Amazing facts about the Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the most prestigious award and highest honor that the United States military has to offer. Despite its prestige, however, there's much that people don't know about this coveted decoration.

For example, contrary to popular belief, it is not called the Congressional Medal of Honor. It's official name is simply Medal of Honor... this common confusion most likely sprouting from the fact that the award is always given by the President of the United States, "in the name of Congress."

Medal of Honor: Amazing facts

There are three different versions of the Medal of Honor: one for the Army, one for the Navy, and one for the Air Force.

A separate Coast Guard version has also been authorized, but it has yet to actually be awarded to anyone. In the meantime, personnel from the Coast Guard and Marine Corps receive the Navy version of the prestigious decoration.

Here, the three current versions of the Medal of Honor are pictured from left to right: Army, Air Force, Navy.

Medal of Honor: Amazing facts

There is only woman, who has ever been awarded the Medal of Honor: Mary Edwards Walker.

Walker served as a Union Army surgeon, during the Civil War. She received the Medal of Honor in 1865 for her exemplary service in field hospitals, during the First Battle of Bull Run (July 21, 1861) and a series of other battles over the next three years.

Here, a Civil War re-enactor has blood sprayed in her face, while portraying Dr. Walker and "amputating" an arm, July 8, 2006.

Medal of Honor: Amazing facts

There is also only one U.S. President, who has ever been awarded the Medal of Honor: Teddy Roosevelt, for his service as a Rough Rider.

When the Spanish-American War broke out, Roosevelt quit his job as Secretary of the Navy to lead a volunteer regiment, know as the Rough Riders. He then played a pivotal role in the Battles of San Juan Hill and a series of other confrontations in Cuba. Accordingly, President Clinton posthumously honored him with the award in 2001.

Here, Colonel Theodore Roosevelt is pictured, during his time as a Rough Rider in 1898.

Medal of Honor: Amazing facts

3,492 different people have been awarded the Medal of Honor.

And, astoundingly, 19 men have been awarded the honor twice.

Fourteen of these double recipients received two separate Medals of Honor for two separate acts of valor. The remaining five double winners received both the Army and Navy Medals of Honor for the same act.

Medal of Honor: Amazing facts

The youngest ever recipient of the Medal of Honor earned the award at age 11 and received it at age 13. His name was Willie Johnston.

Johnston enlisted in the Union Army alongside his father, in June 1861, as a drummer boy. A year later, their unit -- the 3rd Vermont Infantry -- was overpowered by Confederate Forces and forced to retreat down the Virginia Peninsula.

During this famous "Seven Days Retreat," the soldiers and other drummers in Willie's unit shed their weapons and instruments, in an effort to flee faster. Willie, however, held onto his drum and was later asked to play for the entire division on July 4th... an exemplary act, which led President Lincoln to recommend him for the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor: Amazing facts

While four men have been awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for their service in Iraq; as of November 2015, no living Iraq vets have been honored with the prestigious award. As such, this issue is a point of contention among many service members and lawmakers.

Medal of Honor: Amazing facts

Jacklyn "Jack" Lucas, is the youngest Marine to have ever received the Medal of Honor. He is also the youngest person to have received the honor in the 20th Century.

Lucas lied his way into the armed forces, during World War II, at the age of just 14. Then, at 17, he shielded several of his fellow soldiers from enemy grenades, during Iwo Jima; absorbing the full blast with his own body.

Medal of Honor: Amazing facts

It is illegal to wear someone else's Medal of Honor.

Here, retired Marine Cpl. William 'Kyle' Carpenter receives the Medal of Honor for taking a grenade blast to protect fellow Marines.

If anyone else were to wear this medal, they'd be in big trouble with the government.

Medal of Honor: Amazing facts

Interestingly, though, it is no longer illegal to pretend you have one.

In 2006, President George W. Bush attempted to make it illegal by signing the Stolen Valor Act into law. This act imposed a prison sentence of up to one year on anyone, falsely claiming to have received a Medal of Honor.

However, the Supreme Court later struck this act down in 2012, ruling that it violated the First Amendment right to free speech.

