The Medal of Honor stands as the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It recognizes gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Many people recognize the modern prestige of this award, but fewer know the dramatic story of its origins.
During the American Civil War, the United States government realized it needed a way to formally recognize the extraordinary sacrifices made by its soldiers. The conflict was tearing the nation apart, and tales of exceptional bravery were emerging from the battlefields. This led to the creation of a new military decoration designed specifically to honor those who went far beyond the standard expectations of duty.
The very first recipients of this prestigious award were not generals or famous politicians. They were a small group of Union soldiers who volunteered for a highly dangerous, nearly suicidal covert mission deep inside Confederate territory. Their actions during what became known as the Great Locomotive Chase set the standard for American military valor and cemented their names in history.
The Creation of the Medal of Honor
Before the Civil War, the United States military did not have a tradition of awarding medals for individual gallantry. George Washington had created the Badge of Military Merit during the Revolutionary War, but that award had largely fallen into disuse. As the Civil War escalated, political and military leaders recognized the need to boost morale and reward outstanding heroism.
The legislation establishing the new award was officially signed into law on July 12, 1862. It authorized the President to present the medal in the name of Congress to non-commissioned officers and privates who distinguished themselves by their gallantry in action.
This new decoration gave the military a way to highlight acts of supreme bravery. It also set a precedent for future generations of service members. The standards for receiving the award were incredibly high from the very beginning, ensuring that only the most daring and selfless acts would be recognized.
The Great Locomotive Chase
The story of the first Medals of Honor is entirely tied to a daring raid known as the Great Locomotive Chase. In April 1862, a civilian scout named James J. Andrews led a group of Union volunteers on a secret mission. Their goal was to infiltrate Confederate territory in Georgia, hijack a train, and drive it north toward Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Along the way, the raiders planned to destroy railroad tracks, burn bridges, and cut telegraph wires. This would sever the vital supply lines connecting the Confederate army in Chattanooga to the city of Atlanta. The Union soldiers, wearing civilian clothes to avoid detection, successfully boarded a passenger train pulled by a locomotive named The General. While the passengers and crew stopped for breakfast, Andrews and his men uncoupled the passenger cars, commandeered the engine, and sped off.
What followed was a frantic, high-speed pursuit. Confederate conductors and soldiers chased the stolen locomotive on foot, by handcar, and eventually using other locomotives. The Union raiders managed to cut telegraph lines and damage some tracks, but the relentless pursuit prevented them from doing significant damage to the bridges. Eventually, The General ran out of fuel, and the raiders were forced to scatter into the surrounding woods.
The First Soldiers to Earn the Award
Following the chase, all the raiders were captured by Confederate forces. Because they had operated in civilian clothing rather than military uniforms, they were treated as spies rather than standard prisoners of war. James J. Andrews and seven of his men were tried and executed. The remaining raiders were held in Confederate prisons, enduring harsh conditions before a handful managed to escape and the rest were later exchanged.
When the surviving members of the raiding party were finally returned to Union lines, their incredible bravery was brought to the attention of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Recognizing their profound sacrifice and daring execution of the mission, Stanton decided to honor them with the newly created military decoration.
A group of the surviving raiders met with Secretary Stanton and President Abraham Lincoln. During this meeting, they were presented with the very first Medals of Honor. According to the U.S. Army’s official historical records, “All six were awarded the Medal of Honor — the first Soldiers in U.S. Army history to earn the award.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Medal of Honor authorized?
The Medal of Honor was authorized during the American Civil War. The legislation creating the award was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on July 12, 1862.
Who were the Andrews’ Raiders?
Andrews’ Raiders were a group of Union soldiers and two civilians led by James J. Andrews. They volunteered for a covert mission to steal a Confederate train and destroy vital railway supply lines in Georgia.
Why did the raiders receive the medal?
The surviving military members of the raiding party received the medal for their exceptional bravery behind enemy lines. They risked execution as spies to carry out a mission designed to severely weaken the Confederate war effort.
Honoring a Legacy of Valor
The Great Locomotive Chase remains one of the most thrilling and tragic episodes of the American Civil War. The men who volunteered for that mission knew the extreme risks, yet they pushed forward to disrupt the enemy’s supply lines and aid the Union cause. Their actions established a benchmark for the countless service members who would later receive the nation’s highest military decoration.
Understanding the origins of the Medal of Honor gives us a deeper appreciation for the weight it carries today. To read more about the Great Locomotive Chase and explore the official historical records of the Andrews’ Raiders, visit the U.S. Army’s official history website and search their Medal of Honor archives.
Verified References
1. U.S. Army (official source)
- The Medal of Honor was created during the Civil War (authorized in 1862), and
- The first recipients were Union soldiers involved in the Great Locomotive Chase (Andrews’ Raiders).
“All six were awarded the Medal of Honor — the first Soldiers in U.S. Army history to earn the award.”
The award itself “signed into law… July 12, 1862” during the Civil War.
2. U.S. Army University Press (scholarly military publication)
- Confirms both the timing and the specific event:
“Secretary of War Edwin Stanton presented the first Medal of Honor on 25 March 1863 to the surviving members of Andrews’ Raiders whose mission… [was] the Great Locomotive Chase.”
3. U.S. National Cemetery Administration (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Reinforces that the first Medals of Honor were tied to this specific Civil War raid:
“6 of them were the very first to receive the Medal of Honor on March 25, 1863” for the Great Locomotive Chase.
4. Historical summary (corroborating detail)
- Identifies the first individual recipient and confirms the same event:
Private Jacob Parrott “was awarded the first” Medal of Honor among the raiders.