10-U.S.C.-6241

§6241 – Medal of Honor

Pathway

Title 10 > Subtitle C > Part II > Chapter 567 > Section 6241

Details

• Reference: Section 6241
• Legend: §6241 – Medal of Honor
• USCode Year: 2013

Provision Content

The President may award, and present in the name of Congress, a medal of honor of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while a member of the naval service, distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty—

(1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;

(2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or

(3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 389; Pub. L. 88–77, §2(1), July 25, 1963, 77 Stat. 93; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1503(b)(2), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 512.)

In subsection (a) the word award is added for clarity since the President determines the recipient, in addition to presenting the medal in the name of Congress. The words a member of the naval service are substituted for the words in the naval service of the United States for uniformity. The word distinguishes is substituted for the words shall * * * distinguish for uniformity.

In subsection (b) the words of the medal of honor authorized on August 8, 1942 are substituted for the words adopted pursuant to the Act approved December 21, 1861 (12 Stat. 330) for the reason that the 1861 Act does not establish the design, and the date of formal adoption of the design of the medal is obscure. The effect of the subsection is to continue the design recognized by 34 U.S.C. 354.

Amendments

1996—Par. (2). Pub. L. 104–106 inserted or after an opposing foreign force;.

1963—Pub. L. 88–77 enlarged the authority to award the medal of honor, which was limited to those cases in which persons distinguished themselves in action involving actual conflict with an enemy, or in the line of his profession, and without detriment to the mission of his command or to the command to which attached, to permit its award for distinguished service while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party, and substituted the requirement that it be of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, for the requirement that it be the same as that authorized on August 8, 1942.

Meritorious Service Medal

Establishment of, see Ex. Ord. No. 11448, set out as a note preceding section 1121 of this title.

U.S. Encyclopedia of Law Coverage

10-U.S.C.-6203 in the Legal Encyclopedia: Navy

In this entry about 10-U.S.C.-6203, find legal reference material, bibliographies and premiere content related to navy in the American Encyclopedia of Law, presenting a comprehensive view of the United States navy-specific issues, written by authorities in the field.

10-U.S.C.-6159 in the Legal Encyclopedia: Navy Personnel

In this entry about 10-U.S.C.-6159, find legal reference material, bibliographies and premiere content related to navy personnel in the American Encyclopedia of Law, presenting a comprehensive view of the United States navy personnel-specific issues, written by authorities in the field.

10-U.S.C.-3751 in the Legal Encyclopedia: Awards

In this entry about 10-U.S.C.-3751, find legal reference material, bibliographies and premiere content related to awards in the American Encyclopedia of Law, presenting a comprehensive view of the United States awards-specific issues, written by authorities in the field.

Topic Map

• Browse the Topic Map in relation with Title 10 (Armed Forces) guided by subject interests.