ABOVE & BEYOND
ABOUT

The Above & Beyond Citizen Honors were conceived as a symbol of hope, meant to inspire Americans to embrace the principle of “service before self.” In towns and cities across the nation, ordinary citizens transform into extraordinary heroes, sometimes in a single moment of bravery, sometimes through a lifetime of quiet, steadfast service. Each act of courage, each selfless gesture, embodies the enduring spirit of America and is celebrated annually by our nation’s finest heroes.

Every year, a rigorous national search seeks to identify and honor these remarkable individuals. From countless nominations, three are chosen to receive the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors—a tribute to unparalleled selflessness. This award is presented by members of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Americans who, through their wartime valor, have redefined courage and sacrifice. These Medal of Honor recipients pass the torch, honoring Americans who embody these same qualities of courage and dedication in their civilian lives. Supported by all branches of the United States Armed Forces, the Citizen Honors stand as a testament to the power of compassion and service, echoing the highest ideals of our nation.
ABOUT

The Above & Beyond Citizen Honors were created to inspire and encourage all Americans to promote “service before self.” Every day in this country, ordinary Americans become extraordinary. It can happen in a single instance of bravery – or through continued service to others. These acts of courage and self-sacrifice symbolize the American spirit and are recognized every year by our nation’s greatest heroes.

Each year a nationwide search and selection process is conducted to identify and honor remarkable Americans who have acted selflessly towards their fellow citizens. The top three receive the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors (“Citizen Honors”). The honorees receive this award from a group of Americans whose actions have defined the words courage and selfless service — the living members of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. These brave Americans have received the Medal of Honor for their acts of valor performed during wartime and present the Citizen Honors to Americans who are showing courage and dedicating themselves to service here at home. The Citizen Honors are supported by every branch of the United States Armed Forces.
ABOUT

The Above & Beyond Citizen Honors were created to inspire and encourage all Americans to promote “service before self.” Every day in this country, ordinary Americans become extraordinary. It can happen in a single instance of bravery – or through continued service to others. These acts of courage and self-sacrifice symbolize the American spirit and are recognized every year by our nation’s greatest heroes.

Each year a nationwide search and selection process is conducted to identify and honor remarkable Americans who have acted selflessly towards their fellow citizens. The top three receive the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors (“Citizen Honors”). The honorees receive this award from a group of Americans whose actions have defined the words courage and selfless service — the living members of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. These brave Americans have received the Medal of Honor for their acts of valor performed during wartime and present the Citizen Honors to Americans who are showing courage and dedicating themselves to service here at home. The Citizen Honors are supported by every branch of the United States Armed Forces.
THE INSPIRATION

In 2007, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society turned to David Clark with a mission: reimagine their annual gala to amplify the military principle of “service before self.” As Clark delved into the legacy of the Medal of Honor and the U.S. military, certain aspects resonated deeply:

  • The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is revered as the most distinguished organization in the United States, comprised solely of those awarded the nation’s highest recognition for valor in combat—the Medal of Honor.
  • Protocol dictates that every member of the military, even four-star generals, initiates a salute to the President, except for Medal of Honor recipients. In their case, tradition requires the President to render the first salute.
  • For civilians, the highest honor remains the Presidential Medal of Freedom, yet this award is conferred at the President’s discretion, with no formal peer oversight.
  • In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln declared, “Any Nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure,” thus creating the Medal of Honor as the pinnacle of valor in combat.

Reflecting on these insights, Clark envisioned a national “Cause Brand” with the power to inspire and endure. This vision materialized as the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors, an award designed to celebrate civilian heroism. It gained gravitas through a unique approach: nominations would arise from the public, while the selection jury would consist exclusively of Medal of Honor recipients, grounding civilian recognition in the peerless authority of America’s most honored heroes.
THE INSPIRATION

