In fact, of the 1,522 Medals of Honor awarded during the War Between the States, 105 were presented for actions on Tennessee soil. The Indian campaigns of the Old West saw eight Tennesseans earn the nation’s highest honor. Among them were former Confederate drummer boy Clay Beauford, Buffalo Soldier Sgt.

the President

Jacob Parrott

Alvin York, (born Dec. 13, 1887, Pall Mall, Tenn., U.S.—died Sept. 2, 1964, Nashville, Tenn.), celebrated American hero of World War I, immortalized by the film version of his life story, Sergeant York (1941).

Although not required by law or military regulation, members of the uniformed services are encouraged to render salutes to recipients of the Medal of Honor as a matter of respect and courtesy regardless of rank or status, whether or not they are in uniform.

Jacklyn Harold “Jack” Lucas

Perhaps the most notable two-time Medal of Honor recipients are Smedley Butler and Dan Daly, both Marines who began their careers in the late-19th century before serving in World War I. Dan Daly received his two Medals of Honor for actions in China and Haiti in 1900 and 1915.

No, Metal of Honor recipients should not be exempt from US federal income taxes. Already, they receive a special Metal of Honor Pension above and beyond a military pension. They receive a tax free stipend of $1,300 per month. If retired they receive a 10% kicker on their retirement pay.

The Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom are the highest civilian awards in the United States.

William D. Swenson, Thomas Payne and Matthew O. Williams are the only Medal of Honor recipients still on active duty.

The George Cross

Presidential Medal of Freedom

The George Cross (GC) is the highest award bestowed by the British government for non-operational gallantry or gallantry not in the presence of an enemy….

This is the highest bravery award for a civilian. One rank below the George Cross is the George Medal, which is worth £3,500 to £4,500, followed by the Queen’s Gallantry Medal, which can sell for £8,000 to £11,000.

Service veterans are entitled to receive medals in recognition of their Service if they meet the qualifying criteria. If the Service person is deceased, the immediate next of kin is entitled to receive any medals. The immediate next of kin will be the spouse – but if also deceased, it will be the eldest child.

The Victoria Cross is the ‘holy grail’ for medal collectors because there are only 1,357 in existence. Bearing the inscription ‘For valour’ and known as a VC, this medal was first awarded for ‘conspicuous bravery’ in 1856 and later backdated to the Crimean war of 1854.

Generally, rare medals can be worth a lot of money, and common medals won’t be worth as much. However, sometimes a common medal can sell for a lot of money if it belonged to someone of historical interest.

The general rules for the official next of kin are: the person’s spouse or civil partner has the first claim to the medal, and then the eldest child. if there’s no spouse or child, the parent is entitled to apply. if there’s no spouse, child or parent, the eldest grandchild is entitled to apply.

The medals you can’t sell on eBay are specifically spelled out in the Government IDs and Licenses Policy :

• Congressional Medal of Honor.
• Air Force Cross.
• Navy Cross (Navy, Marines, Coast Guard)
• Distinguished Service Cross (Army)
• Silver Star.
• Purple Heart.

The rule is that war medals should only be worn on the left breast by the person upon whom they were conferred. Technically this honour remains with the individual and does not pass to a widow, parent or relative upon death.

When is OK to wear my relatives medals ? War medals and service decorations of any sort may be worn only by the person upon whom they were conferred, and in no case does the right to wear war or service medals, or their ribbons, pass to any relative when the recipient is dead.