New Jersey Statutes Title 18A. Education 18A § 73-20.2

a. The Medal of Honor, instituted in 1861 for the Navy and in 1862 for the Army, is awarded by the Congress to members of the United States Armed Forces for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, in action involving actual conflict with an opposing armed force.”

b. Since this great honor was established, only 3,412 such medals have been awarded to deserving members of the armed forces for extremely heroic acts which typically involve suffering severe wounds or death, making this the highest decoration given by the United States Government.

c. Eight men from New Jersey received this outstanding honor for their conspicuous bravery in World War II, the Korean Conflict or the Vietnam Conflict.

d. It is fitting and proper that this State honor these exemplary men and keep alive for future generations of New Jersey residents the story of their heroic bravery.