Why do most recent Medal of Honor recipients leave the military shortly after being awarded it?

We should give them Pro athletes pay if you ask me

I am sure that many individuals who receive the Medal of Honor are not keen to the spotlight. If they are lucky enough to still be alive after receiving the award, it is more than likely that members of their unit or team lost their life during the incident. Having to take all of the credit for a mission or event while other members of your team lost their life would be tough on anyone.

Because they can!

Because most have the ultimate sacrifice! If not then they were best up pretty bad and in my opinion anyone that received the MOH shouldn't have to work for the rest of there life!

Should get more

In the Russian Army huh' feeling that way you need to get out! Plus, back up to the teller every time you get ready to withdrawn your MOH pay because you didn't deserve it!

If you're not disabled getting it; if you were in a "Hot LZ" knowing you were going to die but didn't. The psychological PTSD makes you unfit to serve.

My regimental Sgt Major was Alan J Kellogg MOH recipient, 3rd Marines Kaneohe Bay, Hi. He did 30 years. I never met anyone so motivated, a true american badass.

I don't think there is a direct cause-and-effect relationship between service members receiving the MOH and leaving active duty. A service member who performed an act of exceptional heroism may have been wounded seriously. In these cases, medical retirement may have led them into civilian life. Sometimes they simply reached the end of their enlistment and decided they had enough--perhaps for family reasons. Later they are approved for the MOH and put the uniform on one more time to receive the medal. I'll do some research and look at the numbers when I have a chance.

Navy Lieutenant Clyde Lassen, a H-2 helicopter pilot, received the MOH for the rescue of two downed aviators under fire in Viet Nam. He served the rest of a 20 year career and retired as a Commander (O-5).

I think that most recipients are gravely wounded performing the act of valor which merits the award, and retirement may be due to the effects of their physical injuries.