Best Normandy Guidebooks for the American Cemetery
Choosing a guidebook for the Normandy American Cemetery depends on your travel style. Find the right balance of historical depth and local logistics.
The Medal of Honor Archive
Every medal tells a story of uncommon valor
Explore all 3,555 Medals of Honor awarded since 1863 — the official citations, the lives behind them, and the places where America’s bravest rest.
3,555Medals of Honor
669awarded posthumously
65living recipients
754born outside the U.S.
18double recipients
Most recent awards
Latest Medals of Honor
2026James Capers Jr. · Vietnam War, presented June 18, 2026
2026Nicholas Dockery · Afghanistan, presented June 18, 2026
2026John W. Ripley · Vietnam War, presented June 18, 2026
2026Roderick W. "Roddie" Edmonds · World War II, presented March 2, 2026
2026Michael Harold Ollis · Afghanistan, presented March 2, 2026
Browse by conflict
From the Civil War to today
Stories of valor
Featured recipients
Explore the archive
More ways to browse
Service branch
U.S. Army
2,426 Medals of Honor · 18% posthumous
Service branchU.S. Navy
750 Medals of Honor · 7% posthumous
Service branchU.S. Marine Corps
307 Medals of Honor · 43% posthumous
Service branchU.S. Air Force & Army Air Forces
62 Medals of Honor · 60% posthumous
Service branchU.S. Coast Guard
1 Medals of Honor · 100% posthumous
HometownsRecipients by state
Where recipients were born and the states their medals are credited to.
Immigrant heroes
Born abroad
754 recipients were born in 40 other countries — Ireland and Germany above all.
Final resting placesCemeteries
412 recipients rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Find graves near you.
CalendarOn this day
A day-by-day calendar of Medal of Honor actions — every date of the year.
Battles & victories
Battles
87 battles — Gettysburg to Iwo Jima — with results, maps and the recipients who fought there.
What they didActs of valor
Recipients who covered grenades, captured flags, rescued comrades or fought on while wounded.
Beyond the Medal of HonorOther American heroes
Notable recipients of the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Purple Heart and more.
Guides
Understand the medal
The basics
What Is the Medal of Honor? History, Design and Criteria
How America’s highest military decoration began in the Civil War, what it takes to earn it, the three designs, and why it is called the “Congressional” Medal of Honor.
The processHow the Medal of Honor Is Awarded: Nomination to White House Ceremony
The step-by-step path of a Medal of Honor recommendation, the legal time limits, how Congress waives them, and why so many medals are awarded decades late.
FAQMedal of Honor FAQ: Answers to the Most Common Questions
How many recipients are there, who was the first, has a woman received it, do generals salute recipients? Straight answers backed by our archive.
BenefitsMedal of Honor Benefits and Privileges
The special pension, burial honors, travel, commissary and academy privileges that come with the Medal of Honor — and where to check current details.
GenealogyHow to Research a Military Ancestor and Find Their Grave
A practical guide to service records, pension files, unit histories, newspapers and gravesite locators — with the free sources genealogists use most.
CalendarMilitary Holidays and Observances Calendar
Exact dates for Medal of Honor Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, service birthdays and other days to honor American troops — this year and next.
From the blog
Latest articles
Planning an American Battlefield Tour in Europe Gear List
Purchase high-quality topographical maps, durable footwear, and a dedicated historical guidebook to effectively navigate American sites across Europe.
The Best Books on Arlington National Cemetery History
Robert Poole’s On Hallowed Ground is the definitive history of Arlington National Cemetery, detailing its transformation from a plantation to a shrine.
Visiting Arlington National Cemetery A Practical Approach
The official website is the only reliable source for visiting Arlington National Cemetery, which spans 639 acres. Use it to plan your trip effectively.
Choosing Reliable References on American Military Cemeteries
Select credible sources on overseas military cemeteries by prioritizing official government records and peer-reviewed historical studies over blogs.
Which Almanac Lists American Battles by Date for Calendars
The American Military History Almanac is the standard source for daily battle records, covering over 1,500 engagements from the Revolution to today.
Honoring American troops since 2004
Honor them with more than words
This site began in 2004 as a grassroots tribute to service members. Today it is an open archive of America’s highest award for valor — and a starting point for supporting the troops, veterans and military families who serve now.
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Veterans Crisis Line
Free, confidential support 24/7 for veterans, service members and their families. Dial 988 then press 1, Text 838255, or chat online.
Get help
Free, confidential support 24/7 for veterans, service members and their families. Dial 988 then press 1, Text 838255, or chat online.