The Rarest US Military Awards: A Journey Through History

In the annals of military honors, certain awards stand out as incredibly rare, often awarded to a handful of individuals who have accomplished feats of exceptional valor or service. From the Revolutionary War to more recent conflicts, these decorations represent the pinnacle of military distinction. Let's delve into some of the rarest US military awards and explore their historical significance.

A Rare Look at Unique Military Awards

The Badge of Military Merit, the first US military decoration, was established during the Revolutionary War by George Washington. Only three are known to exist today, making this award one of the rarest of them all. This rare honor was intended for enlisted personnel who distinguished themselves in battle.

During the same period, the Continental Congress also presented a number of Continental Congress Presentation Swords. Just 15 of these highly prized swords were awarded to officers. Other officer awards included the Thanks of Congress and/or the Constitutional Gold Medal.

The Evolution of Military Awards

The Marine Corps Brevet Medal was another rare honor, with only 20 awarded, also exclusively to officers. This medal was a marker of distinguished service and exceptional merit.

The Congressional Gold Medal and the Congressional Thanks have a longer history, with the Congressional Gold Medal being awarded around 33 times in total, while the Thanks of Congress was awarded about 48 times, with a majority during the Civil War.

Later Military Honors

Following the Civil War and subsequent conflicts, veteran’s societies issued their own medals, which were later authorized to be worn on military uniforms. These included the Certificate of Merit, which was awarded to civilians and soldiers after the Mexican and Spanish-American Wars, totaling 1,206 in all.

These societies played a significant role in recognizing the sacrifices and valor of soldiers, but the rarest of all military decorations, in the context of US military service, is often considered to be the Soviet Order of Victory, awarded to exactly one US officer: Dwight D. Eisenhower following World War II.

The Challenging Path to Receiving the MOH

Perhaps one of the most challenging of all military awards to receive is the Congressional Medal of Honor (CMH), the nation's highest award for valor. Established during the Civil War, only about 3,400 recipients have been awarded since then. In the early twentieth century, the criteria for receiving the CMH were formalized and narrowed, significantly reducing the number of awards.

While 1,500 were awarded for the Civil War, only 464 were awarded during World War II. The reasons for the rarity of this award can be understood by examining the complex accompanying research of the recipients.

Obsolescence and Uniqueness

The Marine Corps Brevet Medal, though approved for 23 Marines, was later discontinued and is no longer awarded. However, the US Coast Guard Cross, authorized in 2010, remains unissued to this day.

Another rare honor is the US Congressional Presentation Sword, awarded to 67 Navy officers and warrant officers during the War of 1812 for service in four distinct engagements.

A Final Note on Awards

A final correction to clarify historical records: George Washington was posthumously promoted to the rank of General of the Armies of the United States in 1976 by a resolution of Congress. Though he was promoted to this rank, he did not have an insignia for this rank, and General John J. Pershing was the only active duty officer to hold this rank until 1919, when Pershing chose to wear four gold stars to signify his rank.

These rare military awards not only stand as testaments to exceptional service but also serve as enduring symbols of the values and sacrifices that define our nation's military history.