Medal Of Honor Recipients To Receive Larger Pension For Their Service

There are 61 living Medal of Honor recipients, and it should go without saying that none of them were thinking about anything other than doing their duty when they went above and beyond. Money certainly wasn’t in the equation, but this month, President Donald Trump also made sure it shouldn’t be a concern for those individuals either.

On Monday, the president signed into law the Monetary Enhancement for Distinguished Active Legends, or MEDAL Act. It raised the monthly pension to Medal of Honor recipients from $1,489.73 to $5,625, or about $67,500 annually. The stipends are also meant to cover the costs of having earned the U.S. military’s top award, the Military Times explained. That includes traveling to appearances and other events, where all costs are not always covered.

The pension is also meant to show the gratitude of the American people.

“While we will never be able to repay the debt we owe to the men and women whose actions earned them this medal, we can continue to honor them by ensuring they are cared for, respected, and supported,” said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, via a media release.

Cruz sponsored his Senate’s version of the bill, while the House version was a bipartisan effort led by Republican Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas and New Hampshire Democrat Chris Pappas.

“They never ask for special recognition or demand special treatment. Many of them spend most of their time traveling our country, telling their stories, inspiring the next generation of America’s heroes,” explained Nehls in a statement, adding that the bill “eases the financial burden of our nation’s highest decorated veterans by increasing their special pension.”

History Of The Medal Of Honor And Its Honorarium

The origins of the United States Armed Forces’ highest decoration date to the American Civil War, when Iowa Senator James W. Crimes introduced a bill to “promote the efficiency of the Navy” by authorizing the production and distribution of “medals of honor.” Within months, a similar bill was introduced to award privates of the U.S. Army. The wording and nature of the bills changed, including that the award would be for soldiers of all services and all ranks.

On July 12, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the authorization of the Medal of Honor.

The very first recipient of the Medal of Honor was Private Jacob Parrott of Company K, 33D Ohio Infantry, who was one of twenty-two men – later known as “Andrew’s Raiders” – who penetrated nearly 200 miles south into enemy territory and captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Georgia, in an attempt to destroy the bridges and track between Chattanooga and Atlanta. Captured during the raid and severely tortured, Parrott was later part of a prisoner exchange. Parrott continued to serve in the Union Army for the remainder of the war, earning a commission and rising to the rank of First Lieutenant.

As it was the only U.S. military award for valor during the conflict that saw brother fight brother, a total of 1,527 medals were awarded. With the introduction of other medals and awards in the latter half of the 19th century, by the time of the Spanish-American War, the Medal of Honor had become the supreme honor. Since then, it has been awarded to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen.

Although Private Parrott and the other 1,526 service members received a physical medal, it wasn’t until 1916 that any stipend was paid to recipients.

It was only then that Congress authorized a $10 monthly honorarium or pension for Medal of Honor recipients, and it remained at that level until 1961, when it was increased to $100. In 2002, the pension was then raised to $1,000 per month. Lawmakers have since increased the pension based on that figure, plus an annual cost-of-living adjustment.

There had been calls to increase the amount to $100,000 annually, but it was only this year that the figure was raised to its current level, intended to free recipients from any financial burdens.

“We must honor our service members who have earned this award by ensuring they are financially secure after their military service is over,” Pappas said while introducing the bill earlier this year, per the Military Times.

Limited Money Making Opportunities

Recipients of the Medal of Honor don’t have the financial opportunities of Olympic athletes, who can quickly cash in after winning their medals. There are no prohibitions on civilian employment or income, including paid speaking engagements and book sales, but this pales in comparison to that of professional athletes, and Medal of Honor recipients must also contend with ethical guidelines.

It is also important to note that it is illegal to sell or buy a Medal of Honor. The Stolen Valor Acts of 2005 and 2013 were designed to protect the integrity and prestige of the highest military award.

Most Recent Medal of Honor Recipients

The most recent living recipient of the Medal of Honor is former Army Specialist 4th Class Kenneth David, an Ohio native. He was presented the award at President Joe Biden’s final Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House in January. In addition to David, the former president issued six posthumous awards to Pvt. Bruno R. Orig; Pfc. Wataru Nakamura; Cpl. Fred B. McGee; Pfc. Charles R. Johnson; Gen. Richard E. Cavazos; and Capt. Hugh R. Nelson Jr.

“I’m deeply privileged to honor seven American heroes,” Biden said in his remarks. “That’s not hyperbole. These are genuine, to their core, heroes. Heroes of different ranks, different positions, and even different generations. But heroes who all went above and beyond the call of duty. Heroes who all deserve our nation’s highest and oldest military recognition, the Medal of Honor.”