In 2007, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society asked David Clark to come up with an idea to expand the scope of their annual gala in order to more effectively promote the military ethic of “service before self.” After some due diligence on the Medal of Honor and the US Military, the following items struck Clark:
  • The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is regarded as the most prestigious organization in the United States because its members are solely comprised of recipients of our nation’s highest award for valor in combat – The Medal of Honor.
  • As the Commander In Chief, everyone in the military including four star Generals have to initiative a salute to the President when they encounter him – with the exception of Medal of Honor recipients. By custom, the President has to initiate a salute when he encounters them.
  • The highest award that could be given to a civilian in the United States, was the Presidential Medal of Freedom. However, the President could give this award to anyone of his/her choosing. 
  • In 1861 Abraham Lincoln stated; “Any Nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure,” and then created the Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in combat.
After thinking about all the above, Clark believed he could create a national Cause Brand that would inspire and endure. With this goal, Clark creates the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors to recognize civilian heroism. What gave this new award it’s gravitas, was that nominations came from the public, and that the jury that selected the Civilian Honors each year would be solely comprised of Medal of Honor recipients. 
THE LAUNCH

To launch the Above & Beyond Cause Brand with maximum impact in 2008, David Clark enlisted four-star General Colin Powell to unveil the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors from a setting as symbolic as it was historic: the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, in the shadow of the very president who created the Medal of Honor. Before a crowd and the cameras of NBC News and The Today Show, General Powell spoke to the American people, introducing the initiative as a tribute to civilian heroism. He issued a call to action, inviting citizens across the nation to nominate those who have gone “Above & Beyond” in service to others, reinforcing the timeless ethic of selflessness that lies at the heart of the American spirit.
THE LAUNCH

In order to announce the Above & Beyond Cause Brand with the maximum amount of publicity possible in 2008, Clark confirms four-star General Colin Powell to announce the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, in the very shadow of the 16th President who created the Medal of Honor. At the press conference, covered by NBC News and The Today Show, General Powell explained the initiative to the American public and called on all citizens to nominate those who have gone “Above & Beyond” for their fellow citizens.
THE LAUNCH

In order to announce the Above & Beyond Cause Brand with the maximum amount of publicity possible in 2008, Clark confirms four-star General Colin Powell to announce the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, in the very shadow of the 16th President who created the Medal of Honor. At the press conference, covered by NBC News and The Today Show, General Powell explained the initiative to the American public and called on all citizens to nominate those who have gone “Above & Beyond” for their fellow citizens.
THE MEDAL

In an effort to promote anonymous heroism, salute those who have gone “Above & Beyond” for others, and highlight the special relationship between civilians and the military in the US, Clark selects the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery as his inspiration for creating the “Above & Beyond” medal itself. On the east side of the Tomb is a low relief sculpture that depicts three Greek figures (two civilians, one military) which represent Peace, Victory & Valor. In order to create a lasting link with this iconic American symbol which rests on hallowed ground, Clark worked with renowned artist Elliott Arkin to reproduce the figures of Peace, Victory & Valor on the medals themselves.
THE MEDAL

Driven to honor anonymous heroism, salute those who have gone “Above & Beyond” for others, and spotlight the unique bond between civilians and the military, David Clark chose an enduring symbol of sacrifice—the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery—as inspiration for the Above & Beyond medal. On the Tomb’s east side, a relief sculpture of three Greek figures—two civilians and one military—represents Peace, Victory, and Valor. To forge a lasting link with this iconic American monument on hallowed ground, Clark collaborated with acclaimed artist Elliott Arkin to reproduce these figures on the medals themselves. Through this tribute, the Above & Beyond medals embody not only the ideals of the Tomb, but the eternal respect owed to those who serve others in silence and strength.
THE MEDAL

In an effort to promote anonymous heroism, salute those who have gone “Above & Beyond” for others, and highlight the special relationship between civilians and the military in the US, Clark selects the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery as his inspiration for creating the “Above & Beyond” medal itself. On the east side of the Tomb is a low relief sculpture that depicts three Greek figures (two civilians, one military) which represent Peace, Victory & Valor. In order to create a lasting link with this iconic American symbol which rests on hallowed ground, Clark worked with renowned artist Elliott Arkin to reproduce the figures of Peace, Victory & Valor on the medals themselves.
ANNUAL RECIPIENTS

2021 Citizen Honors

Photo By: John Doe
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