History of the Congressional Medal of Honor

In the wars there’s soldiers, soldiers that fight for our country, sacrificing their life for others, some were wounded but still continued to fight, but most of them don’t survive. This soldiers received the Medal of Honor. The highest medal representing the soldiers action. Bravery, Heroism, and valor would have to show in order to be awarded. Most of the soldiers didn’t expected to receive it they just did there job.

The medal of honor was established July 1862, by the congress. It is the highest medal in the US Armed Forces. The medal represents the bravest and self-sacrifice of the soldier. This medal was issued during the Civil war. It was born when President Lincoln signed it, because back then it was the only military award for valor. When they do receive it, people respect it and some thing is their hero, and even the president salutes at soldier to be awarded the medal. It was to promote the navy, but by 1863 congress made it a permanent decoration. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and others were now able to receive the Medal of Honor based on there actions.

Almost 3400 men and one women have received the Medal of Honor. The only female to received it was Mary E. Walker in January, 1866 by William T. Sherman and George Thomas. In Manassas she was a nurse were there the Medal of Honor listed her work even though the Army didn’t hire female doctors. She was a volunteer surgeon in an Army hospital, were George Thomas was grateful to have her. She was sent as a prisoner at Richmond when then she was released during the battle for Atlanta. The medal of honor is giving if the soldier shows self-sacrifice for their country by risking their life and standing up to fear. She was awarded the Medal of Honor and she was recognized for her achievement on the field of battle, for being a strong, brave women.

Many Soldiers never though of the Medal of Honor being that important they didn’t even though of receiving them. They just did their job for their country not to receive the medal. Some soldiers did try hard to get the medal. The medal shows the bravest of the brave and when they get it people respect does soldiers because they are risking their life for their country, which it was some of the reasons that the soldiers wanted to get the medal. The soldiers that died for risking their life also get awarded, but is mostly the ones that didn’t expected to receive it they just did what it was right.

The Medal went from being a simple medal for valor. To become the highest medal and also an important medal that showed the bravest. Become the highest medal to be award. It was all about bravery, self-sacrifice and valor. The soldiers that receive it the most were soldiers that just did their job. The soldiers that received it were at the risk of there life above and beyond the call of duty.

Letter to Barfoot Van T.

Dear Second Lieutenant, Barfoot Van T.

My name is Jasmin Urbina. I am a sophmore at Farragut Career Academy High School, were there i joint in the JROTC program, and my rank now is corporal. You have been one of the soldiers to receive the Medal of Honor. I write you this letter to thank you for the sacrifice you did for the benefit of our country. 

Your sacrifice has helped the nation by saving many people's life. I really was impressed when i read that you took up a position directly in front of 3 tanks, just 15 yards away from you. It was brave of you saving 2 of your seriously wounded men. All this has made a change. Now thanks to you people feel safe and they thank you or it. 

Through your effort you have shown bravest, heroism, and valor. Everyday i walk through the halls of my school, seeing all does flags, pictures, and morals of important people and the wars reminds me of all the soldiers that died in the war. I also remember you because yo were one of those too, who did self-sacrifice.

I hope you have a god wealth and that you feel proud of yourself because i really appreciated and respect it a lot. Thank you for your effort and sacrifice. I really respect you and im proud and glad for what you did.

Sinceraly, 

Jasmin Urbina 

The Metal of Honor

The President of the United Statesin the name of The Congresstakes pleasure in presenting theMedal of Honorto
BARFOOT, VAN T.

N T. Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Carano, Italy, 23 May 1944. Entered service at: Carthage, Miss. Birth: Edinburg, Miss. G.O. No.: 79, 4 October 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 23 May 1944, near Carano, Italy. With his platoon heavily engaged during an assault against forces well entrenched on commanding ground, 2d Lt. Barfoot (then Tech. Sgt.) moved off alone upon the enemy left flank. He crawled to the proximity of 1 machinegun nest and made a direct hit on it with a hand grenade, killing 2 and wounding 3 Germans. He continued along the German defense line to another machinegun emplacement, and with his tommygun killed 2 and captured 3 soldiers. Members of another enemy machinegun crew then abandoned their position and gave themselves up to Sgt. Barfoot. Leaving the prisoners for his support squad to pick up, he proceeded to mop up positions in the immediate area, capturing more prisoners and bringing his total count to 17. Later that day, after he had reorganized his men and consolidated the newly captured ground, the enemy launched a fierce armored counterattack directly at his platoon positions. Securing a bazooka, Sgt. Barfoot took up an exposed position directly in front of 3 advancing Mark VI tanks. From a distance of 75 yards his first shot destroyed the track of the leading tank, effectively disabling it, while the other 2 changed direction toward the flank. As the crew of the disabled tank dismounted, Sgt. Barfoot killed 3 of them with his tommygun. He continued onward into enemy terrain and destroyed a recently abandoned German fieldpiece with a demolition charge placed in the breech. While returning to his platoon position, Sgt. Barfoot, though greatly fatigued by his Herculean efforts, assisted 2 of his seriously wounded men 1,700 yards to a position of safety. Sgt. Barfoot's extraordinary heroism, demonstration of magnificent valor, and aggressive determination in the face of pointblank fire are a perpetual inspiration to his fellow soldiers.