MCQs on National Medal of Honor Day (March 25)

1. What is National Medal of Honor Day celebrated for? A) To honor Medal of Honor recipients B) To celebrate the founding of the U.S. military C) To recognize veterans D) To commemorate Memorial Day Answer: A) To honor Medal of Honor recipients 2. On which date is National Medal of Honor Day observed? A) February 14 B) March 25 C) June 14 D) September 11 Answer: B) March 25 3. The Medal of Honor is awarded for acts of valor performed during which type of conflict? A) Peacetime service B) Non-combat missions C) Combat operations D) Administrative duties Answer: C) Combat operations 4. Who is authorized to award the Medal of Honor? A) The President of the United States B) The Secretary of Defense C) The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff D) The Congress Answer: A) The President of the United States 5. Which military branch has the highest number of Medal of Honor recipients? A) Army B) Navy C) Air Force D) Marine Corps Answer: A) Army 6. Which U.S. President signed the Medal of Honor Act into law? A) Abraham Lincoln B) Theodore Roosevelt C) Franklin D. Roosevelt D) Dwight D. Eisenhower Answer: A) Abraham Lincoln 7. In which year was the Medal of Honor first authorized? A) 1861 B) 1862 C) 1863 D) 1865 Answer: C) 1863 8. Which war saw the first awards of the Medal of Honor? A) World War I B) The Spanish-American War C) The Civil War D) World War II Answer: C) The Civil War 9. What is the shape of the Medal of Honor? A) Circle B) Star C) Cross D) Shield Answer: B) Star 10. What is the primary criterion for awarding the Medal of Honor? A) Acts of bravery in non-combat situations B) Exceptional service in administrative roles C) Acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty D) Leadership in peacetime operations Answer: C) Acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty 11. Which branch of the military awards the Navy Cross, which is often confused with the Medal of Honor? A) Army B) Navy C) Air Force D) Marine Corps Answer: B) Navy 12. The Medal of Honor is awarded in how many different designs? A) One B) Two C) Three D) Four Answer: B) Two 13. Which Medal of Honor design is awarded to the U.S. Army? A) The Army Medal of Honor B) The Navy Medal of Honor C) The Air Force Medal of Honor D) The Marine Corps Medal of Honor Answer: A) The Army Medal of Honor 14. Which Medal of Honor design is awarded to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps? A) The Army Medal of Honor B) The Navy Medal of Honor C) The Air Force Medal of Honor D) The Coast Guard Medal of Honor Answer: B) The Navy Medal of Honor 15. Which Medal of Honor design is awarded to the U.S. Air Force? A) The Army Medal of Honor B) The Navy Medal of Honor C) The Air Force Medal of Honor D) The Marine Corps Medal of Honor Answer: C) The Air Force Medal of Honor 16. The Medal of Honor is presented by the President of the United States in which location? A) The White House B) The Pentagon C) The Capitol Building D) The Smithsonian Institution Answer: A) The White House 17. What is the reverse side of the Medal of Honor typically inscribed with? A) The recipient’s name B) The date of the award C) The name of the battle D) The recipient’s unit Answer: A) The recipient’s name 18. How many Medal of Honor recipients are alive as of 2024? A) Fewer than 10 B) Fewer than 50 C) Approximately 75 D) Over 100 Answer: A) Fewer than 10 19. Which Medal of Honor recipient was the first African American to receive the award? A) Sergeant William Carney B) Private James Washington C) Lieutenant Colonel Charles Young D) Corporal Freddie Stowers Answer: A) Sergeant William Carney 20. Who was the first woman to be awarded the Medal of Honor? A) There has been no female recipient B) Mary Edwards Walker C) Clara Barton D) Harriet Tubman Answer: B) Mary Edwards Walker 21. Which U.S. President awarded the most Medals of Honor during his administration? A) Abraham Lincoln B) Theodore Roosevelt C) Franklin D. Roosevelt D) Lyndon B. Johnson Answer: A) Abraham Lincoln 22. What is the highest number of Medals of Honor awarded to a single individual? A) One B) Two C) Three D) Four Answer: A) One 23. The Medal of Honor can be awarded to which of the following groups? A) Only U.S. citizens B) Only military personnel C) Both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals D) Only soldiers Answer: C) Both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals 24. Which Medal of Honor recipient was honored for his actions during the Battle of Gettysburg? A) Sergeant William Carney B) Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain C) Private First Class Desmond Doss D) Corporal Tibor Rubin Answer: B) Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain 25. Which Medal of Honor recipient is known for his role in the Vietnam War and is the only conscientious objector to receive the award? A) Desmond Doss B) Audie Murphy C) Smedley Butler D) Roy Benavidez Answer: A) Desmond Doss 26. What was the primary change made to the Medal of Honor in 1904? A) Introduction of the ribbon B) Design modifications C) Addition of a bar D) Changes in eligibility criteria Answer: B) Design modifications 27. Which Medal of Honor recipient was also a renowned actor and war hero? A) Audie Murphy B) Alvin York C) Theodore Roosevelt D) Robert E. Lee Answer: A) Audie Murphy 28. What does the ribbon of the Medal of Honor symbolize? A) Military