There are those agitating right now to have the Medal of Honor awarded because of a movie. Some are doing so because they are caught up in the hero-worship attached to said movie. Others are doing so as a political statement. Neither motivation is justification for attempting to cheapen the value of the Medal of Honor by making it a statement of pop culture.

“Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that Chapter 357 of Title 10, United States Code, is amended as follows:

(1) Section 3741 is amended to read as follows:

“3741. Medal of Honor: award

“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 Army, distinguished 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.”