On March 25th of each year, Minnesota and the nation observes Medal of Honor Day.  On a national level it wasn’t until March 25, 1991, when Congress declared as a day to “foster public appreciation and recognition of Medal of Honor recipients.” The date of March 25th is the anniversary of the first presentations of a Medal of Honor during the Civil War in 1863. 

In 2009, the Minnesota House passed HF433 / SF236, which designated March 25 as Medal of Honor Day. Sponsored by Rep. Mike Obermueller (DFL-Eagan) and Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL-Eagan), the bill honors Minnesotans who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor, which was first presented on that date in 1863. The bill passed unanimously in the House and Senate. It was signed into law by Governor Tim Pawlenty that year.

At this time there are no living Medal of Honor recipients from the State of Minnesota.

Governor Walz 2021 Proclamation for Minnesota Medal of Honor Day

WHEREAS: The United States Congress has designated March 25 each year as National Medal of Honor Day, the day the first Medal of Honor was presented in 1862; and

WHEREAS: Since the Civil War, brave individuals from the State of Minnesota have answered the call to defend and protect the freedoms we hold dear, and several have gone beyond this call to duty, risking injury and loss of life to distinguish themselves as heroes; and

WHEREAS: The Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military award for valor in action against an enemy force, has been awarded to more than 3,400 service members, and 55 of these heroes are associated with the State of Minnesota; and

WHEREAS: This distinguished group includes Capt. Charles Lindbergh for display of courage during his 1927 nonstop flight from New York to Paris in the Spirit of St. Louis, Capt. Richard Fleming for extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty during the Battle of Midway in 1942, Michael Colalillo for bravery during World War II, and Leo Thorsness for heroism and self–sacrifice during the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS: The people of the State of Minnesota are forever grateful for the brave service members who have received this prestigious honor and to all service members who have served and continue to serve.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TIM WALZ, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim Thursday, March 25, 2021, as: MINNESOTA MEDAL OF HONOR DAY in the State of Minnesota.

Congressional Medal of Honor Society Announces 2021 Citizen Honors Awards

On National Medal of Honor Day, The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announces the 2021 Citizen Honors Award Honorees.  It is a group of outstanding Americans who have gone above and beyond to perform extraordinary acts of courage or service.

Included in the 2021 Single Act of Heroism Award category is:

RAINA NEELAND (Posthumous) of Bagley, MN, was selected for her courageous act when she rescued three young cousins after they were swept over the Clearwater Dam at Clearwater Lake. She succumbed to the currents.

A complete list of honorees can be found at https://www.cmohs.org/news-events/press-releases/2021-citizen-honors/

For more information on the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and to view information about the recipients, visit the Congressional Medal of Honor Society at cmohs.org.  For more information about the National Medal of Honor Day visit March 25: National Medal of Honor Day.

Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial

Progress is being made to construct a memorial dedicated to building a new Medal of Honor Memorial at the Minnesota State Capitol. It is reported that all funds have been raised and construction bids are out. They plan to break ground this spring and be done in October 2021. The memorial will be directly under the Veterans Services building at the front entrance of the capital mall.

More details at https://www.minnesotamedalofhonormemorial.org/