03/25/2026
Today is National Medal of Honor Day.
There are acts of courage that words struggle to contain. The men and women who have received the Medal of Honor performed those acts. They made decisions in the most extreme circumstances imaginable, put the lives of others ahead of their own, and in many cases paid the ultimate price for it.
Since the Civil War, just over 3,500 service members have received this nation's highest military honor. That number is small by design. The threshold is not bravery alone. It is bravery of a kind that stands apart from everything else.
We pause today not simply to observe a date on the calendar, but to genuinely reflect on what these recipients gave and what they represent. Their courage set a standard for selfless service that continues to inspire every generation that follows.
To the recipients of the Medal of Honor, and to the families who carry their memory, this department stands in your honor today.