CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS For the Medal of Honor
TITLE 32--NATIONAL DEFENSE
CHAPTER V--DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
PART 578--DECORATIONS, MEDALS, RIBBONS, AND SIMILAR DEVICES

32CFR578.4 Medal of Honor Regulations:

Sec. 578.4 Medal of Honor.

(a) Criteria. The Medal of Honor, established by Joint Resolution of Congress, 12 July 1862 (amended by Act of 9 July 1918
      and Act of 25 July 1963) is awarded in the name of Congress to a person who, while a member of the Army, distinguished
      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; 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 (figure 1). 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 theservice 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, 1-9/16 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 graspinglaurel 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, 1-3/16 inches in width and 21-3/4 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 circumscribingdiameter, 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, 38 U.S.C. 560.
     It provides that each Medal of Honor awardee may have his name entered on the Medal of Honor Roll. Each person whose name
     is placed on the Roll is certified to the Veterans' Administration as being entitled to receive a special pension of $100 per
     month for life, payable monthly by that agency. Thepayment 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 is or may thereafter be entitled. A written application
     must be made by the awardee to have his name placed on the Medal of Honor Roll and to receive the special pension. For Army
     personnel, proper blanks and instructions shall be furnished without charge upon request to The Adjutant General, Department
     of the Army, Washington, DC 20314, Attention: AGPB-AC. The application must bear the full personal signature of the applicant.

(d) Additional benefits.
     (1) Air transportation: See AR 96-20 (Army Regulations pertaining to Air Transportation).
     (2) Sons of winners of the Medal of Honor, otherwise qualified for admission to the United States Military Academy,
           will not be subject to quota requirements (see annual catalog, United States Military Academy).

(Sec. 3741, 70A Stat. 215; 10 U.S.C. 3741)
[21 FR 7672, Oct. 6, 1956, as amended at 29 FR 527, Jan. 22, 1964; 35 FR
9279, June 13, 1970]

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