Medal of Honor Day

Medal of Honor Day is a United States federal observance that is celebrated every year on March 25. It was created to honor the "heroism and sacrifice of Medal of Honor recipients for the United States."[1] The holiday has been celebrated since 1991, when George H. W. Bush signed Public Law 101-564 on November 15, 1990, which was passed by the 101st United States Congress in November 1990, and created it.[2] The holiday was chosen to be celebrated on March 25 to honor the 23 men who participated in the Great Locomotive Chase and received Medals of Honor for it, particularly William Bensinger, Robert Buffum, Elihu H. Mason, Jacob Parrott, William Pittenger, and William H. H. Reddick, who received the first six Medals of Honor on March 25, 1863.[3][4] The law reads (in part):[5][6]

Whereas the Medal of Honor is the highest distinction that can be awarded by the president, in the name of the congress, to members of the armed forces who have distinguished themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty ... Whereas public awareness of the importance of the Medal of Honor has declined in recent years; and Whereas the designation of National Medal of Honor Day will focus the efforts of national, State, and local organizations striving to foster public appreciation and recognition of Medal of Honor recipients."

Medal of Honor Day
Army, Navy, and Air Force versions of the Medal of Honor
Observed byUnited States
TypeNational
DateMarch 25
FrequencyAnnual

References
  1. States, United. United States Statutes at Large, V. 121, 2007, 110th Congress, First Session, Pts. 1-2. Government Printing Office.
  2. George, Bush (1991-01-01). Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George Bush, 1990. Best Books on. ISBN 9781623767556.
  3. "The Army Medal of Honor: The First Fifty-five Years". National Archives. 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
  4. "The Medal ... The Men ... The Museum". The Campaign for the National Museum of the United States Army. 2015-03-13. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
  5. "Medal of Honor recipients honored during Oval Office ceremony commemorating National Medal of Honor Day - VAntage Point". VAntage Point. 2017-03-27. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
  6. Congress, U. S. (November 2010). Congressional Record, V. 153, PT. 3, February 5, 2007 to February 16, 2007. Government Printing Office. ISBN 9780160869754.

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