The Medal of Honor is the highest military award for bravery that can be given to any individual in the United States of America. Conceived in the early 1860's and first presented in 1863, the medal has a colorful and inspiring history, which has culminated in the standards applied today for awarding this respected honor.
In their provisions for judging if a person is entitled to the Medal of Honor, each of the armed services has set up regulations which permit no margin of error. The deed of the person must be proven by incontestable evidence of at least two eyewitnesses; it must be so outstanding that it clearly distinguishes his gallantry beyond the call of duty from lesser forms of bravery; it must involve the risk of his life; and it must be the type of deed which, if he had not done it, would not subject him to any justified criticism.
The Medal of Honor is presented to its recipients by a high official "in the name of the Congress of the United States." For this reason it is sometimes called the Congressional Medal of Honor.
As a general rule, the Medal of Honor may be awarded for a deed of personal bravery or self sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty only while the person is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States in action against an enemy of the United States, or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
Since 1863, a total of 3,420 Americans have received the Medal of Honor. This award was presented to 1,520 persons during the Civil War, 124 persons in World War I, 433 in World War II, 131 during the Korean War, 239 during the Vietnam War and 103 during peacetime. U. S. Army Staff Sergeant Hammett L. Bowen, Jr. is Marion County's only Medal of Honor recipient.
Medal of Honor
Florida Recipients
U. S. Air Force
2nd Lt. Robert E. Femoyer
Maj. Tnomas B. McGuire, jr.
U. S. Army
Pfc. Emery L. Bennett
S/Sgt. Hammett L. Bowen, Jr.
Sp4c. Nicholas J. Cutinha
Pvt. James H. Mills
2nd Lt. Alexander R. Nininger, jr.
S/Sgt. Clifford C. Sims
Capt. Charles A. Varnum
U. S. Marine Corps
Pfc. Bruce W. Carter
Pfc. Robert H. Jenkins, Jr.
Ist Lt. Baldomero Lopez
Pvt. Robert M. McTureous
Cpt. Larry E. Smedley
U. S. Navy
Comdr. David McCampbell
Lt. Comdr. William M. Corry
Lt. Clyde E. Lassen
CMM. Francis E. Ormsbee, Jr.
For further information or to make a contribution please contact:
Bob Childs (352) 622-3764 or Dr. Mike Horan (352) 351-3111
