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Chartered by Congress in 1958, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s membership is comprised of those who wear the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military award for valor. As individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, the Medal of Honor Recipients are committed to serving our country in peace as they did in war by championing the values of Patriotism, Citizenship, Courage, Integrity, Sacrifice and Commitment. That mission has become increasingly important as the number of living Medal of Honor Recipients continues to decrease.
Today, the Society is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit devoted to preserving and sharing the values of the Medal of Honor Recipients through outreach, education and research. Its mission is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Medal of Honor, inspiring America to live the values the Medal represents and supporting Recipients of the Medal as they connect with communities across America. By serving, remembering, supporting and honoring the sacrifice of the Recipients and by sharing the stories and values inherent in them, we understand the responsibility and potential within each one of us to impact the world.
As the number of living Medal of Honor Recipients continues to decrease, the Society’s mission has become increasingly important, and the Recipients and the staff members who support them are committed to continuing the work. Each year, the Society holds an annual convention that provides opportunities for all living Medal of Honor Recipients and their families to reconnect while remembering those Recipients who have passed the previous year. In 2025, Chattanooga will serve as the Host City for this annual convention where the Society will conduct its membership meetings and engage the local community in a variety of events and activities across the Tennessee Valley.
Launched by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society in 2013, The Medal of Honor Character Development Program teaches Patriotism, Citizenship. Courage, Integrity, Sacrifice and Commitment to the next generation of students through educationally grounded lessons developed by teachers for teachers. These six values personify the Medal of Honor and exemplify the actions for which it has been awarded.
Both the elementary and secondary resources of the Character Development Program teach students to recognize and exemplify these values, making the materials useful as a classroom management system or a tool to create a positive and healthy school culture. The lessons feature extraordinary military and civilian stories, providing students examples to live by.
The entire Medal of Honor Character Development Program is available at no cost to educators. The curriculum includes individual and group activities, worksheets and extended activity suggestions, and resources such as Medal of Honor citations, live and archived webinars, and an extensive living history collection.
The Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center proudly supports the Congressional Medal of Honor Society through its efforts to educate and inspire all generations to be the best versions of themselves. Since opening its doors in early 2020, the Heritage Center has leveraged its immersive galleries in unique ways that bring history to life. Sharing the powerful stories of Medal of Honor Recipients through a variety of educational programming, the Heritage Center helps learners of all ages recognize how they, too, can embody the character values associated with the Medal as they navigate extreme challenges and uncertainties in their everyday lives.
The Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center proudly supports the Congressional Medal of Honor Society through its efforts to educate and inspire all generations to be the best versions of themselves. Since opening its doors in early 2020, the Heritage Center has leveraged its immersive galleries in unique ways that bring history to life. Sharing the powerful stories of Medal of Honor Recipients through a variety of educational programming, the Heritage Center helps learners of all ages recognize how they, too, can embody the character values associated with the Medal as they navigate extreme challenges and uncertainties in their everyday lives.
While the Medal of Honor heritage starts in Chattanooga, its story is one that resonates nationwide. Every recipient has a narrative that is relevant to what we do – whether it be on a battlefield, board room or everyday life. Each of these amazing, inspiring and, all too often, heart-breaking stories define the meaning of valor and the virtue of putting service over self. These stories serve as a testament for how ordinary people can rise up and meet the most daunting challenges. They also provide the ideal role models to teach future generations about six character traits that embody their gallantry – Patriotism, Citizenship, Courage, Integrity, Sacrifice and Commitment.
Officially opened on February 22, 2020, the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center will serve as a lasting tribute to the recipients of the first Medals of Honor and all recipients since. By doing so, it will become a place that reverently underscores both the heritage of the Medal of Honor and the sacrifices made by various recipients from the Civil War to the Global War on Terror.