The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration (Awards and decorations of the United States military) awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed on members of the United States armed forces who distinguish themselves "conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States." Due to the nature of its criteria, it is often awarded posthumously (posthumous recognition).

Members of all branches of the U.S. military (Military of the United States) are eligible to receive the medal, and each service has a unique design with the exception of the Marine Corps and Coast Guard, which both use the Navys medal. The Medal of Honor is often presented personally to the recipient or, in the case of posthumous awards, to next of kin, by the President of the United States. Due to its honored status, the medal is afforded special protection under U.S. law.

The Medal of Honor is one of two military neck order awards issued by the United States, but is the sole neck order awarded to the US armed forces. The other is the Commanders Degree of the Legion of Merit, which is only authorized for issue to foreign dignitaries.

As the award citation includes the phrase "in the name of Congress", it is sometimes erroneously called the Congressional Medal of Honor, however the official title is the Medal of Honor.The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is so named because that is the name it was given in an act of Congress signed into law by President Eisenhower (Dwight D. Eisenhower) on August 5, 1958 as Title 36 (Title 36 of the United States Code), Chapter 33 of the U.S. Code. (See cite web url = title = The Congressional Medal of Honor Societys History work = Official Site publisher = Congressional Medal of Honor Society accessdate = 2006-10-01.) The law authorizing the society has since been transferred to Title 36, Chapter 405 of the U.S. Code.