Five pairs of brothers have received the Medal of Honor: Johnand William Black, in the American Civil War. The Blacks are the first brothers to be so honored. Charlesand Henry Capehart, in the American Civil War, the latter for saving a drowning man while under fire. Antoineand Julien Gaujot. The
Medal of Honor Recipients by Military Branch; DOD Service Branches Recipients; Army: 2404: Navy: 746: Marine Corps: 297: Air Force: 17: Coast Guard: 1 Medals Awarded: 3465 Medals Of the 40 million Americans who have served in the Armed Forces since the Civil War, only 3,517 have earned the Medal of Honor. BESTOWED With Distinction The only military decoration worn around the neck, the Medal of Honor has evolved since its founding in 1861. First authorized in 1861, in the 159 years since, 3,525 Medals of Honor have been bestowed upon American servicemen. The citations for the awards read as a "Who's Who" of some of the bravest, most selfless, and at times, most sacrificial young men in America's history. From Dec. 7, 1941 to V-J Day on Sept. 2, 1945, the Medal of Honor was awarded to a total of 434 recipients, 244 of whom received the Medal of Honor posthumously. The U.S. Army had 259 recipients, the U.S. Marine Corps had 81 recipients, the U.S. Navy had 57 recipients, the U.S. Army Air Force had 37 recipients and the U.S. Coast Guard had one qtiwg.