Do Marines Get Medal of Honor?

Yes, Marines are eligible to receive the Medal of Honor, which is the highest military honor awarded by the United States government. The Medal of Honor is presented to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.”

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Medal of Honor Criteria for Marines

The Medal of Honor criteria applies uniformly across all branches of the U.S. military, including the Marine Corps. For a Marine to receive the Medal of Honor, they must meet the following requirements:

Be serving in or with the U.S. Armed Forces at the time of the heroic act
Distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their own life
Go above and beyond the call of duty

Engage in direct combat with an enemy of the United States
The heroic act must be so notable that it clearly distinguishes their gallantry beyond the call of duty from lesser forms of bravery

The act of valor must involve great personal risk and danger to life when a reasonable person would understand the consequences of their actions. The would-be recipient’s actions should directly impact the success of the overall engagement or campaign against the enemy.

Notable Marines Who Received the Medal of Honor

Throughout history, Marines have received the Medal of Honor for extraordinary acts of bravery, courage, and sacrifice. Some of the most notable Marine Medal of Honor recipients include:

Sergeant William G. Harrell – Awarded for his actions in June 1951 during the Korean War when he sacrificed himself by diving on an enemy grenade to protect his fellow Marines.
Private First Class Douglas T. Jacobson – Received the medal for heroism in Vietnam in August 1967 when he rushed multiple enemy bunkers and destroyed them to save his platoon.

Lieutenant General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller – The only Marine to receive 5 Navy Crosses. Awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II for his bravery in the Battle of Guadalcanal.
Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone – Awarded the medal for his actions during the Battle of Guadalcanal. Held off over 3,000 Japanese troops despite being wounded.

As of 2022, there have been 135 Medals of Honor awarded to Marines or Marine Corps service members who served in the Corps at the time of their distinguished act of valor.

Recent Marine Medal of Honor Recipients

Some recent examples of Marines who have received the Medal of Honor include:

Corporal Kyle Carpenter – Received the medal in 2014 for heroically shielding his fellow Marine from a grenade blast in Afghanistan in 2010.
Sergeant Rafael Peralta – Posthumously awarded the medal for jumping on a grenade in Iraq in 2004, saving the lives of fellow Marines.

Corporal Jason Dunham – Posthumously received the medal for covering a grenade with his helmet and body to protect fellow Marines in Iraq in 2004.

Medal of Honor Award Process

For a Marine to receive the Medal of Honor, a formal process must take place:

The Marine’s command must submit a detailed official report describing the distinguished act of valor.

The report undergoes a review by the Marine Corps Awards Branch, which investigates its accuracy.
If deemed worthy, the recommendation is forwarded to the Secretary of the Navy.
The full nomination package is reviewed by the Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of Defense, and President of the United States.

If approved at each level, the President will award the Medal of Honor in a formal ceremony.

Due to the prestigious nature of the Medal of Honor, the review process is extremely rigorous to ensure it is awarded only to the most deserving recipients.

Conclusion

In summary, Marines are eligible to receive the Medal of Honor, the highest military award of the United States. There have been over 130 Marines who have received the medal since its creation during the Civil War. The Medal of Honor is only presented to those who demonstrate the highest level of valor and sacrifice on the battlefield, going above and beyond the call of duty. After a thorough review process, the President awards the Medal of Honor to recognize acts of heroism and bravery in combat by Marines and other U.S. Armed Forces members.