The board rescinded 911 of the 2,625 Medals of Honor issued before 1916. To restore the prestige of the Medal of Honor, Congress established a board in 1916 to review all past awards. In one case, President Abraham Lincoln awarded the Medal of Honor to each member of a Massachusetts infantry regiment who volunteered to re-enlist in the Union Army. Because it was the only military medal in existence and the criteria for the award were rather broad, the Medal of Honor was not bestowed very selectively during its early history. More often than not, the Medal of Honor is awarded posthumously.Ĭongress established the Medal of Honor in 1861. It is bestowed for a deed of supreme valor. The Medal of Honor is the highest military award for bravery that can be conferred on a member of the American armed forces.
