East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Ron Wyden have announced the enactment of their bipartisan legislation that designates U.S. Highway 20 as the "National Medal of Honor Highway." This highway runs between Newport, Oregon, and New England.

"Idaho’s veterans enrich our communities through service past and present. Medal of Honor recipients have acted well beyond the call of duty, and many continue to do so long after they leave military service," said Crapo. "This 3,000-mile recognition ensures all Medal of Honor recipients are honored across 12 states for many years to come."

Wyden added, "It’s fitting that our country’s longest continuous highway, stretching from the Pacific to the Atlantic, is now dedicated to our veterans who have continuously served and protected our country from sea to shining sea. I’m gratified the National Medal of Honor Highway now stands as a timeless tribute to the heroes of Oregon and America who helped make this grassroots movement a reality."

The Medal of Honor is awarded by the president in Congress's name for valor demonstrated by U.S. servicemembers who distinguish themselves "through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty."

The renaming recognizes both current and future recipients from each state along its path. In March 2019, Idaho had already designated its portion as a Medal of Honor Highway. Since then, other states along U.S. Highway 20 have followed suit.

The initiative has received backing from organizations such as Bend Heroes Foundation, Military Officers Association of America, The American Legion, Legion of Valor, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Congressional Medal of Honor Society.