# Congressional Medal of Honor for Tony Blair? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 22, 2004, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986 "2004-08-22T17:31:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/1 "2004-08-22T17:31:19Z")
I thought this was a Really Serious Medal given (often posthumously) for wartime service. Is this also an “honorary” medal as well? [Blair snubs Bush’s war honour invite](http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/news/tm_objectid=14558467&method=full&siteid=106694&headline=don-t-medal-name_page.html) [From the CGMoH page](http://www.cmohs.org/medal.htm) > [@](#): > > The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress, it is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor. I know defending the Iraq War in Parliment was tough, but… ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/2 "2004-08-22T17:41:41Z")
> [@astro](#): > > I thought this was a Really Serious Medal given (often posthumously) for wartime service. Is this also an “honorary” medal as well? > > [Blair snubs Bush’s war honour invite](http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/news/tm_objectid=14558467&method=full&siteid=106694&headline=don-t-medal-name_page.html) > > [From the CGMoH page](http://www.cmohs.org/medal.htm) > > I know defending the Iraq War in Parliment was tough, but… Hey, “They also serve …” who send others into combat on behalf of a Brother in Christ. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/3 "2004-08-22T17:41:54Z")
Yes, the CMOH is only for US forces. Shocking that a Mirror story using unnamed sources should be inaccurate. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/4 "2004-08-22T17:41:56Z")
From **Astro’s** link > [@](#): > > 1. Is it required to be a U.S. citizen in order to be awarded the Medal of Honor? > > 5A. It is not required to be a U.S. citizen, but you must be in the U.S. military in order to qualify for the Medal of Honor. If the article is true (note that it quotes an anonymous source), then it looks like Teflon Tony is secretly a member the US military. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/5 "2004-08-22T17:51:10Z")
Also: > [@](#): > > 1. What are the guidelines for which the medal could be awarded? > 10A. On July 25,1963 Congress established a set of guidelines under which the Medal of Honor could be awarded: > a.) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; > b.) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or, > c.) while serving with friendly forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. Looks like the story was just pulled out of the unamed source’s butt. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/6 "2004-08-22T17:51:14Z")
From the first link in the OP: > [@](#): > > Mr Blair has been dodging the Congressional Medal since it was awarded a year ago. “Awarded a year ago”? Even given Republican majorities in both houses, the notion that Blair could have been awarded the Medal of Honor for valor over a year ago (and then just not happen to come by to pick it up) without _someone_ in Congress or the news media happening to mention it is preposterous. This story is pure invention. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/7 "2004-08-22T17:58:40Z")
A year ago Blair received the Congressional Gold Medal, not the Medal of Honor which is the US’ highest honor for bravery on the battlefield by US military. [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,92258,00.html](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,92258,00.html) “Blair received several rounds of applause and earned hearty laughter when he expressed some mixed emotions about receiving the Congressional Gold Medal (search). He said the first winner of the medal was George Washington, who won it for defeating the British.” ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/8 "2004-08-22T17:59:53Z")
Well, in googling further I found this so apparently it’s for real, and not just for miltary service [Does Tony Blair Deserve a Congressional Medal?](http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul106.html) > [@](#): > > I sense that this current proposal is different, however. No one is claiming that British Prime Minister Tony Blair has given a lifetime of humanitarian service like Mother Theresa, or demonstrated the historical leadership of a Ronald Reagan. No one suggests the British Prime Minister, leading the avowedly socialist Labour Party, has embraced American values such as freedom and limited government, as Margaret Thatcher attempted before him. No, Tony Blair is being given this medal for one reason: he provided political support when international allies were sought for America’s attack on Iraq. Does this overtly political justification not cheapen both the medal itself and the achievements of those who have been awarded it previously? > > I find it particularly unfortunate that the Republican-controlled Congress would nominate Tony Blair to receive this award. His political party is socialist: Britain under Blair has a system of socialized medicine and government intervention in all aspects of the commercial and personal lives of its citizens. Socialism is an enemy of freedom and liberty – as the 20th century taught us so well. It is the philosophical basis for a century of mass-murder and impoverishment. > > In May, a British television poll found that Prime Minister Blair is the most unpopular man in Great Britain. A brief look at his rule leaves little question why this is so. He has eroded Britain’s constitutional base – recently abolishing the ancient position of Lord Chancellor without any debate. He has overseen a huge expansion of government, with the creation of costly “assemblies” in Wales and Scotland. He also has overseen changes in Britain’s voting system that many believe open the door to widespread voting fraud. In short, he is no Margaret Thatcher and certainly no Winston Churchill. Yet today Congress is voting to give him its highest honor ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/9 "2004-08-22T18:02:29Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > A year ago Blair received the Congressional Gold Medal, not the Medal of Honor which is the US’ highest honor for bravery on the battlefield by US military. > > [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,92258,00.html](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,92258,00.html) > > “Blair received several rounds of applause and earned hearty laughter when he expressed some mixed emotions about receiving the Congressional Gold Medal (search). He said the first winner of the medal was George Washington, who won it for defeating the British.” Ah thanks! My last cite refers to “a medal” not the CMoH. Mystery solved! ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/10 "2004-08-22T18:17:28Z")
