A Brief History of the Medal of Honor

According to the U.S. Army Center of Military History, the Medal of Honor has a life story, too. This first formal system for rewarding acts of individual courage by the nation’s fighting forces was established by General George Washington on August 7, 1782.

It was later signed into law during the Civil War.

MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION FOR WILLIAM SHEMIN

The President of the United States of America, autho- rized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to Ser- geant William Shemin, United States Army.

Sergeant William Shemin distinguished himself by extraordinary acts of heroism at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a shooter with G Company, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy on the Vesle River, near Bazoches, France from August 7th to August 9th, 1918.

Sergeant Shemin upon three different occasions left cover and crossed an open space of 150 yards, re- peatedly exposing himself to heavy machine gun and rifle fire to rescue wounded. After officers and senior noncommissioned officers had become casualties, Sergeant Shemin took command of the platoon and displayed great initiative under fire until wounded on August 9th. Sergeant Shemin’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself with G Company, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and the United States Army.