In 1990, the United States Congress designated March 25th of each year as National Medal of Honor Day. Over the decades, 3,525 Medals of Honor have been awarded to 3,506 individuals.
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that may be awarded by the United States government. It is presented by the President of the United States, in the name of Congress, and is conferred only upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty:
There are three versions of the Medal of Honor; one for the Army, one for the Navy and one for the Air Force, with personnel of the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard receiving the Navy version.
Here is the full list of the 331 Ohio recipients of the Medal of Honor, including which county, Branch of Service and photo (where available). MAPS Air Museum has an extensive collection of displays honoring those Ohioans that received the Medal of Honor, fourteen.
(*Medal of Honor earned on display; **A Display Medal of Honor utilized)
Come in to see the details of the above personnel’s displays at MAPS!
MAPS Air Museum proudly showcases many medals in both individual displays and our primary display case that is highlighted with: United States Air Force Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross, Navy Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Air Medal.
Created on December 21, 1861 by Congress and approved by Abraham Lincoln, the Medal of Honor is the United States of America’s highest military honor.
On March 25, 1863, Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton presented the first Medals of Honor (Army) to six members of “Andrews Raiders” for their volunteering and participation during an American Civil War raid in April of 1862. These 6 were prisoners that were exchanged back to the North, the remaining received their Medal of Honor at a later date or posthumously due to being tried and hanged as spies. One of the Andrews Raiders has a display at MAPS Air Museum.
James J. Andrew (photo below) and William H. Campbell were not eligible for the Medal of Honor due to being civilians. Led by James Andrew on the raid, both he and Campbell were 2 of those hung as spies by the South.
In the photo below is Ohioan, Army Pvt Jacob Wilson Parrott (later to 1st LT), who was the first recipient of the (Army version) of the Medal of Honor. There has been 331 Ohio recipients of the Medal of Honor.
Jacob Parrott was one of six volunteers from Ohio who were awarded the Medal of Honor for the ill-fated Andrews Raid of 1862, better know as the Great Locomotive Chase, which was made into a movie by Walt Disney, The Great Locomotive Chase.