This is highest military decoration in the United States of America, officially called the "Medal of Honor", but frequently referred to as the "Congressional Medal of Honor". It was first awarded during the Civil War and the latest action for which it has been awarded was Somalia. It has often been given posthumously. It was originally given only to enlisted men although Army officers first received them in 1891 and Naval officers in 1915.
The medal is usually referred to as "CMOH" by contemporary US military personnel. In 20th century, the CMOH has been awarded for extreme bravery above and beyond the call of duty, where a person consistently and persistently has put his comrades safety foremost to the utter disregard of his own life. The CMOH outranks everything. The highest ranking officer in the US military is required to initiate the salute, no matter how low an enlisted grade the recipient.
Medal of Honor awarded since 1863
2625 before 20th century, 1130 after 1900
Civil War 1520
Indian Wars 423
Korean 1871 Expedition 15
Philippine War 91
[Boxer Rebellion]? 59
Veracruz 1914 55
Central American actions 1915-33 13
WW I 123
WW II 433
Korean War 131
Vietnam War 239
Peacetime 192
See also http://www.cmohs.org/medal.htm