Learn about individuals
who displayed

Patriotism

Citizenship

Courage

Integrity

Sacrifice

Commitment

On March 25, our country observes National Medal of Honor Day, an annual recognition of more than 3,500 individuals who have received our nation’s highest military award for valor. It was on this date in 1863 that the first Medals of Honor were awarded to members of Andrews’ Raiders for their acts of valor on April 12, 1862, during the American Civil War. An additional 33 Medals of Honor were awarded for actions near Chattanooga, including at the Battles of Chickamauga, Wauhatchie, Orchard Knob, Lookout Mountain, and Missionary Ridge. These acts of valor—also known as the First Medals—created an important heritage that Chattanooga preserves as the Birthplace of the Medal of Honor.

With the Medal of Honor‘s story beginning in Chattanooga, no other state has a richer history with the nation’s highest award for valor than Tennessee. The United States Department of Defense officially recognizes 32 recipients from the state of Tennessee. Several other Medal of Honor recipients were born and raised in the Volunteer State, but they are credited to the state where they enlisted. In fact, a Tennessean has received the Medal of Honor in every conflict since it was first created in 1861.

In celebration of the 2022 Medal of Honor Convention in Knoxville, this collection features the stories of the Medal of Honor recipients who have connections to East Tennessee. They are organized chronologically by their date of action.