Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

The Medal of Honor was instituted in 1861 and is awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action involving actual with opposing armed forces. It is the highest military honor awarded in the United States. This medal was awarded to Floyd Bennett for participating with Richard Byrd on first flight over the North Pole on May 9, 1926.

Citation: For distinguishing himself conspicuously by courage and intrepidity at the risk of his life as a member of the Byrd Arctic Expedition and thus contributing largely to the success of the first heavier-than-air flight to the North Pole and return.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type AWARDS-Medals & Ribbons Physical Description United States Navy Medal of Honor; gold medal cross; Obverse: anchor in each arm of cross, eagle in center disk, embossed text "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1917-1918; Reverse: inscription Awarded to Machinist Floyd Bennett USN for Flight over the North Pole May 9, 1926"; light blue silk ribbon with white stars; gold ribbon bar with embossed text "VALOUR". Dimensions 3-D: 8.4 × 3.5 × 0.6cm (3 5/16 × 1 3/8 × 1/4 in.)
 Materials Natural Fabric
Gold Alloy
 Inventory Number A19630333000 Credit Line Donated by Mrs. Cora Bennett Hoffman Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.