If you’re staring at a picture of a Medal of Honor, you’re actually looking at a massive piece of legal and emotional weight. It’s not just gold and ribbon. Honestly, most people see that distinct five-pointed star and think "bravery," but they don't realize that even possessing one of these medals—if you didn't earn it—can land you in a mess of federal trouble. It is the highest military decoration in the United States. It’s rare. Since its inception during the Civil War, only about 3,500 have been awarded.
Think about that number for a second.
Millions have served. Only a few thousand have this. When you see a high-resolution photo of the medal, you’ll notice it’s surprisingly intricate. There are actually three different versions: one for the Army, one for the Air Force, and one for the Navy (which the Marine Corps and Coast Guard also use). They aren't identical.
The Visual Anatomy of Valor
If you look closely at a picture of a Medal of Honor from the Army, you’ll see the head of Minerva. She’s the Roman goddess of wisdom and war. She is surrounded by a green laurel wreath. People often miss that. The Navy version is different; it features Minerva again, but she’s standing with a shield, representing the Union, fending off Discord. It’s heavy symbolism. The Air Force version, which didn’t exist until 1965, features the Statue of Liberty.
It’s about the details.
The ribbon is "Valorous Blue." It has thirteen white stars. Those stars represent the original thirteen colonies. It’s worn around the neck, which sets it apart from almost every other American award that gets pinned to the chest. This distinction is huge. It means when a recipient enters a room, even a four-star general is expected to salute them first. It’s a total flip of the usual military hierarchy.
The weight of the medal is real, too. Not just the physical weight of the gold-finished brass, but the history. Most medals are awarded posthumously. That’s the grim reality behind the image. When you see a photo of the medal being draped around a neck by the President, you’re usually seeing one of the lucky ones who made it back. Or you're seeing a family member holding a wooden case, eyes red, while the world watches.
The Legal Reality of the Image
Here is something weird. You can’t just go buy one of these for your collection. Well, you can’t do it legally. Under 18 U.S.C. § 704, it is a federal crime to unauthorizedly wear, manufacture, or sell the Medal of Honor. This is why you won’t see them on eBay. If you do, the FBI is usually not far behind.
I remember reading about cases where collectors tried to hawk them at pawn shops. It never ends well. The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 specifically made it a crime to lie about receiving the medal to obtain money or property. Even taking a picture of a Medal of Honor and using it to scam people is a fast track to a jail cell.
This brings up an interesting point about photography.
When museums or the Congressional Medal of Honor Society photograph these items, they do so with a level of reverence usually reserved for the Constitution. The lighting is soft. The focus is sharp. They want you to see the "Valor" inscribed on the bar. They want you to see the tiny eagle on the Army version.
Why the Design Changed Over Time
Back in the 1860s, the medal looked a lot different. It was basically a bit of metal on a red, white, and blue striped ribbon. It looked too much like the badge of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans' organization. This caused a lot of confusion. Veterans were walking around with badges that looked like the Medal of Honor, and the actual recipients got annoyed.
By 1904, the "Gillespie" design was patented.
This was a big deal because patenting the design allowed the government to legally stop people from making cheap knockoffs. George Gillespie, a recipient himself from the Civil War, redesigned the Army version into the shape we recognize today. He wanted it to be unmistakable.
If you compare a picture of a Medal of Honor from the 1890s to one from 1920, the difference is jarring. The modern version feels more "official." It feels like it belongs in a vault. It’s also interesting to note that the medal is technically "presented in the name of Congress," which is why you’ll often hear it called the Congressional Medal of Honor, though its official name is just the Medal of Honor.
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The Human Element Behind the Gold
We often get caught up in the aesthetics. We talk about the gold plating and the silk ribbon. But the most important part of any picture of a Medal of Honor is actually on the back.
The reverse side of the medal is engraved with the recipient's name and the date of the action. It’s personalized. It’s no longer a government-issued piece of metal; it’s a specific person’s legacy.
Take the case of Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez. If you haven't read his citation, you should. It’s basically a horror movie script where the protagonist refuses to die. He survived dozens of grenade fragments and bullet wounds to save his team in Vietnam. When you see a photo of his medal, you aren't just seeing a decoration. You are seeing the physical manifestation of six hours in hell.
The medal is a burden for many.
Many recipients talk about "wearing it for those who didn't come home." They don't say they won the medal. They say they were awarded it. There is a massive distinction there. You win a race. You are awarded the Medal of Honor for doing something so incredibly dangerous that no one would have blamed you for not doing it.
Spotting the Real Deal vs. the Fakes
If you’re a researcher or just someone interested in military history, knowing how to spot a real medal in a photo is a useful skill.
First, look at the stars on the ribbon. There should be thirteen. They are arranged in a very specific pattern: a top row of three, a middle row of five, and a bottom row of five. If the arrangement is off, it’s a fake.
Second, check the "V" attachment. On the Army version, the medal hangs from a bar that says "VALOR." The font is very specific. It’s not a standard Times New Roman. It’s a custom, blocky serif.
Third, look at the finish. The real medal has a slightly matte, high-quality gold finish. It doesn't look like cheap plastic or shiny chrome. It has a depth to it. This is because it’s made by specific contracted companies like H.L.P. (His Lordship Products) under strict government supervision.
What to Do If You Find One
Actually finding a real medal in an attic or at an estate sale is incredibly rare, but it happens. Usually, it’s a family heirloom that someone forgot about.
If you ever come across one, don't put it on a marketplace.
The best move is to contact the Congressional Medal of Honor Society or a reputable military museum. They can help verify the provenance. If it belongs to a family, it should stay with the family. If there are no heirs, many of these medals find their way to the Smithsonian or the National Museum of the United States Army.
Viewing a picture of a Medal of Honor should be a starting point for learning about the person who wore it. The National Medal of Honor Museum website has an incredible database. You can look up a name and see the face of the person who did the impossible.
Moving Toward a Deeper Understanding
So, you've seen the photos. You know what the stars mean. You know about Minerva and the Gillespie design. What now?
The next step is to stop looking at the object and start looking at the citations. A citation is the official story of why the medal was given. They are usually written in dry, military prose, but the actions described are anything but dry. They describe people jumping on grenades, running through minefields, and holding off entire battalions alone.
When you pair the picture of a Medal of Honor with the words of the citation, the image changes. It stops being a pretty piece of jewelry and starts being a heavy, complicated symbol of the extremes of human nature.
Actionable Insights for Researching the Medal of Honor
- Verify the Version: Identify if you are looking at the Army, Navy/Marine Corps, or Air Force version by checking for the head of Minerva vs. the Statue of Liberty.
- Check the Ribbon: Ensure the 13-star pattern on the blue silk ribbon matches the official 3-5-5 arrangement.
- Read the Citation: Use the CMOHS Database to match a name or image with the actual story of valor.
- Respect the Law: Remember that the sale of these medals is illegal in the U.S. under federal law; report any suspicious listings to the authorities rather than attempting to purchase them.
- Visit a Display: If you want to see one in person, the Medal of Honor Gallery at the National Museum of the Marine Corps or the Smithsonian National Museum of American History are the gold standards for authenticated displays.
The Medal of Honor remains the pinnacle of service. Whether it's captured in a grainy black-and-white photo from the 1940s or a high-definition digital image today, the resonance is the same. It is a reminder that, occasionally, individuals choose to put everyone else’s lives above their own. That's a lot of power for a small piece of gold-finished brass to hold.