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 DoD ...

Many of Pitts' soldiers believed they would not have made it through the ordeal had it not been for the leadership of their CO.

Johnson awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor to Pitts’ wife and two children — the first such honor to a Black commissioned officer in the Army. “He was a brave man and a leader of men ...