Thanks of Congress

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The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive military actions by American military commanders. Although it had been initiated during the American Revolutionary War, the practice peaked during the American Civil War. Similarly, the Confederate Congress also passed resolutions honoring extraordinary performance to individuals or military units.

During the American Revolution, the official Thanks of Congress from the Continental Congress was often accompanied by a specially struck commemorative gold or silver medal. Among the recipients were George Washington, Horatio Gates, John Eager Howard, John Stark, Baron von Steuben, and Henry Lee (See also List of Congressional Gold Medal recipients). Other recipients in the early years of the United States include Andrew Jackson (1815) andZachary Taylor (1847).

During the Civil War, the Thanks of Congress citations were published in the Congressional Record to honor officers and enlisted men from late 1861 through May 1866. A total of thirty men received this recognition during the war, fifteen in the Union Army and fifteen in the Union Navy. Admiral David Dixon Porter was honored on a record three separate occasions. The first citation recognized "the gallant and patriotic services of the late Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Lyon, and the officers and soldiers under his command at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, 10 Aug. 1861."

Among those leading generals honored with the Thanks of Congress were William S. Rosecrans (March, 1863), Ulysses S. Grant (March, 1863), Nathaniel Banks (January, 1864), Ambrose Burnside (January, 1864), Joseph Hooker (January, 1864), Oliver O. Howard (January, 1864), George G. Meade (January, 1864), William T. Sherman (February, 1864 and January, 1865), Philip H. Sheridan (February, 1865), and George Henry Thomas (March, 1865).

Later honorees included Admiral George Dewey (1898) and Captain Arthur Rostron (1914).