List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II
This is a list of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II. 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" or an "opposing foreign force". Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously.[1]
World War II, or the Second World War, was a global military conflict, the joining of what had initially been two separate conflicts. The first began in Asia in 1937 as the Second Sino-Japanese War; the other began in Europe in 1939 with the German and Soviet invasion of Poland.[2] This global conflict split the majority of the world's nations into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis powers.
The United States was drawn into World War II on December 8, 1941, a day after the Axis-member Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Honolulu that killed almost 2,500 people in what was considered the biggest peacetime loss on American soil inflicted by foreign people at that time.
For actions during World War II, 472 United States military personnel received the Medal of Honor.[3] Seventeen of these were Japanese-Americans fighting in both Europe and the Pacific, many of which were upgraded from Distinguished Service Crosses during the Clinton administration. Additionally, Douglas Albert Munro was the only serviceman from the United States Coast Guard in United States military history to receive the Medal for his actions during the war.
The earliest action for which a U.S. serviceman earned a World War II Medal of Honor was the attack on Pearl Harbor, for which 17 U.S. servicemen were awarded a Medal, although they did so "while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force" rather than "enemy" since the United States was neutral during the events of December 7, 1941. The last action to earn a contemporaneous Medal of Honor prior to the August 15, 1945, end of hostilities in World War II, were those of Melvin Mayfield, on July 29, 1945 – though several honorees may have been cited for their Medal after Mayfield's recognition on May 31, 1946. Additionally, seven African-American and twenty-two Asian-American soldiers who had received the Distinguished Service Cross during the war were awarded the Medal of Honor in 1997 and 2000 – most of them posthumously – after two studies determined that racial discrimination had caused them to be overlooked at the time.[4]
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edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
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Lucian Adams | Army | Staff Sergeant | near St. Dié, France | October 28, 1944 | Personally killed 9 Germans, eliminated 3 enemy machine guns, vanquished a specialized force which was armed with automatic weapons and grenade launchers, cleared the woods of hostile elements, and reopened the severed supply lines to the assault companies of his battalion. | |
Harold C. Agerholm † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Saipan, Mariana Islands | July 7, 1944 | For single-handedly evacuating approximately 45 casualties under heavy rifle and mortar fire. | |
Beauford T. Anderson | Army | Technical Sergeant | Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | April 13, 1945 | Risked his life to save several of his fellow soldiers and repel an enemy attack single-handedly. | |
Richard B. Anderson † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Roi Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands | February 1, 1944 | In a shell crater, Richard B. Anderson hurled his body upon a grenade to save his companions, taking the full impact of the explosion. | |
Sylvester Antolak † | Army | Sergeant | near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy | May 24, 1944 | Near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, he charged 200 yards over flat, coverless terrain to destroy an enemy machine gun nest during the second day of the offensive which broke through the German cordon of steel around the Anzio beachhead. | |
Richard N. Antrim | Navy | Lieutenant | Makassar, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies | April 1942 | During the early part of his imprisonment at Makassar in April 1942, he saw a Japanese guard brutally beating a fellow prisoner of war and successfully intervened, at great risk to his own life. For his conspicuous act of valor, Antrim later received the Medal of Honor. | |
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Thomas E. Atkins | Army | Private First Class | Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippines | March 10, 1945 | Remained in his fox hole for 4 hours bearing the brunt of each enemy assault and maintaining fire until each charge was repulsed. |
B
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