I know nothing about this Ron Paul who is quoted in the link that astro gives, but given his confusion in this quote, I wouldn’t trust anything he says. Blair has been anything but socialist in his term as Prime Minister. Furthermore, Paul gives the fact that Blair is unpopular as being one of the reasons why he shouldn’t get the medal. The main reason that Blair is unpopular is that he pushed so hard to get the U.K. to support the war in Iraq. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/11 "2004-08-22T18:17:47Z")
[The Congessional Gold Medal](http://www.medalofhonor.com/CongressionalGoldMedal.htm) ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/12 "2004-08-22T20:06:40Z")
Not really asked in the OP, but I thought this worth mentioning. Seventy per cent of the **Congressional Medals of Honor** are presented posthumously. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/13 "2004-08-22T21:06:42Z")
> [@Wendell Wagner](#): > > I know nothing about this Ron Paul who is quoted in the link that astro gives, but given his confusion in this quote, I wouldn’t trust anything he says. Blair has been anything but socialist in his term as Prime Minister. Furthermore, Paul gives the fact that Blair is unpopular as being one of the reasons why he shouldn’t get the medal. The main reason that Blair is unpopular is that he pushed so hard to get the U.K. to support the war in Iraq. Ron Paul is a long-time member of Congress from Texas. He was the Libertarian candidate for President in 1988, and he’s notorious for voting against more or less every piece of legislation attached to an appropriation. To him, everyone’s a socialist. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/14 "2004-08-22T21:10:08Z")
Discard my second comment; I forgot where I was. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/15 "2004-08-22T21:44:43Z")
> [@wolf\_meister](#): > > Not really asked in the OP, but I thought this worth mentioning. > Seventy per cent of the **Congressional Medals of Honor** are presented posthumously. What is erroneously called the Congressional Medal of Honor is actually the Medal of Honor. It is the highest award the _military_ can award for heroism, and is awarded by the President. The Congressional Gold Medal being given to Tony Blair is a different medal. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/16 "2004-08-23T00:10:59Z")
This isn’t the CMOH… it’s the Congressional Gold Medal mentioned above. And, before everyone gets too indignant, note that on \*\* Tapioca Dextrin’s \*\* link, that Louis L’Amour, Charles Schultz, Rosa Parks, George Gershwin, John Wayne and Lady Bird Johnson also won this same thing. After reading the list, I’m wondering if it’s the closest thing to some of the British Knighthood orders that we have. (yes, I know we have the Legion of Merit for military personnel) ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/17 "2004-08-23T00:37:05Z")
> [@wolf\_meister](#): > > Not really asked in the OP, but I thought this worth mentioning. > Seventy per cent of the **Congressional Medals of Honor** are presented posthumously. Can’t it also be presented in secret? Upon reflection, I’ll slightly amend my (related) query; I don’t mean as a conspiracy, but if it’s earned in a secret action. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/18 "2004-08-23T00:52:16Z")
If your question refers to the Medal of Honor, or military medals in general, the answer is no. The military doesn’t confer “secret” awards. At times the citaqtion for the award may be worded in very vague terms, but all military awards are public acts. I coverd this question in some depth in my War Heroes threads in MPSIMS some time ago, if you’d like to look them up. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/19 "2004-08-23T01:20:31Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > If your question refers to the Medal of Honor, or military medals in general, the answer is no. The military doesn’t confer “secret” awards. At times the citaqtion for the award may be worded in very vague terms, but all military awards are public acts. > > I coverd this question in some depth in my War Heroes threads in MPSIMS some time ago, if you’d like to look them up. Yes, military medals. Thanks. I was thinking CIA in places like Vietnam and Pakistan. Too much 007, I suspect. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-medal-of-honor-for-tony-blair/260986/20 "2004-08-23T01:30:50Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > Can’t it also be presented in secret? > Upon reflection, I’ll slightly amend my (related) query; > I don’t mean as a conspiracy, but if it’s earned in a secret action. > Peace, > mangeorge And not the Gold Medal either > [@](#): > > n addition to the requirement that all Congressional Gold Medal legislation must be cosponsored by at least two-thirds (290) of the Members of the House, specific standards are set forth by Rule VII (c)(vii) of the House Committee on Banking and Financial Services’s Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy when considering such legislation. Additionally, the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee requires that at least 67 Senators must cosponsor any Congressional Gold Medal legislation before the committee will consider it.