The Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor Museum, Patriots Point Maritime Museum, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

The new Medal of Honor Museum is located on the hanger deck of the USS Yorktown near the main entrance of the ship and features displays representing the eight eras for which the medal has been awarded.

Exhibits also include several Medals of Honor, artifacts and memorabilia related to recipients, original paintings by Patriots Point Artist in Residence, David A. Clark, original black and white renderings by the late Joe Cason, and citations describing the actions for which the coveted medals were awarded. In addition to numerous paper items related to recipients, artifacts of interest include an ashtray from the sunken submarine Squalus (SS-192) from which 33 of 59 crewmembers were rescued in 1939 thanks to the heroic actions of Swede Momson. Other items on display include: several Medal of Honor recipients: uniforms, weapons, a bible, and other personal items carried in combat.

The Medal of Honor Society maintains their national office in a suite immediately beside the exhibit, and assists with solicitation of memorabilia for the exhibit. Design for the interior of the exhibit and the financing for its construction was provided by Patriots Point. The exhibits serve to educate visitors of the contributions and sacrifices made in defense of the United States and consequent "above and beyond" individual awards. The eight display consoles along the interior curved wall represent the Civil War, Indian Campaigns, Wars of American Expansion, Peacetime, World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Each console displays photographs and engraved citations for selected recipients.

At the top of each console, the number of recipients for each war or era is noted. Of the total 3,399 recipients (as of October, 1993: two awards have been made since for Somalia and seven black soldiers who served in World War II were added January 13, 1997, plus others are under review), the Civil War ranks highest with 1, 520. Only 123 were added during World War I. The total number of medals awarded to date is 3,418 as 19 recipients received the medal twice. Names of the recipients are listed by war or era both inside the exhibit and on exterior panels. Landside, the Medal of Honor Society, has assisted youth groups with tree plantings in honor of recipients.