Irish Courage Beyond the Normal

30.08.2019

In the military services of the United States, the Medal of Honor is the highest decoration a serviceman can receive. The award was created during the Civil War (1861-1865), and is only awarded, to quote, “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, in actual combat against an armed enemy force.” Of the 3,464 medals awarded up to 2009, 2,201 were to Irish-American soldiers, sailors and airmen, more than twice the number to any other ethnic group. Of those Irish-Americans, 257 were born in Ireland.