H. L. Hunley JROTC Award

The H. L. Hunley JROTC Award is awarded to cadets of the United States Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps who have demonstrated strong corps values, honor, courage and commitment to their unit during the school year. The award, which consists of a medal, a ribbon, and a certificate, is typically awarded annually to one rising second year cadet per unit, but may be awarded to cadets of other classes based upon the discretion of the unit's Senior Instructor. The award, which is sponsored by the Sons of Confederate Veterans organization (SCV) is available to cadets in all service branches of the U.S. JROTC program. The cost of the medal is covered by the SCV. This award should not be confused with the similarly named Horace L. Hunley Award which is also awarded by the SCV, but has no connection with the JROTC program.

History
The H. L. Hunley JROTC Award originated in South Carolina in 2007. It was initially awarded only in the state of South Carolina, and due to its naval theme, only to U.S. Navy and Marine Corps JROTC cadets. In 2008, the award was extended to include U.S. Army and Air Force JROTC cadets, but it was still exclusive to South Carolina. The award was again extended in 2009 to include all cadets throughout the United States JROTC program. While the award is usually sponsored by a local chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, schools located in an area with no local SCV chapters are able to apply for the award through the organization's national headquarters.

Namesake
The award of the Hunley medal is meant to honor or reward cadets who have shown the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment, as did the ill-fated crew of the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley. The H. L. Hunley made naval history off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, on February 17, 1864, when it became the first submarine to sink an opposing vessel in combat. The crew of the submarine was lost in action, and it is the spirit of this selfless sacrifice that the award draws its theme. While the award does have a strong naval theme, it is suitable for award to cadets of other branches due to the fact that the commander of the Hunley, Lt. George E. Dixon, was a serving Army officer. The actions of this crew were later honored by some U.S. Navy ships, including the USS Hunley (AS-31) and USS Dixon (AS-37), being named in honor of the submarine and its commander.