If you’ve ever scrolled through a search engine looking for a picture of the Medal of Honor, you’ve probably seen a lot of things that aren't actually the Medal of Honor. Or, at least, they aren't the version you think they are. It’s confusing. Most people don’t realize there isn't just one "Medal of Honor." There are three. And honestly, the history behind how these things look—and how they’re photographed—is a lot more intense than some dry Wikipedia entry would have you believe.
We’re talking about the highest military decoration in the United States. It’s not just "a medal." It’s a piece of 18-karat gold-plated bronze that carries so much weight that even Generals and Presidents are supposed to salute the person wearing it, regardless of rank. But here’s the thing: because it’s so rare, people often mistake commemorative coins or "Veteran" badges for the real deal.
Why Every Picture of the Medal of Honor Looks Different
You’ll notice it immediately if you look closely at high-resolution images. One has an eagle. Another has the head of Minerva. One is hanging from a simple bar, while another has an elaborate anchor.
Basically, the Army, Navy, and Air Force each have their own distinct design. The Navy’s version is actually the oldest. It was authorized by Abraham Lincoln back in 1861. If you see a picture of the Medal of Honor where the star is hanging from an anchor, you're looking at the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard version. It’s a classic look. The Army version, redesigned in 1904, features the head of Minerva in the center of the star. It feels more "Roman" and stoic.
Then you have the Air Force. For a long time, they just used the Army’s medal. They didn't get their own distinct design until 1965. Theirs is slightly larger and features the Statue of Liberty. It’s kinda fascinating how these designs reflect the era they were born in.
The Evolution of the Ribbon
When you see a historical picture of the Medal of Honor from the Civil War era, the ribbon looks like a miniature American flag. It had vertical red, white, and blue stripes. It looked like something you’d pin on a lapel at a parade. That changed. In 1904, the War Department decided they needed something more "exclusive" to prevent people from making cheap knock-offs. They switched to the light blue silk ribbon with thirteen white stars that we recognize today.
Those stars? They represent the original thirteen colonies. It’s a subtle detail, but if you’re looking at a photo and the ribbon is red and white, you’re looking at a pre-1904 version or a reproduction.
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The Controversy of "The Tiffany Cross"
History is messy. Between 1919 and 1942, the Navy actually had two different Medals of Honor. This is a weird rabbit hole. One was for combat (the original star) and the other was for non-combat heroism, designed by the famous jeweler Tiffany & Co.
It was a gold cross. It looked nothing like the traditional star.
People hated it. Sailors felt it devalued the "real" medal, and it was eventually scrapped. If you ever stumble across a picture of the Medal of Honor that looks like a cross, you’ve found a "Tiffany Cross." They are incredibly rare. Only about 28 were ever actually awarded for combat before the Navy realized they’d made a branding mistake and went back to the star for everything.
Legal Risks: Why You Can't Just Buy One
Here’s a fact that surprises people: it is a federal crime to sell, trade, or even manufacture a realistic "lookalike" of the Medal of Honor. Under 18 U.S.C. § 704, specifically the Stolen Valor Act, the government doesn't play around with this.
You might see a picture of the Medal of Honor on an auction site, but unless it’s a verified historical artifact in a museum or a very specific legal exception, that listing is probably going to be taken down by the FBI. This is why you don’t see them on eBay. You can buy a Purple Heart. You can buy a Silver Star. But the Medal of Honor is legally protected in a way that almost no other physical object in America is.
Even photographing them can be tricky for some organizations. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is the official group that maintains the legacy of the recipients, and they are very particular about how the image of the medal is used. It’s not about gatekeeping; it’s about making sure the "aura" of the award isn't diluted by cheap marketing.
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Spotting a Fake in Photos
If you're looking at a picture of the Medal of Honor and trying to figure out if it's the real thing, look at the "crushing."
On a real medal, the details are crisp. The 13 stars on the blue neck ribbon are individually embroidered, not printed. The gold plating has a specific matte-yet-lustrous finish. Cheap replicas usually look "shiny" like a plastic toy or have a grainy texture because they were cast in a low-quality mold.
Also, look at the neck ribbon. The real Medal of Honor is the only US military award that is worn around the neck. If you see a photo of someone with a "Medal of Honor" pinned to their chest like a standard medal, it’s either a very old version (pre-1900s) or someone who doesn't know what they're doing.
The Human Side of the Image
We focus a lot on the metal and the silk. But the most important part of any picture of the Medal of Honor is the person wearing it. There are currently fewer than 70 living recipients.
When you see a photo of someone like Hershel "Woody" Williams (the last WWII recipient who passed recently) or Paris Davis, who finally received his medal decades after his service in Vietnam, the medal itself almost disappears. You start looking at the eyes. There’s usually a lot of pain there, mixed with a weird kind of humility.
Most recipients will tell you they "don't own" the medal. They say they’re just holding it for the guys who didn't come home. It sounds like a cliché until you talk to one. Then you realize they actually mean it.
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Why the "Medal of Honor" Name is Technically Wrong
Technically, it's just called the "Medal of Honor."
People call it the "Congressional Medal of Honor" because the President presents it "in the name of Congress." But if you look at the actual law, the word "Congressional" isn't in the title. It’s a tiny distinction, but if you’re writing about it or looking for official records, using the shorter name is what the experts do.
Digital Preservation and Modern Media
In the last decade, the way we see the medal has changed. High-definition macro photography allows us to see the tiny engravings on the back of the medals. Every single medal is engraved with the name of the recipient and the date of the action.
There is no "anonymous" Medal of Honor.
If you see a picture of the Medal of Honor and the back is blank, it's a display piece or a sample. The real ones are personalized. They are physical records of a single moment where someone decided their life was less important than the lives of the people standing next to them.
Actionable Steps for Researching or Using Images
If you are a writer, student, or just a history buff looking for a picture of the Medal of Honor, don't just grab the first thing you see on Google Images.
- Check the Source: Use the Congressional Medal of Honor Society website. They have the most accurate, high-resolution archive of the three different branch designs.
- Verify the Branch: Make sure you aren't using an Army medal photo for a story about a Navy SEAL. It’s a common mistake that military veterans will spot instantly.
- Respect the Legalities: If you're a content creator, avoid using the image of the medal to sell a product. The "Medal of Honor" name and its likeness are protected under trademark and federal law. Using it to imply an endorsement is a quick way to get a Cease and Desist.
- Look for the Name: If you have a photo of a medal and want to know if it's real, check for the engraving on the reverse side. Without a name, it's just a piece of metal.
Understanding the visual history of this award helps preserve what it actually stands for. It’s not just about a "cool photo." It’s about recognizing the specific, grueling history behind the gold star and the blue ribbon. Whether it’s the Army’s Minerva or the Navy’s anchor, each design tells a story of a specific branch and a specific era of American sacrifice.
To dig deeper into specific stories, look up the citations that accompany these photos. A picture tells you what the medal looks like, but the citation tells you what it cost. Finding the official Department of Defense archives for recent ceremonies is the best way to see the medal in its proper, modern context.