There are many medals and awards, which are available to members of the military, worldwide. There are personal decorations, distinguished service medals, metals for heroism, achievement medals and campaign medals... just to name a few.

The highest U.S. military decoration is the Medal of Honor. It can be compared to the British Victoria Cross and the French Legion of Honor. The Medal of Honor is usually awarded posthumously, because of what it stands for.

You can be sure that the Medal of Honor is displayed proudly in the homes of those who have earned it. The award is a valuable treasure that should be protected by a high-quality wooden display case, of some sort, to preserve its quality.

It is awarded to a military member who has 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...'

All branches of the military are eligible to receive this medal. Each branch has its own specific design. The only exception to this is the Coast Guard and the Marines... they use the Navy's design.

The Medal of Honor is a neck order award. This simply means that it is to be worn around the neck, instead of on the chest as with most military decorations. Neck orders are typically considered the highest class of military decoration.

The Metal of Honor was established in 1862 and was first awarded during the American Civil War, to Private Jacob Parrott, for his participation in the Andrews Raid. Since then almost 3500 and been awarded, over 600 of them, posthumously.

To date only one woman has received a medal of honor. This occurred in 1917, again a result of Civil War service.

There are several benefits and privileges associated with receiving the Medal of Honor. A few of which include the following:

• If the recipient is still enlisted, after receiving the medal, they are entitled to a uniform allowance.
• Each recipient is entitled to special benefits, in regard to air transportation and travel.
• Each recipient will have his name included on the Medal of Honor Roll and is entitled to a monthly pension, which is adjusted each year to match the cost of living.
• The children, of a recipient, are eligible for admission into U.S. military academies, regardless of the current quotas imposed.
• All recipients automatically receive a 10% increase in the amount of retirement pay they will receive.
• Recipients and their eligible dependents receive special identification cards and commissary privileges.

Several men have been awarded the Medal of Honor, twice in a lifetime, for two separate occurrences. Five of these men received to individual awards, one Navy in one Army, for the same occurrence.

Again, the Medal of Honor is not something you want to throw on a shelf and forget about. It is something that should be properly and proudly displayed, or everyone to see. Purchasing a beautifully designed wooden display case is a perfect alternative. They are available in several designs, sizes and price levels.

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