to militaria collectors, et al.) are not permitted within the US. I don't think they can be made or sold. That's a very special privilege, there's not many other medals of the world in that class. I take it all those you see in movies (e.g., The Manchurian Candidate) are special-made props and not replicas mass produced.

Thanks

Armand

Thank you Colonel. It is not like earning a merit badge, nor is it a game of chance like the lottery.. There is no standard measurement for bravery.