service B) Valor and bravery C) Loyalty to the country D) Sacrifice in battle Answer: B) Valor and bravery 29. Which famous historical figure is depicted on the Medal of Honor? A) George Washington B) Abraham Lincoln C) Ulysses S. Grant D) Robert E. Lee Answer: B) Abraham Lincoln 30. Which conflict saw the highest number of Medal of Honor awards? A) World War I B) World War II C) The Korean War D) The Vietnam War Answer: B) World War II 31. What type of battle is most likely to result in a Medal of Honor award? A) Naval battle B) Aerial combat C) Ground combat D) Intelligence operations Answer: C) Ground combat 32. Which of the following actions would not typically be eligible for the Medal of Honor? A) Acts of bravery in combat B) Exceptional service in peacetime C) Sacrificing oneself to save others in battle D) Leading troops under fire Answer: B) Exceptional service in peacetime 33. What is the primary purpose of National Medal of Honor Day? A) To raise awareness of military history B) To honor and recognize Medal of Honor recipients C) To celebrate military anniversaries D) To educate the public about military tactics Answer: B) To honor and recognize Medal of Honor recipients 34. Which U.S. military branch had its own version of the Medal of Honor before they were consolidated into one design? A) Navy B) Air Force C) Marine Corps D) Coast Guard Answer: C) Marine Corps 35. Which event led to the establishment of National Medal of Honor Day? A) The Medal of Honor Act of 1861 B) The end of World War II C) The passage of the 1958 National Defense Act D) The signing of the Medal of Honor Act into law Answer: D) The signing of the Medal of Honor Act into law 36. Which Medal of Honor recipient was a notable figure during the Battle of Iwo Jima? A) Hershel Williams B) John Basilone C) Eugene Roe D) Desmond Doss Answer: B) John Basilone 37. The Medal of Honor was originally designed to be awarded in which type of conflict? A) Domestic conflicts B) International conflicts C) Peacekeeping missions D) Military training exercises Answer: B) International conflicts 38. How many stars are featured on the Medal of Honor? A) One B) Three C) Five D) Seven Answer: C) Five 39. Which is the only military decoration higher than the Medal of Honor? A) Navy Cross B) Distinguished Service Cross C) Victoria Cross D) There is no higher decoration Answer: D) There is no higher decoration 40. Which U.S. conflict saw the first African American receive the Medal of Honor? A) World War I B) Civil War C) Vietnam War D) Korean War Answer: B) Civil War 41. What significant change was made to the Medal of Honor eligibility criteria after the Civil War? A) It became available to civilians B) It was restricted to specific military branches C) It was opened up to peacetime acts of valor D) It required Congressional approval for each award Answer: C) It was opened up to peacetime acts of valor 42. Which President established National Medal of Honor Day? A) Franklin D. Roosevelt B) John F. Kennedy C) Ronald Reagan D) Bill Clinton Answer: C) Ronald Reagan 43. What does the blue ribbon of the Medal of Honor represent? A) Valor B) Loyalty C) Sacrifice D) Honor Answer: D) Honor 44. What is the process for nominating a recipient for the Medal of Honor? A) Public petition B) Military unit recommendation C) Congressional recommendation D) Presidential appointment Answer: C) Congressional recommendation 45. What symbol is at the center of the Medal of Honor? A) A dove B) A lion C) A star D) An eagle Answer: C) A star 46. The Medal of Honor is recognized in how many different designs? A) One B) Two C) Three D) Four Answer: B) Two 47. Who was the first Hispanic American to receive the Medal of Honor? A) Private First Class Joe Pino B) Sergeant Major Daniel Fernandez C) Corporal John Rodriguez D) Lieutenant Colonel Manuel Garcia Answer: A) Private First Class Joe Pino 48. Which U.S. war saw the most Medals of Honor awarded to recipients who were also African American? A) World War I B) World War II C) The Vietnam War D) The Civil War Answer: D) The Civil War 49. How are living Medal of Honor recipients typically recognized? A) Through public ceremonies B) Through private awards C) Through letters of commendation D) Through special tax benefits Answer: A) Through public ceremonies 50. The Medal of Honor has been awarded for actions taken in which of the following situations? A) War B) Peacekeeping missions C) Humanitarian efforts D) All of the above Answer: D) All of the above 51. Which Medal of Honor recipient was posthumously awarded for his bravery during the Korean War? A) Corporal Emil Kapaun B) Sergeant First Class George G. McGowan C) Lieutenant Colonel John T. Haller D) Private First Class John W. McKinney Answer: A) Corporal Emil Kapaun 52. What is the significance of the Medal of Honor Day celebrations? A) To promote military enlistment B) To remember the fallen C) To honor living and deceased recipients D) To discuss military strategies Answer: C) To honor living and deceased recipients 53. The Medal of Honor is awarded for which of the following actions? A) Routine military service B) Acts of valor beyond the call of duty C) Participation in military parades D) Completion of military training Answer: B) Acts of valor beyond the call of duty 54. Which organization primarily handles the records of Medal of Honor recipients? A) The Department of Defense B) The National