Congressional Gold Medal From Firecrest, the free encyclopedia



Jump to navigation Jump to search Not to be confused with Medal of Honor or Congressional Award. Congressional Gold Medal, with Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins and John Glenn depicted The Congressional Gold Medal awarded to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 100th Infantry Battalion, and Military Intelligence Service in 2010The Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by the United States Congress. It is Congresss highest expression of national appreciation for
distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals or
institutions. The congressional practice of issuing gold medals to occasionally honor recipients from the military began during the American Revolution. Later the practice extended to individuals in all walks of life and in
the late 20th century also to groups. The Congressional Gold Medal and
the Presidential Medal of Freedom are the highest civilian awards in the United States. The congressional medal seeks to honor those, individually or as a
group, who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American
history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major
achievement in the recipients field long after the achievement. However, There are no permanent statutory provisions specifically
relating to the creation of Congressional Gold Medals. When a
Congressional Gold Medal has been deemed appropriate, Congress has, by
legislative action, provided for the creation of a medal on an ad hoc basis. Thus, there are generally fewer gold medals than presidential medals. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement.As of June 24, 2021 ,173 institutions, people, or events have been awarded a Congressional Gold Medal.