National Medal of Honor Day is observed annually on March 25th in the United States to honor the recipients of the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest and most prestigious military decoration awarded for valor in combat.
Movies and books have been made about these brave patriots; however, their stories are rarely told and remembered.
History of National Medal of Honor Day
The day was established by Congress in 1990 and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush.
The date March 25th was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the first-ever Medal of Honor presentation, which took place on March 25, 1863. On this day, six members of Andrew’s Raiders (Union Army volunteers who conducted a raid in the South during the Civil War) were awarded the medal.
Since its creation in 1861 during the Civil War, the Medal of Honor has been awarded to over 3,500 individuals.
Meaning and Importance
The day serves as a time to recognize and appreciate the extraordinary heroism and sacrifices of Medal of Honor recipients.
It is also an opportunity for Americans to reflect on the values of courage, selflessness, and dedication embodied by those who have received this honor.
Ceremonies and events are held nationwide, including at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
How People Observe It
Attending or watching ceremonies honoring Medal of Honor recipients.
Learning and teaching about the stories of those who have received the medal.
Engaging in acts of service to honor veterans and active-duty military personnel.
Visiting war memorials or military museums.
A Hero’s Story
There are many incredible stories of Medal of Honor recipients, but one that stands out as a powerful reflection of the medal’s meaning is the story of Army Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez. His actions during the Vietnam War exemplify courage, sacrifice, and an unbreakable will to save others.
Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez – “Six Hours in Hell”
On May 2, 1968, Benavidez, a Green Beret, voluntarily boarded a helicopter to assist a 12-man Special Forces team that was surrounded by North Vietnamese troops in Cambodia. They were pinned down under heavy fire, unable to escape.
Acts of Heroism
Jumped into enemy fire: Armed only with a knife and a medical bag, Benavidez leaped from the helicopter into a combat zone, running through gunfire to reach the wounded soldiers.
Suffered multiple wounds: He was shot in the face, back, and legs, stabbed with a bayonet, and hit by shrapnel—but kept fighting.
Saved his comrades: Despite being critically injured, he carried and dragged soldiers to the rescue chopper, often using his body as a shield against enemy bullets.
Refused to die: After finally collapsing from his wounds, he was presumed dead and placed in a body bag. When a doctor began zipping it up, Benavidez spat in his face to show he was still alive.
He endured six hours of brutal combat and single-handedly saved at least eight soldiers. His actions earned him the Medal of Honor, awarded by President Ronald Reagan in 1981.
Why His Story Represents the Medal of Honor
Benavidez’s story reflects the core values of the Medal of Honor:
Bravery beyond comprehension: He volunteered for what was essentially a suicide mission to save his comrades.
Self-sacrifice: Despite near-fatal wounds, he put his team’s lives above his own.
Refusal to give up: Even after being pronounced dead, his determination to survive mirrored his battlefield resilience.
When President Reagan awarded him the Medal of Honor, he famously said: “If the story of his heroism were a movie script, you would not believe it.”
Master Sergeant Benavidez’s story is a testament to the extraordinary heroism represented by the Medal of Honor. He is one of many who have shown outstanding bravery while in the United States Armed Forces.
Let’s not forget them today and every day. Remember…
“The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.”
