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Medal of Honor
Three medals, side by side, consisting of an inverted 5-pointed star hanging from a light blue ribbon with 13 white stars in the center. Left medal has a laurel wreath around the star and an eagle emblem above the star; central medal has an anchor emblem attaching the medal to the ribbon; rightmost medal has a laurel wreath around the star and an emblem with wings, lightning bolts and the word "VALOR" connecting the medal to the ribbon.
All recipients
American Civil War
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Other wars and conflicts
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    President Barack Obama meets with recipients at the National Medal of Honor Day ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns on March 25, 2009

    There are currently 69 living recipients of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.[1] The Medal of Honor is bestowed upon any member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself "conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States."[2]

    Of the 69 living recipients, two earned their Medals of Honor in World War II, four in the Korean War, 48 in the Vietnam War, 13 in the War in Afghanistan, one in the War in Iraq and one in Operation Inherent Resolve. One earned his medal while serving in the U.S. Air Force, 48 in the U.S. Army, 12 in the U.S. Marine Corps, and eight in the U.S. Navy. The oldest recipient is Charles H. Coolidge, aged 103, whereas the youngest is Kyle Carpenter, aged 35. Three medal holders are still on active duty in the U.S. military, soldiers William D. Swenson, Thomas Payne and Matthew O. Williams of the U.S. Army. Among the recipients are former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey and three retired generals: Patrick Henry Brady and Robert F. Foley of the Army and James E. Livingston of the Marine Corps.

    Medal of Honor

    The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously.[3]

    World War II

    Main article: List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II
    See also: List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Attack on Pearl Harbor
    See also: List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Battle of Iwo Jima

    During World War II, 464 United States military personnel received the Medal of Honor, 266 (57.3%) of them posthumously. A total of 42 (9.1%) were presented for action in just two battles – 15 for actions during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and 27 for actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima. A total of 21 (4.5%) were received by members of the all-Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions in numerous battles across six different campaigns.[4] Additionally, the only Medal of Honor ever presented to a member of the United States Coast Guard was received for actions during this war.[5]

    Image Name Branch Birth date and age Reference
    Charles H. Coolidge Army (1921-08-04) August 4, 1921 (age 103) [6]
    Williams in 2010 Hershel W. Williams Marine Corps (1923-10-02) October 2, 1923 (age 101) [7]

    Korean War

    Main article: List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients

    During the Korean War, 136 Medals of Honor were presented for bravery in action, 98 (72.1%) of them posthumously. As of 2020, four recipients were still living.[5]

    Image Name Branch Birth date and age Reference
    Duane E. Dewey Marine Corps (1931-11-16) November 16, 1931 (age 92) [8]
    Miyamura in 2008 Hiroshi H. Miyamura Army (1925-10-06) October 6, 1925 (age 99) [9]
    Head of a smiling white man wearing a suit, red tie, and a medal hanging from a blue ribbon around his neck Robert E. Simanek Marine Corps (1930-04-26) April 26, 1930 (age 94) [10]
    Photograph of an older white man wearing glasses and a medal hanging from a blue ribbon around his neck Ernest E. West Army (1931-09-02) September 2, 1931 (age 93) [7]

    Vietnam War

    Main article: List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War

    During the Vietnam War and in the following twelve months, 235 Medals of Honor were awarded and since 1978 a further 26 awards have been presented. Of the total of 261 awards, 174 were to the US Army, 15 to the US Navy, 58 to the USMC and 14 to the USAF.[11]

