The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the nation’s highest medal for valor in combat that can be awarded to members of the armed forces. The medal was first authorized in 1861 for Sailors and Marines, and the following year for Soldiers as well. Since then, more than 3,400 Medals of Honor have been awarded to members of all United States Department of Defense services and the Coast Guard. Medals of Honor are awarded sparingly and are bestowed only to the bravest of the brave; and that courage must be well documented.
Recently, the U.S. Army Office of the Chief of Public Affairs (OCPA) and DCG collaborated to spotlight the latest MOH recipients, whose selflessness helped the Union effort during the Civil War. Together, we created impactful and visually compelling materials to honor these brave individuals and showcased their stories not only on the MOH website but also at events such as the MOH Hall of Heroes Ceremony.
This ceremony honored former U.S. Army Pvt. Philip G. Shadrach and Pvt. George D. Wilson, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. on July 4, 2024. Shadrach and Wilson were posthumously awarded the MOH on July 3, 2024, for acts of valor and heroism during the American Civil War in 1862.
Both Union soldiers were posthumously honored by President Biden with the MOH for their courage in the “Great Locomotive Chase,” in which they went deep behind Confederate lines and stole a train in Marietta, Georgia. They ran the train north, tearing up tracks and cutting telegraph wires as they went. The MOH graphics that displayed at the ceremony were well received and the families of the recipients and U.S. Army Public Affairs were very pleased as well.
To further highlight the inspiring journeys of these awardees, reflect on our nation’s history and showcase our team’s design efforts, our team submitted some of the impactful MOH posters to the 2024 MarCom Awards and won gold!
View the award-winning posters:
The Battle: The Great Locomotive Chase of 1862
This poster represents the history of the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862. Here, Union soldiers dressed as civilians and infiltrated the Confederacy. They hijacked a train in Georgia and drove it north for 87 miles, destroying enemy infrastructure on the way. This included railways and communication lines. Six of those Union soldiers became the Army’s first MOH recipients. The plan for the Great Locomotive Chase was created by James J. Andrews, who formed the Andrews’ Raiders.
2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment
This poster represents the history of the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment. This group was organized in 1861 in the Ohio Militia at Columbus from existing companies. The three-month regiment, under Col. Lewis Wilson, served in the defense of Washington and the occupation of Fairfax Courthouse and fought at the Battle of Bull Run.
Pvt. Philip G. Shadrach
This poster represents the life of MOH awardee, Pvt. Philip G. Shadrach.
Pvt. George D. Wilson
This poster represents the life of MOH awardee, Pvt. George D. Wilson.
Since awarding these two Civil War soldiers, our team also helped deliver awards at a combined ceremony for seven recipients — five from the Korean War and two from the Vietnam War — on a very challenging timeline. We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with the U.S. Army OCPA in bringing these inspiring stories to life. Together, we’ve combined our creative talents and historical insights to help educate others about our nation’s history and its heroes.
Gold MarCom Win for DCG and U.S. Army’s Medal of Honor Work was originally published in DCG Life on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