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Kenneth D. Bailey † | Marine Corps | Major | Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | September 12, 1942 – September 13, 1942 | For repelling enemy offensive maneuvers, holding the main line and upholding friendly morale while sustaining fire from superior enemy forces despite a severe head wound. | |
Addison E. Baker † | Air Forces | Lieutenant Colonel | over Ploiești, Romania (Operation Tidal Wave) | August 1, 1943 | For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy on August 1, 1943. On this date he led his command, the 93d Heavy Bombardment Group, on a daring low-level attack against enemy oil refineries and installations at Ploiești, Romania. | |
Thomas A. Baker † | Army | Private | Saipan, Mariana Islands | June 19, 1944 – July 7, 1944 | On Saipan in the Mariana Islands, he advanced ahead of his unit with a bazooka and destroyed a Japanese emplacement which was firing on his company. Several days later, he single-handedly attacked and killed two groups of Japanese soldiers. On July 7, Baker's position came under attack by a large Japanese force. Although seriously wounded early in the attack, he refused to be evacuated and continued to fight in the close-range battle until running out of ammunition. When a comrade was wounded while trying to carry him to safety, Baker insisted that he be left behind. At his request, his comrades left him propped against a tree and gave him a M1911 pistol, which had eight bullets remaining. When American forces retook the position, they found the pistol, now empty, and eight dead Japanese soldiers around Baker's body. | |
Vernon J. Baker | Second Lieutenant | near Viareggio, Italy | April 5, 1945 – April 6, 1945 | Demonstrated outstanding courage and leadership in destroying enemy installations, personnel and equipment during his company's attack against a strongly entrenched enemy in mountainous terrain. One of seven African-American soldiers who received their medals belatedly, after a 1993 study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | ||
Van T. Barfoot | Technical Sergeant | near Carano, Italy | May 23, 1944 | "With his platoon heavily engaged during an assault against forces well entrenched on commanding ground, 2d Lt. Barfoot (then Tech. Sgt.) moved off alone upon the enemy left flank. He crawled to the proximity of 1 machine gun nest and made a direct hit on it with a hand grenade, killing 2 and wounding 3 Germans. He continued along the German defense line to another machine gun emplacement, and with his tommygun killed 2 and captured 3 soldiers. Members of another enemy machine gun crew then abandoned their position and gave themselves up to Sgt. Barfoot. Leaving the prisoners for his support squad to pick up, he proceeded to mop up positions in the immediate area, capturing more prisoners and bringing his total count to 17. Later that day, after he had reorganized his men and consolidated the newly captured ground, the enemy launched a fierce armored counterattack directly at his platoon positions. Securing a bazooka, Sgt. Barfoot took up an exposed position directly in front of 3 advancing Mark VI tanks. From a distance of 75 yards his first shot destroyed the track of the leading tank, effectively disabling it, while the other 2 changed direction toward the flank. As the crew of the disabled tank dismounted, Sgt. Barfoot killed 3 of them with his tommygun. He continued onward into enemy terrain and destroyed a recently abandoned German fieldpiece with a demolition charge placed in the breech. While returning to his platoon position, Sgt. Barfoot, though greatly fatigued by his Herculean efforts, assisted 2 of his seriously wounded men 1,700 yards to a position of safety. Sgt. Barfoot's extraordinary heroism, demonstration of magnificent valor, and aggressive determination in the face of pointblank fire are a perpetual inspiration to his fellow soldiers."[5] | ||
Carlton W. Barrett | Private | near St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France | June 6, 1944 | Joined the United States Army in Albany, New York, he was a member of, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Barrett was one of four Medal of Honor recipients on D-Day, June 6, 1944. | ||