    Image Name Branch Birth date and age Reference
    John Baca Army (1949-01-10) January 10, 1949 (age 75) [12]
    Donald E. Ballard Navy (1945-12-05) December 5, 1945 (age 78) [13]
    Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. Marine Corps (1940-07-21) July 21, 1940 (age 84) [14]
    Gary B. Beikirch Army (1947-08-29) August 29, 1947 (age 77) [15]
    Portrait of a dark-haired white man wearing a military uniform with many ribbons, pins, and badges. Patrick Henry Brady Army (1936-10-01) October 1, 1936 (age 88) [16]
    Bucha in 2011 Paul Bucha Army (1943-08-01) August 1, 1943 (age 81) [17]
    Canley in 2018 John Canley Marine Corps (1938-02-01) February 1, 1938 (age 86)
    Crandall in 2012 Bruce P. Crandall Army (1933-02-17) February 17, 1933 (age 91) [14]
    Sammy L. Davis Army (1946-11-01) November 1, 1946 (age 78) [18]
    Profile of a white man with a full, gray beard wearing a star-shaped medal from a blue ribbon around his neck. Drew Dennis Dix Army (1944-12-14) December 14, 1944 (age 79) [9]
    Roger Donlon Army (1934-01-30) January 30, 1934 (age 90) [19]
    Frederick Edgar Ferguson Army (1939-08-18) August 18, 1939 (age 85) [20]
    Michael John Fitzmaurice Army (1950-03-09) March 9, 1950 (age 74) [21]
    James P. Fleming Air Force (1943-03-12) March 12, 1943 (age 81) [16]
    Portrait of a middle-aged white man in a formal military uniform in front of a U.S. flag Robert F. Foley Army (1941-05-30) May 30, 1941 (age 83)
    Harold A. Fritz Army (1944-02-21) February 21, 1944 (age 80) [18]
    Charles C. Hagemeister Army (1946-08-21) August 21, 1946 (age 78) [22]
    Frank A. Herda Army (1947-09-13) September 13, 1947 (age 77)
    Robert R. Ingram Navy (1945-01-20) January 20, 1945 (age 79) [23]
    Jack H. Jacobs Army (1945-08-02) August 2, 1945 (age 79) [24]
    Don J. Jenkins Army (1948-04-18) April 18, 1948 (age 76) [7]
    Head of a white man in a suit with a medal hanging from a blue ribbon around his neck Thomas G. Kelley Navy (1939-05-13) May 13, 1939 (age 85) [25]
    Allan J. Kellogg Marine Corps (1943-10-01) October 1, 1943 (age 81) [26]
    Head and torso of a white man in a dark suit speaking and gesturing Bob Kerrey Navy (1943-08-27) August 27, 1943 (age 81) [9]
    Peter C. Lemon Army (1950-06-05) June 5, 1950 (age 74) [27]
    Gary L. Littrell Army (1944-10-26) October 26, 1944 (age 80) [28]
    James E. Livingston Marine Corps (1940-01-12) January 12, 1940 (age 84) [29]
    Allen James Lynch Army (1945-10-28) October 28, 1945 (age 79) [18]
    Walter Joseph Marm, Jr. Army (1941-11-20) November 20, 1941 (age 82) [30]
    James C. McCloughan Army (1946-04-30) April 30, 1946 (age 78) [31]
    Modrzejewski in 2011 Robert J. Modrzejewski Marine Corps (1934-07-03) July 3, 1934 (age 90) [32]
    Melvin Morris Army (1942-01-07) January 7, 1942 (age 82) [33]
    Thomas R. Norris Navy (1944-01-14) January 14, 1944 (age 80) [16]
    Head and shoulders of a white man with a pointed mustache, wearing a star-shaped medal on a blue ribbon around his neck. Robert Emmett O'Malley Marine Corps (1943-06-03) June 3, 1943 (age 81) [10]
    Patterson in 2012 Robert Martin Patterson Army (1948-04-16) April 16, 1948 (age 76) [34]
    Profile of a dark-haired man with a star-shaped medal hanging from his neck Alfred V. Rascon Army (1945-09-10) September 10, 1945 (age 79) [9]
    Ronald E. Ray Army (1941-12-07) December 7, 1941 (age 82) [35]
    Gordon Ray Roberts Army (1950-06-14) June 14, 1950 (age 74)
    Jose Rodela Army (1937-06-15) June 15, 1937 (age 87) [36]
    A color image showing 2nd Lieutenant Gary M. Rose from the chest up in his military uniform with ribbons. Gary M. Rose Army (1947-10-17) October 17, 1947 (age 77) [37]
    A gray-haired black man standing at a microphone, wearing a medal on a blue ribbon around his neck. Clarence Sasser Army (1947-09-12) September 12, 1947 (age 77) [38]
    James M. Sprayberry Army (1947-04-24) April 24, 1947 (age 77) [39]
    Kenneth E. Stumpf Army (1944-09-28) September 28, 1944 (age 80) [40]
    James Allen Taylor Army (1937-12-31) December 31, 1937 (age 86) [41]
    Brian Thacker Army (1945-04-25) April 25, 1945 (age 79) [10]
    Michael E. Thornton Navy (1949-03-23) March 23, 1949 (age 75) [9]
    Jay R. Vargas Marine Corps (1938-07-29) July 29, 1938 (age 86) [32] [42]
    Gary Wetzel Army (1947-09-29) September 29, 1947 (age 77) [43]

