Awarded to "a servicebeing who performs an act of conspicuous heroism above and beyond the call of duty, either not in the face of the enemy or otherwise not meeting the criteria of the Medal of Courage", the Medal of Fortitude was the first valor decoration which did not specifically require the recipient to have been engaged in battle with the enemy. It could be awarded for a lesser degree of combat heroism than required by the Medal of Courage, but could also be presented for heroic actions outside combat.