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The Medal of Honor is the highest military
decoration awarded by the United States government. It is
bestowed on a member of the United States armed forces who
distinguishes himself "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". Because of the nature of its criteria, the medal is
often awarded posthumously.
Members of all branches of the U.S. military are eligible to
receive the medal, and each service has a unique design with the
exception of the Marine Corps and Coast Guard, which both use
the Navy's medal. The Medal of Honor is often presented
personally to the recipient or, in the case of posthumous
awards, to next of kin, by the President of the United States.
Due to its high status, the medal has special protection under
U.S. law.
The Medal of Honor is one of two military neck order awards
issued by the United States Armed Forces, but is the sole neck
order awarded to its members. The other is the Commander's
Degree of the Legion of Merit and is only authorized for issue
to foreign dignitaries equivalent to a US military chief of
staff. While American service members are eligible for the
Legion of Merit, they are awarded the lowest degree,
"Legionnaire", which is a standard suspended medal.
The medal is frequently, albeit incorrectly, called the
Congressional Medal of Honor, stemming from its award by the
Department of Defense "in the name of Congress."
Iraq War
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