2013 US Code
Title 10 - Armed Forces
Subtitle C - Navy and Marine Corps (§§ 5001 - 7921)
Part II - PERSONNEL (§§ 5401 - 6522)
Chapter 567 - DECORATIONS AND AWARDS (§§ 6241 - 6258)
Section 6241 - Medal of honor

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Metadata
Publication TitleUnited States Code, 2012 Edition, Supplement 1, Title 10 - ARMED FORCES
CategoryBills and Statutes
CollectionUnited States Code
SuDoc Class NumberY 1.2/5:
Contained WithinTitle 10 - ARMED FORCES
Subtitle C - Navy and Marine Corps
PART II - PERSONNEL
CHAPTER 567 - DECORATIONS AND AWARDS
Sec. 6241 - Medal of honor
Containssection 6241
Date2013
Laws in Effect as of DateJanuary 16, 2014
Positive LawYes
Dispositionstandard
Source CreditAug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 389; Pub. L. 88-77, §2(1), July 25, 1963, 77 Stat. 93; Pub. L. 104-106, div. A, title XV, §1503(b)(2), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 512.
Statutes at Large References12 Stat. 330
40 Stat. 1056
56 Stat. 743
77 Stat. 93
110 Stat. 512
Public Law ReferencesPublic Law 88-77, Public Law 104-106

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Medal of honor - 10 U.S.C. § 6241 (2013)
§6241. Medal of honor

The President may award, and present in the name of Congress, a medal of honor of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while a member of the naval service, distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty—

(1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;

(2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or

(3) 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.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 389; Pub. L. 88–77, §2(1), July 25, 1963, 77 Stat. 93; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1503(b)(2), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 512.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
6241 34 U.S.C. 354. Feb. 4, 1919, ch. 14, §1, 40 Stat. 1056; Aug. 7, 1942, ch. 551, §1, 56 Stat. 743.

In subsection (a) the word "award" is added for clarity since the President determines the recipient, in addition to presenting the medal in the name of Congress. The words "a member of the naval service" are substituted for the words "in the naval service of the United States" for uniformity. The word "distinguishes" is substituted for the words "shall * * * distinguish" for uniformity.

In subsection (b) the words "of the medal of honor authorized on August 8, 1942" are substituted for the words "adopted pursuant to the Act approved December 21, 1861 (12 Stat. 330)" for the reason that the 1861 Act does not establish the design, and the date of formal adoption of the design of the medal is obscure. The effect of the subsection is to continue the design recognized by 34 U.S.C. 354.

AMENDMENTS

1996—Par. (2). Pub. L. 104–106 inserted "or" after "an opposing foreign force;".

1963—Pub. L. 88–77 enlarged the authority to award the medal of honor, which was limited to those cases in which persons distinguished themselves in action involving actual conflict with an enemy, or in the line of his profession, and without detriment to the mission of his command or to the command to which attached, to permit its award for distinguished service 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, and substituted the requirement that it be of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, for the requirement that it be the same as that authorized on August 8, 1942.

MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL

Establishment of, see Ex. Ord. No. 11448, set out as a note preceding section 1121 of this title.

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