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Design of the Medal of Honor |
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The Navy, Army, and Air Force Medals of Honor, while similar, differ in design.
Most medals are star shaped and hang from a short ribbon. Some medals, however,
particularly the most recently-awarded ones, are attached to longer ribbons so that
the medal can be draped around the neck. The Medal of Honor is the only military
decoration to be worn around the neck rather than pinned to a uniform. |
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Navy Medal of Honor |
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The Philadelphia Mint created the first Medal of Honor for the Navy in 1862. William
Wilson and Sons of Philadelphia designed the medal, which features an inverted five-pointed
star. On each point is a cluster of laurel leaves, symbols of victory. Inside each
point are clusters of oak leaves represent strength. In the center of the star,
surrounded by a ring of 34 stars, one for each existing state of the Union, is "Minerva
Repulsing Discord." Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and war, holds in one hand
a bundle of rods and an axe blade, signifying authority, and the shield of the United
States in the other hand. Next to her is a figure holding snakes in his hands, representing
discord. On the reverse side of the star, the words "Personal Valor" are inscribed,
as is the name of the recipient. An anchor wrapped in rope, symbols of the Navy,
connects the star to the red, white, and blue ribbon. |
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The Navy medal, which is also presented to members of the Marine Corps and Coast
Guard, changed little over the years. In 1913, however, the rope was removed from
the anchor, and the red, white, and blue ribbon was changed to a lighter blue color
with thirteen embroidered stars, a style introduced by the Army. |
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In 1919, the Navy introduced a second type of medal, to be awarded to heroes in
non-combat situations. Dubbed the Tiffany Cross, it was a medal in the shape of
a Maltese cross designed by Tiffany and Company. It features an eagle in the center
surrounded by a six-sided border, above which appear the words "United States Navy,
1917-1918." Inside each arm of the cross is an anchor. The cross hangs from a blue
ribbon suspended from a bar bearing the word "Valour," spelled in the British manner.
On the reverse is "Awarded To" and the recipient's name. The medal was discontinued
in 1942. |
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Army Medal of Honor |
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Differences between the original 1862 Army and Navy versions of the Medal of Honor
are minimal. Instead of an anchor, the star is attached to its red, white, and blue
ribbon by an eagle holding a saber and perched atop a crossed cannon, all symbols
of the Army. On the back of the medal, the inscription reads "The Congress To" instead
of "Personal Valor." |
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In 1904, however, the Army introduced a new look for its medal. Called the Gillespie
Medal after the general who instigated the change, the shape of the medal remained
the same. Instead of stars, however, the circular insignia was surrounded with the
words "United States of America." The figure of discord no longer appears. Instead,
a helmeted Minerva is shown in profile. The oak clusters inside the points of the
star are enameled in green. Whereas the Navy medal has laurel leaves on the ends
of the points, the new Army design features a laurel wreath, also enameled in green,
that connects the points of the star. Replacing the cannon as the eagle's perch
is a bar bearing the word "Valor." The eagle holds arrows rather than a saber. Once
red, white, and blue, the ribbon is light blue with thirteen embroidered stars.
On the reverse of the "Valor" bar are the words " The Congress To," leaving the
back of the star open to engrave information about the recipient. |
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Air Force Medal |
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Designed in 1965, the Air Force medal is almost twice as large as the Army and Navy
versions. Its design is similar to the 1904 Army medal, except the Statue of Liberty
replaces Minerva and the Air Force coat of arms replaces the Army eagle. |
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Source for information: Home of Heroes: http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/history/history_images.html |
