What would you have to do to get the Congetional Medal of Honor?

Question

Last time I heard someone got it was during the conflict in Somalia and those were almost impossible odds they faced.

Answer 1

You asked what is required to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor right? It appears that people believe you asked if they could complain some more about liberals and not give you any real answer.

(The Medal of Honor, established by Joint Resolution of
Congress, 12 July 1862 (amended by Act of 9 July 1918 and Act of 25 July 1963) is awarded in the name of Congress to person who, while a member of the Army, distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty 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 (figure 1). The deed performed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his comrades and must have involved risk of life. Incontestable proof of the performance of the service will be exacted and each recommendation for the award of this decoration will be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit. Eligibility is limited to members of the Army of the United States in active Federal military service.)
This comes from the Army, but a service member from any branch can be awarded the MOH. The requirements are the same.

Cpl. Jason Dunham, USMC, was the last person awarded the MOH.

Answer 2

There is, at times, a VERY fine line between getting the Congressional Medal of Honor (CMOH) and getting a Court Martial.
Old friend of mine (older than me by 4 years) rescued 2 Navy pilots in N. Viet Nam. He was at one point ordered to return to his ship. He stayed and made more than one attempt to land, even tried to hover and pick them up through the trees. When Clyde landed on the USS Jouett (almost out of fuel) he still had branches and leaves in his wheels/struts. His wife brought out the citation one night and she said the citation doesn't really cover all that went on. His CO originally wanted to court martial him for disobeying an order, but the 2 pilots' CO put him in for the CMOH.
Clyde passed away back in '94.
He eventually had a ship named after him around 2001 or 2002. USS Lassen DDG-82.
There have been 2 MOH awarded in Iraq. One in 2003 and one in 2004, to the best of my knowledge, but I'm sure you can do a google.com search to verify that.
(USN, retired/in-country Viet Nam vet)

Answer 3

Point 1. Pass a spelling Bee.

Point 2. Its more correctly known as the Medal Of Hon our.

Don't know where you get the "Congressional" bit from

Answer 4

You have to do something above and beyond the call of duty unless you are a General. Gen.Westmorland got one and he never faced danger in his entire life which was an insult to all the people he sent to their death for his.
BB

Answer 5

Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith

B Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Army

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith’s extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” and the United States Army.

Answer 6

Theres been a few during Iraq, their just not on the TV because heroism isn't a good thing to liberals.

But most people get them from jumping on a grenade, sacrifice at its best.

Answer 7

In a word, do something gloriously stupid that saves other peoples lives, usually at the expense of your own.

Answer 8

You would have to rescue an islamist terrorist to get a medal from the congressional leadership.

Answer 9

It is usually given posthumously, so you don't really want one, because you are probably dead.