    War in Afghanistan

    Main article: List of post-Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients

    The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001 and was the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism. The war was launched by the United States, the United Kingdom, and NATO allies in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. The stated purpose of the invasion was to capture Osama bin Laden, destroy al-Qaeda, and remove the Taliban regime which had provided support and safe harbor to al-Qaeda.[44] Since 2001, 18 U.S. servicemen have received the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan, four of them posthumously.

    Image Name Branch Birth date and age Reference
    Edward Byers Navy (1979-08-04) August 4, 1979 (age 45)
    Kyle Carpenter Marine Corps (1989-10-17) October 17, 1989 (age 35)
    Ty Carter Army (1980-01-25) January 25, 1980 (age 44) [45]
    Head and torso portrait of a young white man in a formal military uniform with a U.S. flag in the background Salvatore Giunta Army (1985-01-21) January 21, 1985 (age 39) [46]
    Captain Florent Groberg Florent Groberg Army (1983-05-08) May 8, 1983 (age 41) [47]
    Dakota Meyer Marine Corps (1988-06-26) June 26, 1988 (age 36) [48]
    Leroy Petry Leroy Petry Army (1979-07-29) July 29, 1979 (age 45) [49]
    Ryan M. Pitts Army (1985-10-01) October 1, 1985 (age 39) [50]
    Clinton Romesha Army (1981-08-17) August 17, 1981 (age 43) [51]
    Britt K. Slabinski Navy (1969-12-01) December 1, 1969 (age 54) [52]
    William D. Swenson Army (1978-11-02) November 2, 1978 (age 46) [53]
    Sergeant Kyle J. White Kyle J. White Army (1987-03-27) March 27, 1987 (age 37) [54]
    Matthew O. Williams Army (1981-10-03) October 3, 1981 (age 43) [55]

    Iraq War

    Main article: List of post-Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients

    Six Iraq War veterans have received the Medal of Honor, five of them posthumously.

    Image Name Branch Birth date and age Reference
    David Bellavia Army (1975-11-10) November 10, 1975 (age 48) [56][57]

    Operation Inherent Resolve

    Main article: List of post-Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients

    One soldier received the Medal of Honor during the fight against ISIL.

    Image Name Branch Birth date and age Reference
    Sgt. Maj. Thomas "Patrick" Payne Thomas Payne Army (1984-04-02) April 2, 1984 (age 40) [58][59]

    Recently deceased

    Recipients who died within the last twelve months are listed below.[60]

    Image Name Branch Conflict Birth date Death date Place of death Ref.
    Bennie Adkins Army Vietnam War February 1, 1934 April 17, 2020 Opelika, Alabama [61]
    Ronald J. Shurer Army War in Afghanistan December 7, 1978 May 14, 2020 Washington, D.C. [62]
    Rosser in 2012 Ronald E. Rosser Army Korean War October 24, 1929 August 26, 2020 Bumpus Mills, Tennessee [63]