John Basilone | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Lunga area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | October 24, 1942 – October 25, 1942 | On the night of October 24–25, 1942 his unit engaged the Japanese in the Lunga area when their position came under attack by a regiment of approximately 3,000 soldiers. The Japanese forces began a frontal attack using machine guns, grenades and mortars against the American heavy machine guns. Basilone commanded two sections of machine guns that fought for the next 48 hours until only Basilone and two other men were still able to continue fighting. Basilone moved an extra gun into position and maintained continual fire against the incoming Japanese forces. He repaired another machine-gun and personally manned it, holding the defensive line until replacements arrived. With the continuous fighting, ammunition became critically low and supply lines were cut off. Basilone fought through hostile lines and returned with urgently needed ammunition for his gunners. He was killed on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. He was the first Enlisted Marine to receive The Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, and Navy Cross. | |
Harold W. Bauer † | Lieutenant Colonel | South Pacific area | May 10, 1942 – November 14, 1942 | For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage as Squadron Commander of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO TWELVE in the South Pacific Area during the period May 10 to November 14, 1942. | ||
Lewis K. Bausell † | Corporal | Peleliu Island, Palau Group | September 15, 1944 | During combat at Peleliu, he covered an exploding Japanese hand grenade in order to protect his comrades, and died of his wounds three days later. Bausell was the only enlisted Marine from the Nation's capital, Washington, D.C. to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during World War II. | ||
Raymond O. Beaudoin † | Army | First Lieutenant | Hamelin, Germany | April 6, 1945 | By his intrepidity, great fighting skill, and supreme devotion to his responsibility for the well-being of his platoon, 1st Lt. Beaudoin single-handedly accomplished a mission that enabled a messenger to secure help which saved the stricken unit and made possible the decisive defeat of the German forces. | |
Bernard P. Bell | Technical Sergeant | Mittelwihr, France | December 18, 1944 | By his intrepidity and bold, aggressive leadership, T/Sgt. Bell enabled his 8-man squad to drive back approximately 150 of the enemy, killing at least 87 and capturing 42. Personally, he killed more than 20 and captured 33 prisoners. | ||
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Stanley Bender | Staff Sergeant | near La Londe les maures, France | August 17, 1944 | He had sparked and led the assault company in an attack which overwhelmed the enemy, destroying a roadblock, taking a town, seizing intact 3 bridges over the Maravenne River, and capturing commanding terrain which dominated the area. | |
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George Benjamin Jr. † | Private First Class | Leyte, Philippines | December 21, 1944 | He was severely wounded while leading an assault against a strongly defended Japanese position on the island of Leyte. After being evacuated to an aid station, he conveyed valuable information regarding the disposition of the Japanese emplacement to his superiors. | |
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Edward A. Bennett | Corporal | Heckhuscheid, Germany | February 1, 1945 | The fearless initiative, stalwart combat ability, and outstanding gallantry of Cpl. Bennett eliminated the enemy fire which was decimating his company's ranks and made it possible for the Americans to sweep all resistance from the town. | |
Mervyn S. Bennion † | Navy | Captain | West Virginia, Pearl Harbor | December 7, 1941 | While mortally wounded, he remained in command of his ship. For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage, and complete disregard of his own life, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. | |
Charles J. Berry † | Marine Corps | Corporal | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | March 3, 1945 | He landed on Iwo Jima on D-Day, February 19, 1945, and was killed in action on March 3, 1945, during the action which earned him the Medal of Honor. | |
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Vito R. Bertoldo | Army | Master Sergeant | Hatten, France | January 9, 1945 – January 10, 1945 | In Hatten, France, he manned a machine gun in defense of a command post being attacked by a numerically superior German force. When evacuation became necessary, he voluntarily stayed behind to cover the withdrawal. The next morning he moved to another command post, and again defended it against a continued assault by strong German forces and voluntarily covered the withdrawal of friendly forces when the post was abandoned. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor one year later, on January 10, 1946. |
Arthur O. Beyer | Corporal | near Arloncourt, Belgium | January 15, 1945 | Near Arloncourt, Belgium, he used hand grenades and his carbine to single-handedly destroy two German machine gun positions before working his way through a honey-combed series of enemy foxholes—killing and capturing German soldiers as he went. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman seven months later, on August 30, 1945. | ||
