This medal is one of only 1,200 issued to soldiers in the Civil War. Wary of the trappings of European royalty and nobility, America awarded few military decorations in the first decades of the republic. The sacrifice and heroism of Civil War soldiers broke down that reluctance. By 1862, Congress had created a medal of honor for “gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty.” Because it is authorized by Congress, it has been mistakenly called the Congressional Medal of Honor although its official title is just Medal of Honor.
