10 U.S.C. § 8291
Verified against govinfo.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on govinfo.gov ↗
The President may award, and present in the name of Congress, a medal of honor of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while a member of the naval service, distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty—
- (1)while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
- (2)while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
- (3)while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.