Can Medal of Honor be revoked?

Can the Medal of Honor be revoked? While extremely rare, the Medal of Honor has been revoked in the past, though no revocations have occurred in modern times due to stringent verification processes and legal protections now in place.

Historical Revocations of the Medal of Honor

The most significant revocation occurred in 1916-1917 when the U.S. Army reviewed all Medal of Honor awards and revoked 911 medals. This mass revocation happened because earlier criteria were less stringent, and many awards didn't meet the updated standards requiring "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty."

Notably, the entire 27th Maine Infantry Regiment had received the medal in 1863 simply for extending their service, which was later deemed inappropriate. Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, the only woman to receive the Medal of Honor, also had hers revoked during this review, though it was posthumously restored in 1977.

Modern Legal Protections

Today, revoking a Medal of Honor would be extraordinarily difficult. The medal is protected under federal law, and recipients gain legal status that cannot be easily altered. The rigorous modern nomination process includes multiple levels of review, witness testimony, and documentation requirements that make erroneous awards highly unlikely.

Current Revocation Process

If revocation were necessary today, it would require:

- Evidence of fraud or misrepresentation in the original award

- Congressional action or military board review

- Due process protections for the recipient

- Compliance with federal statutes protecting the medal's integrity

Why Revocations Are Unlikely Today

The modern Medal of Honor selection process involves extensive investigation, multiple witness accounts, and thorough documentation. Each nomination undergoes review by military leadership, the Secretary of Defense, and ultimately the President.

While technically possible under extreme circumstances involving fraud, the Medal of Honor's current legal protections and rigorous award process make revocation virtually impossible in practice. For those interested in Medal of Honor history, exploring the stories behind specific awards reveals the extraordinary courage these decorations represent.