The celebration will include a documentary film, which will explain the origins of the Medal of Honor, and it’s inception during the American Civil War. A special display on the Medal of Honor will illustrate the evolution of this medal and the changes in it’s requirements over time.

Additionally, a special Breakthrough Battlefield tour will be held at the Park’s Battlefield Center. There, visitors will begin the tour by seeing artifacts from two Medal of Honor recipients, Captain Charles Gould of the 5th Vermont Infantry and Sergeant John Ezra Buffington, 6th Maryland Infantry. Buffington’s own Medal of Honor is among the artifacts to be viewed. Tour attendees will then tour the Breakthrough Battlefield with the Park’s Senior Interpretive Ranger, Jim Partain who will share the stories of both men at the actual citation locations along with other Petersburg Campaign Medal of Honor recipients.

The Medal of Honor is the United States’ highest award for military valor in action. In over 150 years since it’s inception, the Medal of Honor has been awarded to just 3,535 and only 65 are living recipients today. The standards to award the Medal itself have changed since the Civil War and, over time the design has also changed several times. Although some changes have taken place over the years, the Medal has always embraced the values of bravery, courage, sacrifice and integrity.