2012 National Medal of Honor Day

On March 23, 2012, in recognition of National Medal of Honor Day (March 25), Medal of Honor recipients once again chose to thank America for raising sons and daughters who have within them the same attributes of courage and selflessness as they demonstrated in combat and for which they received the Medal of Honor. In addition to laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery to honor all of the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country in the cause of freedom, they bestowed Citizen Honors – Citizen Service Before Self Honors – on three ordinary citizens who have demonstrated extraordinary courage and selflessness on behalf of their fellow man in their daily lives. In addition to the Citizen Honors awards, the American Spirit award was presented to an outstanding Boy Scout who demonstrated extraordinary leadership and courage in extraordinary circumstances.

Medal of Honor Recipients attend wreath laying ceremony in honor of National Medal of Honor Day.

Medal of Honor Recipients with Citizen Honorees at the Tomb of the Unknowns

L-R: MoH Recipient Ken Stumpf, Citizen Honoree Montell Mixon, MoH Recipient Hal Fritz

Montell Mixon of Saint Paul, Minn. accepts the Citizen Service Before Self Honor for valiantly rescuing a woman from her burning home after she had been locked in the bathroom by her boyfriend who had set the house on fire on Aug. 16, 2011.

Brandon Wemhoff of Lincoln, Neb. accepts the Citizen Service Before Self Honor for heroically risking his own life in an attempt to protect the people around him by foiling a robbery on May 29, 2011.

L-R: MoH Recipient Brian Thacker, Citizen Honoree Brandon Wemhoff, MoH Recipient Hal Fritz

L-R: MoH Recipient Hershel "Woody" Williams, Citizen Honoree James McCormick, MoH Recipient Hal Fritz

James McCormick of New Haven, W.Va. accepts the Ciziten Service Before Self Honor for a series of acts; for selflessly helping hundreds of homeless veterans find jobs and housing through his non-profit, Raising Cane Farms.

Spencer Zimmerman was recognized for his commitment to serving others with the American Spirit Award. Zimmerman was honored for inviting Dayton Hayward, a friend with cerebral palsy, to join him in completing a triathlon. To help his friend achieve the impossible, Zimmerman pulled, pushed, and carried his friend through a 500-meter swim, 3.2-mile run, and 12-mile bike ride. Both boys faced intense physical tests in completing the race.

L-R: MoH Recipient Joe Marm, American Spirit Award Honoree Spencer Zimmerman, MoH Recipient Hal Fritz.
Citizen Service Before Self Honors is registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.