Rockford Sun

Rep. Joe Sosnowski took the opportunity to highlight the Medal of Honor, the highest award in the military for valor.

“The Medal of Honor is our nation's highest military award for valor, given to United States service members who distinguish themselves ‘through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty,’” Sosnowski said. “Today, on National Medal of Honor Day, we say thank you to this elite group for their great courage and dedication to our country.”

The Pritzker Military Museum and Library wrote President Abraham Lincoln authorized the medal’s creation.

The Department of Defense website on the Medal Of Honor wrote that there are three versions, one each for the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The nation’s highest military award for valor is the Medal of Honor, presented by the president in Congress’ name. By law, only U.S. service members who distinguish themselves “through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty” can receive the medal.

U.S. Highway 20 is getting rebranded to honor the medal. WREX 13 reports Illinois passed Senate Joint Resolution 28 that would do this.

“This partnership of states honoring their Medal of Honor recipients amplifies our deep appreciation and recognition of their heroism,” IDVA Director Terry Prince said to WREX 13. “Highway 20 intersects Illinois and connects us to Indiana and Iowa. It is well-traveled by many who will be reminded of those within our state who have fought courageously and selflessly.”

Veteran.com explains the origins of the three medals this way:

In 1862, the Army Medal of Honor has created thanks to a resolution introduced by the Senate Committee on Military Affairs, by Sen. Henry Wilson. In 1915, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard members were authorized to receive the Medal of Honor, and by the mid-1960s the Air Force also had its own version of the medal.

The DOD offered a quiz to individually test knowledge of the medal.

Approximately 100 individuals from Illinois have received the Medal of Honor since its inception, according to the Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States.