Archives C) The Veterans Affairs Office D) The Medal of Honor Society Answer: D) The Medal of Honor Society 55. What is the unique feature of the Medal of Honor’s ribbon? A) It changes color based on the recipient’s rank B) It has a unique design for each branch of service C) It includes a star for each award received D) It is the only military ribbon with a blue background Answer: D) It is the only military ribbon with a blue background 56. Who was the first Asian American to receive the Medal of Honor? A) Colonel Young B) Private First Class Fred Shuttlesworth C) Private First Class William H. Choe D) Corporal Mitsuo Fuchida Answer: A) Colonel Young 57. What is the current limit on the number of living Medal of Honor recipients at any one time? A) No limit B) 10 C) 25 D) 100 Answer: A) No limit 58. How many times has the Medal of Honor been awarded for actions in Iraq and Afghanistan? A) Fewer than 10 B) Between 20 and 30 C) Over 50 D) Over 100 Answer: C) Over 50 59. Which famous actor portrayed a Medal of Honor recipient in a well-known film? A) Tom Hanks B) Clint Eastwood C) John Wayne D) Audie Murphy Answer: D) Audie Murphy 60. The Medal of Honor is primarily a symbol of which value? A) Duty B) Honor C) Loyalty D) Courage Answer: B) Honor 61. The process for awarding the Medal of Honor includes which step? A) A public vote B) Congressional approval C) Military committee review D) Presidential signing Answer: B) Congressional approval 62. Which Medal of Honor recipient was known for his actions at the Battle of the Bulge? A) Audie Murphy B) John Basilone C) Daniel Inouye D) William W. Chappell Answer: A) Audie Murphy 63. Which historic event led to a resurgence in the recognition of Medal of Honor recipients in recent years? A) The Vietnam War B) The Gulf War C) The September 11 attacks D) The Cold War Answer: C) The September 11 attacks 64. How are Medal of Honor recipients often honored in their communities? A) Public ceremonies and parades B) Private awards C) Special parking privileges D) Discounts at stores Answer: A) Public ceremonies and parades 65. Which U.S. President awarded the Medal of Honor to over 900 individuals during World War II? A) Franklin D. Roosevelt B) Harry S. Truman C) Dwight D. Eisenhower D) John F. Kennedy Answer: A) Franklin D. Roosevelt 66. What is the main focus of National Medal of Honor Day celebrations? A) Promoting military enlistment B) Recognizing the sacrifices of veterans C) Honoring the heroism of Medal of Honor recipients D) Discussing military history Answer: C) Honoring the heroism of Medal of Honor recipients 67. Who was the first living Medal of Honor recipient to be awarded the medal since Vietnam? A) Colonel John A. O’Neill B) Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta C) Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry D) Captain Florent Groberg Answer: B) Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta 68. The Medal of Honor is commonly presented during which type of event? A) Military funerals B) National holidays C) State of the Union addresses D) Public ceremonies Answer: D) Public ceremonies 69. What do many Medal of Honor recipients have in common? A) They are all veterans of the same war B) They all performed selfless acts of bravery C) They all served in the same branch of the military D) They were all born in the same state Answer: B) They all performed selfless acts of bravery 70. The design of the Medal of Honor is often compared to which other military decoration? A) The Navy Cross B) The Distinguished Service Medal C) The Victoria Cross D) The Silver Star Answer: C) The Victoria Cross 71. Who typically presents the Medal of Honor during ceremonies? A) Members of Congress B) Military generals C) The President of the United States D) Governors of states Answer: C) The President of the United States 72. The history of the Medal of Honor can be traced back to which year? A) 1775 B) 1861 C) 1865 D) 1898 Answer: B) 1861 73. How many total Medals of Honor have been awarded since its inception? A) Approximately 1,500 B) Approximately 2,500 C) Approximately 3,500 D) Approximately 4,500 Answer: B) Approximately 3,500 74. Which branch of the military has the fewest Medal of Honor recipients? A) Army B) Navy C) Air Force D) Coast Guard Answer: D) Coast Guard 75. The Medal of Honor is often displayed with what accompanying items? A) A flag B) A certificate of award C) A service record D) A family photo Answer: B) A certificate of award 76. What do the colors of the Medal of Honor represent? A) Red for courage, white for valor, blue for loyalty B) Red for valor, white for purity, blue for loyalty C) Red for sacrifice, white for peace, blue for trust D) Red for bravery, white for honor, blue for duty Answer: B) Red for valor, white for purity, blue for loyalty 77. Who was the first woman to receive the Medal of Honor? A) Mary Edwards Walker B) Margaret Corbin C) Anna M. McGowan D) Helen Benedict Answer: A) Mary Edwards Walker 78. What is the only military honor that is typically awarded for both combat and non-combat actions? A) Distinguished Service Medal B) Silver Star C) Medal of Honor D) Purple Heart Answer: C) Medal of Honor 79. In what year did the U.S. military first award the Medal of Honor? A) 1850 B) 1861 C) 1863 D) 1865 Answer: B) 1861 80. The Medal of Honor has been awarded to how many foreign nationals? A) 25 B) 50 C) 75 D) Over 100 Answer: D) Over 100