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Background Information
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History of the Medal of Honor
On December 21, 1861, the United States Congress passed a bill to
“promote the efficiency of the Navy” by authorizing production and distribution of
“medals of honor.” Two hundred medals were produced, to be “bestowed upon such petty officers,
landsmen and marines as shall distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action and other
seamanlike qualities during the present war.” A year later, Congress approved a similar a
ward for the Army. More than a century later, the Air Force Medal of Honor was created.
Originally given only to enlisted soldiers, the honor was eventually extended to officers
and civilians. Because it is presented by the president on behalf of the Congress,
the award is often called Congressional Medal of Honor. It is the highest military
honor given in the United States.
Ohio's Heroes
Nearly 3,500 medals have been awarded since 1863, when the first Medals of Honor were presented on March 25 to six members of Andrews’ Raiders, a group of twenty-three volunteers from Ohio who followed James J. Andrews, a Virginian and Union spy, on a daring mission to disrupt transportation and communication lines between Atlanta and Chattanooga by burning bridges. Only partly successful, the Raiders were all captured by Confederate troops. Andrews and seven others were hanged, and fourteen were sent to prison camps. The six men who received the first medals were exchanged for Southern prisoners held in the North. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton heard the story from the men shortly after their release from prison, and presented the medals, which had recently been authorized by Congress, to Jacob Parrott, William Bensinger, Robert Buffum, Elihu Mason, William Pittinger, and William H. Reddick.
Including the first six, 319 recipients of the Medal of Honor have some connection to Ohio. Twenty-three Ohio recipients served in the Navy, one in the Air Force, 3 in the Army Air Corps, 17 in the Marine Corps, the remaining 275 served in the Army.
The most recent recipient from Ohio was Airman First Class William Pitsenbarger,
who in 1966 near Cam My in the Republic of Vietnam, assisted in the care and
evacuation of wounded soldiers while placing himself at great risk.
When escape helicopters were forced to leave the scene, Pitsenbarger
stayed on the ground, providing medical treatment and taking up arms with infantrymen.
Pitsenbarger was fatally wounded on that day. His award, issued in December 2000, was
presented posthumously to his family.
The criteria for the award changed over the years since the Civil War,
but the common theme has been extraordinary courage demonstrated through
actions taken despite great danger and against all odds. Many of the men who
received the Medal of Honor made the ultimate sacrifice of their own lives
to protect and defend not only their fellow soldiers, but also the Americans
ideals of freedom and justice for all.
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Ohio Historical Society: 1982 Velma Ave. Columbus, OH 43211. URL:http://www.ohiohistory.org/moh/index.html Last updated:July 26, 2005 © 2001 All Rights Reserved. |