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 Washington, Feb 21 - In a bipartisan display of support for our nation’s heroes, Congressmen Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC) and Mike H. Michaud (D-ME) introduced legislation this past Friday to provide a dramatic increase in the monthly pension provided to the 111 living Medal of Honor recipients through the Department of Veterans Affairs. 47 percent of these 111 living recipients earned their Medals more than 50 years ago while serving in World War II or Korea. The average age of the living recipients is 74 years of age.
This pension was first provided to recipients as a $10.00 per month payment from the United States Government in 1916; in the decades since, it has increased to an inflation adjusted $1,000 per month. The Brown/Michaud bill, H.R. 1137, would increase the base amount of the pension to $2,000, while maintaining the tie to inflation. Additionally, H.R. 1137 would add new language directing the VA to provide the surviving spouse of a deceased Medal of Honor Recipient with the pension benefit.
“The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest award for valor,” said Brown. “Of the nearly 3,500 Medals of Honor awarded, only 111 living recipients remain with us. More than 140 years after the Medal of Honor was established in 1863, America’s men and women in uniform are again serving in harm’s way for the future security of our nation. This special pension increase would be a small step towards showing the proper recognition their heroic acts demand.”
“The greatest acts of bravery deserve to be recognized,” said Michaud. “The Medal of Honor and its benefits are bestowed upon those who put others first by displaying the highest level of bravery and courage. I am honored to join with Congressman Brown in offering this bill. It will increase the benefits given to our most courageous citizen soldiers and add to our nation’s appreciation of our heroes. I look forward to continuing our work together on behalf of all of our nation’s veterans.”
The surviving Medal of Honor recipients range in age from 56 to 97. John Finn earned the Medal of Honor for his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor and is the last living Medal Recipient from Pearl Harbor. The last living Recipient to be presented the Medal of Honor was Tibor Rubin, a Holocaust survivor who earned his Medal for actions during Korea. President Bush presented Rubin with the Medal at the White House on September 23, 2005.
"I want to thank both my Congressman, Henry Brown, and Congressman Michaud for their support, said Medal of Honor recipient retired Major General James Livingston. “I am especially glad to see that the spouses are finally receiving some recognition."
The bill has been referred to the Veterans Affairs Committee, and both Congressmen Brown and Michaud are hopeful the committee will act upon this important legislation during the 110th Congress.
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