150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE (NAVY) MEDAL OF
HONOR

On December 9, 1861 Iowa Senator James
W. Grimes introduced S. No. 82 in the United States Senate, a bill designed to
"promote the efficiency of the Navy" by authorizing the production and
distribution of "medals of honor". On December 21st, 1861 the bill
was passed, authorizing 200 such medals be produced "which shall be bestowed
upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen and marines as shall distinguish
themselves by their gallantry in action and other seamanlike qualities during
the present war (Civil War)." President Lincoln signed the bill and the (Navy)
Medal of Honor was born