    References

    1. ^ http://www.cmohs.org/medal-statistics.php
    2. ^ United States Department of the Army (July 1, 2002). "Section 578.4 Medal of Honor". Code of Federal Regulations Title 32, Volume 2. Government Printing Office. Retrieved 2006-07-23.
    3. ^ "A Brief History — The Medal of Honor". Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Department of Defense. August 8, 2006. Archived from the original on June 15, 2009. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
    4. ^ "Invalid Entry". www.cmohs.org.
    5. ^ a b "Medal of Honor recipients". Statistics of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who received the Medal of Honor. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
    6. ^ "Group of Military Veterans Endorse Wamp For Governor". The Chattanoogan. Chattanooga, Tennessee. June 29, 2009. Archived from the original on June 4, 2010.
    7. ^ a b c Elson, Martha (November 10, 2010). "Sullivan will dedicate plaza to vets". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. Archived from the original on November 10, 2010.
    8. ^ Wolffis, Susan Harrison (November 11, 2006). "Muskegon's Medal of Honor winner 'just doing his job'". Muskegon Chronicle. Muskegon, Michigan. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
    9. ^ a b c d e "Medal of Honor - Recipients Bios". Arlington, Virginia: WETA-TV. 2010. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
    10. ^ a b c Williams, Rudi (June 14, 2004). "Nine Medal of Honor recipients Attend Gala". United States Department of Defense. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010.
    11. ^ The Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States at http://www.mohhsus.com/medal-of-honor shows 260 awards for Vietnam excluding the Vietnam Unknown listed with the group of nine Unknowns. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society at http://www.cmohs.org/medal-statistics.php lists 262 awards for Vietnam including the Vietnam Unknown. Both societies include US Navy recipient William McGonagle, in the Eastern Mediterranean on June 8, 1967, in their Vietnam totals.
    12. ^ Vargo, Joe (May 14, 2008). "Cross-country flight to honor lives lost in Vietnam". The Press-Enterprise. Riverside, California. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010.
    13. ^ Gooding, Mike (November 29, 2010). "Medal of Honor recipient says being corpsman isn't for everyone". Hampton, Virginia: WVEC. Archived from the original on November 30, 2010.
    14. ^ a b Vargo, Joe (March 2, 2008). "Medal of Honor recipients give support, thanks to fellow veterans". The Press-Enterprise. Riverside, California. Archived from the original on May 31, 2010.
    15. ^ "Army Cadet Henson Wins Medal of Honor Scholarship". Clarkson Integrator. Potsdam, New York: Clarkson University. September 18, 2006. Archived from the original on May 30, 2010.
    16. ^ a b c Marshall, John (November 11, 2003). "Medal of Honor recipient Patrick Brady epitomizes the humble hero". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Seattle, Washington. Archived from the original on May 31, 2010.
    17. ^ Miller, Robert (November 6, 2009). "Ridgefield veteran to head state parade". The News-Times. Danbury, Connecticut. Archived from the original on June 15, 2010.
    18. ^ a b c Reich, Howard (September 13, 2009). "Medal of Honor recipients say you can be hero too". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. Archived from the original on June 21, 2010.
    19. ^ Gittler, Juliana (November 23, 2003). "Medal of Honor recipient encourages peace". Stars and Stripes. Washington D.C. Archived from the original on July 2, 2010.
    20. ^ "Veterans speak of war service". East Valley Tribune. Mesa, Arizona. November 10, 2007. Archived from the original on July 2, 2010.
    21. ^ "Eight Medal of Honor recipients are buried in SD". News From Indian Country. Wisconsin. May 28, 2007. Archived from the original on July 2, 2010.
    22. ^ "Royals to host Tigers, Twins". Kansas City, Missouri: Kansas City Royals. April 16, 2003. Archived from the original on July 2, 2010.
    23. ^ Gaddis, Rebecca (June 18, 2009). "Medal of Honor recipient administers oath". Jax Air News. Jacksonville, Florida. Archived from the original on July 7, 2010.
    24. ^ DiIonno, Mark (June 15, 2010). "Medal of Honor recipient from N.J. swears in 300 U.S. Army recruits at Statue of Liberty". New Jersey On-Line. Archived from the original on July 7, 2010.
    25. ^ Haneisen, Rob (June 3, 2009). "Framingham veteran keeps Flag Day event alive". The MetroWest Daily News. Framingham, Massachusetts. Archived from the original on July 7, 2010.
    26. ^ O'Brien, B.J. (July 21, 2006). "Kellogg honored by alumni association". The Bethel Beacon. Bethel, Connecticut. Archived from the original on May 31, 2010.
    27. ^ Roper, Peter (May 13, 2010). "Medal of Honor golf tourney to host Fort Carson vets". The Pueblo Chieftain. Pueblo, Colorado. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010.
    28. ^ Archer, Bill (August 23, 2010). "'I had a job to do'". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Bluefield, West Virginia. Archived from the original on November 19, 2010.
