§ 578.9 - Medal of Honor.

(a) Criteria. The Medal of Honor (10 U.S.C. 3741) was established by Joint Resolution of Congress, July 12, 1962 (amended by Act of July 9, 1918 and Act of July 25, 1963) is awarded by the President in the name of Congress to a person who, while a member of the Army, distinguished himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The deed performed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his comrades and must have involved risk of life. Incontestable proof of the performance of the service will be exacted and each recommendation for the award of this decoration will be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit. Eligibility is limited to members of the Army of the United States in active Federal military service.

(b) Description. A gold-finished bronze star, one point down, 19/16 inches in diameter with rays terminating in trefoils, surrounded by a laurel wreath in green enamel, suspended by two links from a bar bearing the inscription “Valor” and surmounted by an eagle grasping laurel leaves in one claw and arrows in the other. In the center of the star is the head of Minerva surrounded by the inscription “United States of America.” Each ray of the star bears an oak leaf in green enamel. On the reverse of the bar are stamped the words “The Congress To.” The medal is suspended by a hook to a ring fastened behind the eagle. The hook is attached to a light-blue moired silk neckband, 13/16 inches in width and 213/4 inches in length, behind a square pad in the center made of the ribbon with the corners turned in. On the ribbon bar are 13 white stars arranged in the form of a triple chevron, consisting of two chevrons of 5 stars and one chevron of 3 stars. A hexagonal rosette of light-blue ribbon 1/2 inch circumscribing diameter, with a fan-shaped ribbon insert showing white stars, is included for wear on civilian clothing.

(c) Medal of Honor Roll. The Medal of Honor Roll was established by Act of Congress, April 27, 1916, as amended by 38 U.S.C. 1562. It provides that each Medal of Honor awardee may have his or her name entered on the Medal of Honor Roll. Each person whose name is placed on the Medal of Honor Roll is certified to the Veterans Administration as being entitled to receive a special pension of $1000 per month for life, if the person desires. Payment will be made by the Veterans Administration beginning as of the date of application thereof (38 U.S.C. 1562). The payment of this special pension is in addition to, and does not deprive the pensioner of any other pension, benefit, right, or privilege to which he or she is or may thereafter be entitled. The awardee will submit a DD Form 1369 (Application for Enrollment on the Medal of Honor Roll and for the Pension Authorized by the Act of Congress) to have his or her name placed on the Medal of Honor Roll and to receive the special pension. The application will bear the full personal signature of the awardee, or in cases where the awardee cannot sign due to disability or incapacity, the signature of the awardee's legally designated representative, and be forwarded to Commander, USA HRC (see § 578.3(c)). Applicant will receive a DD Form 1370A (Certificate of Enrollment on the Medal of Honor Roll).

(d) Additional benefits. (1) Supplemental uniform allowance. Enlisted recipients of the Medal of Honor are entitled to a supplemental uniform allowance. (See AR 700-84.)

(2) Air transportation for Medal of Honor awardees. (See DOD Regulation 4515.13-R.)

(3) Commissary privileges for Medal of Honor recipients and their eligible family members. (See AR 600-8-14.)

(4) Identification cards for Medal of Honor recipients and their eligible family members. (See AR 600-8-14.)

(5) Admission to U.S. Service Academies. Children of Medal of Honor awardees, otherwise qualified, are not subject to quota requirements for admission to any of the U.S. Service Academies. (See U.S. Service Academies annual catalogs.)

(6) Exchange privileges for Medal of Honor recipients and their eligible family members. (See AR 600-8-14.)

(7) Burial honors for Medal of Honor recipients are identical to those who become deceased while on active duty. (See AR 600-8-1 and AR 600-25.)