--- title: "This is why President Truman turned down the Medal of Honor" description: "Harry Truman always remarked that he would rather have had the medal than be President. But when he was offered it, he calmly refused." date: "2022-01-29" modified: "2022-01-29" authors: - name: "Blake Stilwell" job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/president-truman-turned-down-medal-of-honor/" categories: - "History" - "War History" - "World War I" --- # This is why President Truman turned down the Medal of Honor ![Truman medal of honor]() *(The White House)* Whenever he awarded the Medal of Honor as President of the United States, Harry Truman always remarked that he would rather have had the medal than be President. But when the time came for him to receive one he not only made it known he wouldn't accept it, he [actively blocked every effort](). --- In 1971, the former President was pushing 87 years old. Congress moved to award him the Medal he always wanted, but upon first hearing about it, "Give 'em Hell Harry" squashed any notion of the award. ![Truman medal of honor]() *Sitting President Richard Nixon visiting Truman at the Truman Library in 1969. (The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library)* "I don't consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise," [Truman wrote]() upon hearing about the idea. The former president was appreciative and considered the thought behind the move an honor in and of itself. He sent a letter to his former political ally and Representative in Congress, William J. Randall, to be read to the chamber while it was in session. The gist of the letter was that the Medal of Honor was an award for bravery in combat. Giving it to Truman just because he's a former president would water down the award's importance. ![Truman medal of honor]() *Truman presented hundreds of Medals of Honor as President. (The White House)* "Therefore, I close by saying thanks, but I will not accept a Congressional Medal of Honor," he wrote in 1971. The former President and World War I artillery officer would die in December 1972, the very next year, at age 88. "Harry S. Truman will be remembered as one of the most courageous Presidents in our history, who led the Nation and the world through a critical period with exceptional vision and determination," [President Nixon wrote of Truman when he died](). "Embroiled in controversy during his presidency, his stature in the eyes of history has risen steadily ever since. He did what had to be done, when it had to be done." ## Author Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()