    29. ^ Kropf, Schuyler (October 3, 2009). "Convention of heroes shaping up". The Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010.
    30. ^ Voss, Mike (April 23, 2010). "A healing wall". Washington Daily News. Washington, North Carolina. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010.
    31. ^ Fandos, Nicholas (2017-07-31). "Medal of Honor Goes to Vietnam Medic Who Ran Through 'Hell on Earth'". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
    32. ^ a b Liewer, Steve (November 11, 2007). "Medal of Honor process under fire". The San Diego Union-Tribune. San Diego, California. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010.
    33. ^ "Sergeant First Class Melvin Morris | Valor 24 | Medal of Honor | The United States Army". www.army.mil.
    34. ^ Griggs, Travis (October 17, 2010). "Wannabe warriors an 'insult' to their bravery". Pensacola News Journal. Pensacola, Florida. Archived from the original on October 17, 2010.
    35. ^ George, Justin (August 5, 2005). "A rare and Honorable gathering". St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. Archived from the original on July 7, 2010.
    36. ^ "Master Sergeant Jose Rodela | Valor 24 | Medal of Honor | The United States Army". www.army.mil.
    37. ^ "Captain Gary Michael Rose | Medal of Honor Recipient| U.S. Army". www.army.mil.
    38. ^ Tompkins, John (February 11, 2008). "Legion post pays tribute to Sasser". Brazosport Facts. Clute, Texas. Archived from the original on May 31, 2010.
    39. ^ Beyerle, Dana (June 25, 2000). "At first a casualty, Gadsden native became a hero". The Tuscaloosa News. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. p. 6A. Retrieved May 30, 2010.
    40. ^ Diedrich, John (August 22, 2007). "Medal of Honor is fake, say officials". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. p. 6B. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
    41. ^ Fattig, Paul (June 28, 2010). "Clothes suited for an honorable vet". Mail Tribune. Medford, Oregon. Archived from the original on July 7, 2010.
    42. ^ "Search | Arizona Department of
      Veterans' Services"      .
    43. ^ Wideman, Steve (May 22, 2010). "LZ Lambeau motorcycle ride kicks off event". The Post-Crescent. Appleton, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on June 4, 2010.
    44. ^ "The United States Army in Afghanistan". Operation Enduring Freedom. United States Army. March 17, 2006. Archived from the original on February 1, 2010. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
    45. ^ "Obama awards Ty Carter Medal of Honor for Afghan battle". BBC. August 26, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
    46. ^ Obert, Lori (February 10, 2012). "Blackhawk lands at Pepsi Center". Denver, Colorado: KUSA. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012.
    47. ^ Gibbons-Neff, Thomas (October 14, 2015). "This Army captain will get the Medal of Honor for tackling an Afghan suicide bomber". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
    48. ^ Lamothe, Dan (July 19, 2011). "Obama OKs Medal of Honor for living Marine". Marine Corps Times. Springfield, Virginia. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011.
    49. ^ "Army Ranger to be awarded Medal of Honor". Stars and Stripes. Washington, D.C. May 31, 2011. Archived from the original on June 1, 2011.
    50. ^ "Staff Sergeant Ryan M. Pitts, Medal of Honor". army.mil. July 21, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
    51. ^ Ogden, Eloise (January 12, 2013). "Minot man to receive Medal of Honor". Minot Daily News. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
    52. ^ Naval Special Warfare Command (2018-05-07). "Retired Master Chief Britt Slabinski to Receive Medal of Honor". navy.mil. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
    53. ^ "CAPTAIN WILLIAM D. SWENSON • MEDAL OF HONOR". army.mil. October 13, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
    54. ^ "Profile: Sergeant Kyle Jerome White". U.S. Army. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
    55. ^ Lange, Katie. "Medal of Honor Monday: Army Master Sgt. Matthew Williams". United States Department of Defense. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
    56. ^ Medal Of Honor Awarded To Iraq War Veteran
    57. ^ Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia
    58. ^ [1]
    59. ^ Sgt. Maj. Thomas Payne Will Be 1st Living Delta Force Member to Receive Medal of Honor
    60. ^ "Recently Departed". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. 2019. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
    61. ^ "Retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins, Medal of Honor Recipient from Opelika, Dies after COVID-19 Illness". Alabama News Network. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
    62. ^ "Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Ronald Shurer dies at 41". UPI. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
    63. ^ "Medal of Honor Recipient Ronald E. Rosser Passes Away at 90". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
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