Medal of Honor: Amazing facts

There are two father-son pairs that have won the Medal of Honor.

Arthur MacArthur, Jr. and his son, General Douglas MacArthur (seen here, inspecting the wreckage of a hospital during World War II) were the first father and son to both be awarded Medals of Honor.

The only other such pairing was President Teddy Roosevelt and his son, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., who led the first wave of troops onto Utah Beach during the Normandy Landings of World War II.

Medal of Honor: Amazing facts

There are also five pairs of brothers that have been awarded the Medal of Honor. The first of these pairs was John and William Black, who both won the decoration for their exemplary service in the American Civil War. Brothers Charles and Henry Capehart also received the award for courageous actions during the American Civil War.

Brothers Harry and Willard Miller received the honor for the same naval action, during the Spanish-American War. Brothers Allen and James Thompson received the award for the same action, during the American Civil War.

Lastly, brothers Antoine and Julien Gaujot have the unique distinction of receiving their medals for actions in separate conflicts; Antoine for the Philippine-American War, Julien for crossing the border to rescue both Mexicans and Americans, during the Mexican Revolution.

Medal of Honor: Amazing facts

In 1993, the U.S. Army commissioned a study to investigate possible racial discrimination in the awarding of the Medal of Honor.

After an exhaustive review of military files, a group of Distinguished Service Cross recipients were upgraded to the higher honor.

Here, President Obama awards the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Melvin Morris for his actions in the Vietnam War, March 18, 2014. Morris is among a group of Medal of Honor recipients, who were previously denied the prestigious decoration for their service during the Vietnam War and World War II, due to their Hispanic, black or Jewish backgrounds.

Medal of Honor: Amazing facts

In 1998, a similar study was commissioned to investigate possible discrimination against Asian Americans in the awarding of military decorations.

It resulted in President Clinton awarding 22 Asian-American World War II heroes the country's highest medal for valor in 2000. Twenty of these medals went to American soldiers of Japanese descent, who served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in the European Theater. One went to Senator Daniel Inouye, a former U.S. Army Infantry officer in the 442nd RCT.

Here, President Clinton congratulates Senator Inouye, D-HI, after awarding him the Medal of Honor, June 21, 2000.

Medal of Honor: Amazing facts

More than half of all Medals of Honor have been awarded posthumously; a testament to the danger of the courageous sort of "beyond the call of duty" acts, which merit the honor in the first place.

Here, Maureen Murph holds the Medal of Honor that was presented to her by U.S. President George W. Bush, after her son, Lt. Michael Murphy, was posthumously honored during a ceremony at the White House, October 22, 2007. Murphy, a Navy Seal, was the first soldier to be awarded the Medal of Honor for combat in Afghanistan.

Medal of Honor: Amazing facts

When you get a Medal of Honor, you earn a lifetime of special benefits and privileges.

For example, your kids are eligible for admission to United States military academies, without having to secure nominations or meet quota requirements.

Also, if you were not previously eligible for burial in Arlington Cemetery, you are now.

Medal of Honor: Amazing facts

Medal of Honor recipients also receive invitations to all future presidential inaugurations and inaugural balls.

Medal of Honor: Amazing facts

As of 2002, in addition to the actual medal, all Medal of Honor recipients also get a special Medal of Honor Flag.

Here, former active duty Army Staff Sergeant, Ryan M. Pitts, stands next to his, after being awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry at the White House, July 21, 2014.

Medal of Honor: Amazing facts

Now America's most prestigious military decoration, the concept of the Medal of Honor was initially dismissed as too European.

George Washington established the Badge of Military Merit (America's first military decoration), during the American Revolution. However, when it fell into disuse afterward, soldiers petitioned Union Army General Winfield Scott to create a new award for exemplary service, during the Civil War. Scott scoffed at their request, arguing that it smacked of European tradition.

Here, Lance Corporal Joshua Leakey holds his Victoria Cross, after it was awarded to him by the Queen at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, on April 14, 2015... proving that General Scott wasn't entirely wrong about the European roots of military accolades.