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The Design of the Medal of Honor

 

 

Navy Medal of Honor

The Navy's Medal of Honor was the first approved and the first designed. The initial work was done by the Philadelphia Mint at the request of Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles. The Mint submitted several designs for consideration, and the one prepared by the Philadelphia firm of William Wilson & Sons was the design selected. The engraving shows Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and the arts, repulsing a male figure. Minerva represents the Union and the male represents the Confederacy.

 

                

 Copy of the original     Copy of the original
Navy Medal of Honor    Army Medal of Honor

 

Army Medal of Honor

The original design for the Army at the left was created by Christian Schussel and engraved by Anthony C. Pacquot. The pendant was identical to the design approved by the Navy, with the exception of the suspension and clasp. It consisted of a five-pointed star, tipped with trefoils containing a crown of laurel and oak. In the middle, a band of 34 stars represented the number of States in 1862. Minerva, personifying the United States, stands with a left hand resting on fascia and right hand holding a shield blazoned with the United States arms. She repulses Discord, represented by snakes. The pendant was suspended by a trophy of crossed cannons, balls, sword, and an American eagle. The clasp was two cornucopias and the arms of the United States.

The initial law was amended by an Act of Congress on 3 March 1863 to extend its provisions to include officers.

By Floyd Farrar