The
Medal of Honor

General George Washington established the first American military decoration, the Purple Heart, in 1782 during the Revolutionary War. At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, the U.S. Congress authorized a medal of honor for the Navy and the Army.

The Medal of Honor is the highest decoration of the U.S. Armed Forces. Congress awards the medal for bravery at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Seven U.S. submariners won the Medal of Honor during World War II: the first went to LCDR Howard Gilmore of the Growler; the second to CAPT John P. Cromwell who went down with Sculpin; the third to CAPT Lawson "Red" Ramage of the submarine Parche; the fourth to CAPT Samuel Dealey of Harder; the fifth to CAPT Gene Fluckey of Barb; the sixth to CAPT George Street of Tirante; and the seventh to Richard O'Kane of Tang.