The nation’s highest military award for valor is the Medal of Honor presented by the president in Congress’ name. By law, only U.S. Service members who distinguish themselves “through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty” can receive the medal of honor.
A brief history on how the Medal of Honor was made to honor distinguished servicemen.
On February 13, 1861, the first military action to earn a Medal of Honor is performed by Bernard J. D. Irwin, who voluntarily led troops to rescue 60 soldiers in Apache Pass, Arizona. However, the Medal of Honor had yet to be proposed. And Irwin wouldn’t actually be presented with his Medal
until January 24, 1894 – over 30 years after the deed itself.
December 9, 1861 Iowa Senator James W. Grimes introduces legislation in Congress to “promote the efficiency of the Navy” through the creation of the “Medal of Honor” medals that will be presented to enlistee seamen and marines who “distinguish and serves by gallantry in action and other seamanlike qualities “during the American Civil War”
December 12, 1861 President Abraham Lincoln signs legislation creating the Navy’s Medal of Honor. This was the start of it all and so many true American heroes have served over the years.
We at Curtis A Smith VFW Post 1033 and Auxiliary are proud to honor all of the American Medal of Honor recipients.
There have been 19 double Medal of Honor recipients. The Medal of Honor is the only U.S. Military award worn around the neck as opposed to being pinned on the uniform. Among other privileges. Medal of Honor recipients receive invitations to attend presidential inaugurations and accompanying festivities.
Of the more than 25 million men and women who have served and sacrificed in our nation’s wars, fewer than 3,600 have received the Medal of Honor. Of those, 50 have officially attributed to the Commonwealth of Virginia by the Department of Defense. We, in the Alleghany Highlands, are proud to claim three:
1st LT Jimmie Waters Monteith, Jr (1941-1944) was a United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for this heroic actions in World War II at the D-Day landing in Normandy, France on June 6, 1944.
1st LT Gary Lee Miller (1967-1969) United States Army, received his Medal of Honor posthumously for conspicuous intrepidity and gallantry in action at the risk of his life above the call of duty. Miller was Infantry, Company A . On October 27, 2020, Virginia Tech added 1st LT Gary Lee Miller to the War Memorial Court. Miller died of wounds he received after smothering an enemy grenade to save the men he was leading in South Vietnam on February 6, 1969. 1st LT Miller can be found on Panel 32W, Line 45 of the Wall that Heals.
CPL Michael Fleming Folland, United States Army, received his Medal of Honor posthumously for conspicuous intrepidity and gallantry in action at the risk of his life above the call of duty. Folland distinguished himself while serving as an ammunitions bearer with the weapons platoon of
Company D during a reconnaissance patrol mission. He died on July 3 1969. CPL Folland can be found on Panel 21W, Line 51 on the Wall that Heals.
More information about these Medal of Honor recipients will be provided as the Wall that Heals draws closer. The Wall that Heals will be in Covington October 3-6. 2024. The Wall of Valor at he local post office will honor these men as well as other heroes from this area throughout 2024.
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