The Badge of Military Merit fell into disuse after the Revolutionary War, and it was not until after the outbreak of the Mexican-American War, that a "certificate of merit" (with no medal) was established in 1847, for award to any soldier who distinguished himself in action.

Early in the Civil War, a medal for individual valor was proposed to General-in-Chief of the Army, Winfield Scott. However, Scott believed medals smacked of European affectation - and killed the idea. The need for a medal found support in the Navy, and Public Resolution 82 contained a provision for a Navy Medal of Valor, which was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on December 21, 1861. This medal was "to be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen, and Marines as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry and other seamanlike qualities during the present war."

A little more than six months later, a resolution similar in wording was introduced on behalf of the Army, and signed into law on July 12, 1862. This measure provided for awarding a medal of honor "to such noncommissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldierlike qualities, during the present insurrection." Established to honor those who distinguished themselves during the Civil War, Congress moved to make the Medal of Honor a permanent decoration in 1863.

The Congressional Medal of Honor

To date, research shows that eight of the 3,400 service men and women who have been awarded the Medal of Honor, have gone on to be appointed to serve with the U.S. Customs Service. Six men were honored for gallantry during the Civil War, one during World War II, and one during the Vietnam War. It is regretted we have been unable to locate portraits of John Nicholas Coyne and John Henry Moffitt.

Quotations are from Armed Forces Decorations and Awards, a publication of the American Forces Information Service.

Photo credits: Joshua L. Chamberlain circa 1862/by Matthew Brady-Library of Congress. Joshua L. Chamberlain-1990/National Archives. Newton M. Curtis/by Matthew Brady-Library of Congress. John F. Hartranft circa 1862/Library of Congress. John F. Hartranft-circa 1881/Customs Archives. John Lonergan circa 1862 and 1900/"History of the Thirteenth Regiment Vermont Volunteers." Charles A. MacGillivary/National Medal of Honor Society. David H. McNerney & his Medal/Larry Mousseau, USCS.

CAPT. JOHN LONERGAN Born 1839 in Ireland; emigrated to the U.S. in 1848. Died 1902 in Montreal, Canada; buried in Burlington, Vt. 1862 1900 Awarded the Medal for distinguished gallantry in action while leading his brigade in retaking four guns of a Battery U.S. Artillery Reserve, capturing two guns from the rebels, and capturing numerous prisoners; and on the following day by holding the front battle line during Gen. Pickett's desperate charge - Battle of Gettysburg, 2 July 1863 1871-1886: Deputy Collector of Customs - Collection District of Vermont

MAJ. GEN. JOSHUA LAWRENCE CHAMBERLAIN Born 1828 in Maine - Died 1914 in Maine. circa 1862 1905 Awarded the Medal for "daring heroism and great tenacity in holding his position on the Little Round Top against repeated assaults, and carrying the advance position on the Great Round Top. Battle of Gettysburg, 2 July 1863. Governor, State of Maine 1866-1871 President, Bowdoin College 1871-1883 1900-1914: Surveyor of Customs-Collection District of Portland, Maine

MAJ. GEN. JOHN FREDERICK HARTRANFT Born 1830 in Pa. - Died 1889 in Pa. circa 1862 - John Hartranft, seated in center, with his staff circa 1881 Awarded the Medal for gallantry on the eve of the battle of First Bull Run, Manassas, Va., on July 21, 1861, "distinguishing himself in rallying several regiments which had been thrown into confusion." Governor of Pennsylvania 1872-1878 Postmaster of Philadelphia, Pa. 1879-1880 1881-1885: Collector of Customs - Collection District of Philadelphia, Pa.

MAJ. GEN. NEWTON MARTIN CURTIS Born 1835 in N.Y. - Died 1910 in N.Y. circa 1862 Awarded the Medal for bravery at Fort Fisher,N.C., in being "the first man to pass through the stockade, and personally led each assault on the traverses and was four times wounded." Member, New York State Assembly 1884 -1890 Member, 52nd, 53rd, & 54th U.S. Congresses 1891-1897 1866-1867: Collector of Customs - Collection District of Ogdensburg, N.Y. 1867-1880: Special Agent of the Treasury

SGT. JOHN NICHOLAS COYNE Born 1843 in N.Y. - Died 1926 in N.Y. Awarded the Medal for gallantry in capturing a Confederate flag after a severe hand-to-hand contest at Williamsburg, Va., on May 5, 1862. Later wounded at Fair Oaks, Va., and Gettysburg, Pa. Author of "History of the Third Army Corps," and "History of the Excelsior Brigade." 1865-unknown: Chief Clerk, Disbursing Department - New York Customhouse

SGT. JOHN HENRY MOFFITT Born 1839 in N.Y. - Died 1907 in East Orange, N.J. Awarded the Medal at age 19, for gallantry at Gaines Mill, Va., on June 27, 1862, after several regimental color bearers had been shot down, he voluntarily took up the colors and carried them until he was wounded in the battle. Member, 50th and 51st U.S. Congresses 1887-1891. Manager of the Syracuse, New York Street Railway Co. 1891-1899; Superintendent of the Syracuse City Water Department 1900-1902. Cashier, Plattsburg (NY) National Bank 1902-1904. President, Plattsburg National Bank 1904-1926. 1866-1872: Deputy Collector of Customs - Port of Rouses Point, N.Y.

SGT. CHARLES A. MacGILLIVARY Born 1917 in Canada - Died 2000 in Mass. 1945: Receiving his Medal of Honor from President Truman On January 1, 1945, during an attack by a German tank division near Woelfling, France, the American company commander and his deputy had been killed, and taking his leaders' place, Sgt. MacGillivary set out on a one-man mission to destroy surrounding German machine gun emplacements. A wounded German at the last emplacement hit Sgt. MacGillivary with a machine gun burst to his left side, severing his left arm. Awarded the Medal for his "indomitable fighting spirit, great initiative, and utter disregard for personal safety in the face of powerful enemy resistance, Sgt. MacGillivary destroyed four hostile machine guns and immeasurably helped his company to continue on its mission with minimum casualties." 1950-circa 1953: Customs Warehouse Officer - Port of Boston circa 1953-1975: Presidential Appointment as Customs Agent, Office of the Customs Agent-in-Charge - Boston, Mass.

FIRST SGT. DAVID H. McNERNEY Born 1931 in Mass. Retired from Customs in 1995. 1995 Awarded the Medal for distinguished leadership when his unit was attacked near polei Doc, Vietnam. In spite of painful injuries, First Sgt. McNerney assaulted and destroyed an enemy machine gun position, then assumed command of his company after the deaths of his commander and artillery forward observer, adjusting artillery fire to within twenty meters of the hostile position in a daring measure to repulse enemy assaults. As the hostile assaults slackened, he began clearing a helicopter landing site to evacuate the wounded; refusing medical evacuation himself, McNerney remained with his unit until the next day, when a new commander arrived. First Sgt. McNerney served four tours of duty in Vietnam, and in addition to the Medal of Honor awarded for his heroism at polei Doc, he was awarded the Bronze Star five times, and was twice wounded in action. 1970-1995: Senior Customs Inspector - Houston, Tex.