President Abraham Lincoln signs into law a measure calling for the awarding of a U.S. Army Medal of Honor, in the name of Congress, "to such noncommissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldier-like qualities during the present insurrection." The previous December, Lincoln had approved a provision creating a U.S. Navy Medal of Valor, which was the basis of the Army Medal of Honor created by Congress in July 1862. The first U.S. Army soldiers to receive what would become the nation's highest military honor were six members of a Union raiding party who in 1862 penetrated deep into Confederate territory to destroy bridges and railroad tracks between Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia.

Interesting...were commissioned officers eligible?

Yes they were they changed that pretty fast like less than a year later.

The Medal of Honor was awarded to 120 recipients during the siege at Vicksburg alone! Included one to a 14 year old drummer boy; and 78 to the men of the "Forlorn Hope" that attacked the Stockade Redan on 22 May 1863.

Vicksburg Medal of Honor Recipients

Different times for sure.

"Capture the Flag" medal in the ACW. All you had to do was pick one up.

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"Capture the Flag" medal in the ACW. All you had to do was pick one up.

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Yeah, I noticed that going through the CMH list.