Nominations are open for the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation’s 2018 Citizen Honors awards, which recognizes civilians and former members of the military who “whose actions have defined the words courage and selfless sacrifice.”

Nominations, due by Dec. 30, can be submitted here. Nominees will be considered under four categories: Single Acts of Heroism, which will be awarded to two citizens; Service Acts; the Young Hero Award for citizens between the ages of 8 and 18; and the Community Service Hero Award for an organization’s exceptional support for members of the military and their families.

For more information about the nomination process, visit the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation’s Citizen Honors page here.

A look at three of 2017’s winners:

Molly Hudgens (pictured above) of Ashland City, Tennessee, was selected for her courageous act on September 29, 2016, when she prevented a 14-year old middle school student from shooting teachers and administrators at Sycamore Middle School. Hudgens spoke with the student for 45 minutes until he agreed to surrender. No shots were fired during the incident.

2017 Citizen Honors Award Acts of Service recipient, Mr. Travis Ellis (Senoia, Georgia) receives the 2017 Citizen Honors Award Acts of Service from Medal of Honor Recipients Tom Kelley and Clinton Romesha. (Courtesy of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation)

Travis Ellis of Senoia, Georgia, was selected for his selfless service in support of veterans through his work with Shepherd’s Men, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds to support post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries among service members. Ellis’ efforts support the patients at the SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center, a PTS and TBI rehab program.

Medal of Honor recipients Salvatore Giunta (right) and Tom Kelley present the 2017 Young Hero Award to Katelyn Ibarra recognizing her heroism in assisting several citizens injured in a car-bus traffic accident on the interstate in Colorado. (Courtesy of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation)

Katelyn Ibarra of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, was selected for her heroism in assisting several citizens injured in a traffic accident. Before emergency medical professionals arrived, Ibarra provided critical first-aid assistance and removed injured passengers from the immediate accident scene. Ibarra was trained in first aid through the Girl Scouts of Colorado.

The awards will be presented by Medal of Honor recipients on National Medal of Honor Day, on March 25.


About Puja Murgai

Puja Murgai is Special Projects Editor for Military Times.

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