Willibald C. Bianchi † | First Lieutenant | near Bagac, Bataan Province, Philippines | February 3, 1942 | After the action near Bagac in the Bataan Province, Bianchi was among the troops captured by the Japanese at the fall of Bataan, on April 9, 1942. He was part of the Bataan "Death March," and was imprisoned in several Japanese prisoner of war camps, enduring horrible conditions. He was known for his compassion and efforts to better the lot of his fellow prisoners by bartering with their captors for extra food and medicine. On January 9, 1945, while imprisoned in an unmarked Japanese prison ship, Bianchi was killed instantly when an American plane, unaware that the ship contained American prisoners, dropped a 1,000-pound bomb in the cargo hold. | ||
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Melvin E. Biddle | Private First Class | near Soy, Belgium | December 23, 1944 – December 24, 1944 | When presenting the medal to Biddle, Truman whispered "People don't believe me when I tell them that I'd rather have one of these than be President." Biddle was decorated with 17 other soldiers that served in the Eastern Theater of Operations. | |
Elmer C. Bigelow † | Navy | Watertender First Class | USS Fletcher, off Corregidor Island, Philippines | February 14, 1945 | While assisting minesweeping operations prior to landings on Manila Bay's Corregidor Island, Fletcher was hit by an enemy shell penetrated the No. 1 gun magazine, igniting several powder cases. Bigelow picked up a pair of fire extinguishers and rushed below in a resolute attempt to quell the raging flames. Refusing to waste the precious time required to don rescue-breathing apparatus, Bigelow plunged through the blinding smoke billowing out of the magazine hatch and dropped into the blazing compartment. Despite the acrid, burning powder smoke which seared his lungs, he succeeded in quickly extinguishing the fires and in cooling the cases and bulkheads, thereby preventing further damage to the ship. However Bigelow was badly injured and succumbed to his injuries the following day. | |
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Arnold L. Bjorklund | Army | First Lieutenant | near Altavilla, Italy | September 13, 1943 | Near Altavilla, Italy, he single-handedly attacked and destroyed two German machine gun emplacements and a mortar position. |
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Orville E. Bloch | First Lieutenant | near Firenzuola, Italy | September 22, 1944 | Near Firenzuola, Italy, he led three soldiers in an attack on enemy positions which resulted in the capture of nineteen prisoners and the silencing of five machine gun nests. | |
Paul L. Bolden | Staff Sergeant | Petit-Coo, Belgium | December 23, 1944 | While his comrade provided covering fire from across the street, Bolden tossed grenades through a window, rushed to the door, and began firing. Wounded by the greatly superior number of German soldiers inside, he retreated from the house. Realizing that the Germans would not surrender, he returned to the house despite his serious wounds and killed the remaining soldiers. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor eight months later, on August 30, 1945. | ||
Cecil H. Bolton | First Lieutenant | Mark River, Holland | November 2, 1944 | After being severely wounded in the legs and rendered unconsciousness from a German shell, he advanced voluntarily towards several enemy emplacements and led his team through intense enemy fire, and eliminated several machine gunners and an 88-mm. artillery piece. | ||
Richard I. Bong | Air Forces | Major | over Borneo and Leyte | October 10, 1944 – November 15, 1944 | Fighter pilot in the Pacific theater shot down at least 40 Japanese aircraft, making him America's top ace. | |
Alexander Bonnyman Jr. † | Marine Corps | First Lieutenant | Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands | November 20, 1943 – November 22, 1943 | During a counterattack at the far end of Betio Pier, he directed and reorganized his pioneer party after suffering heavy bombardment, and directed the blowing of several hostile installations. Alexander Bonnyman Jr. then led his party into a renewed assault, effectively taking over a heavily fortified enemy emplacement, resulting in, approximately, 150 hostile troops being killed. | |
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Robert D. Booker † | Army | Private | near Fondouk, Tunisia | April 9, 1943 | While engaged in action against the enemy, he ran 200 yards of open ground with a machine gun and a box of ammunition, while under heavy fire from hostile machine gunners, mortar and artillery. |
William J. Bordelon † | Marine Corps | Staff Sergeant | Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands | November 20, 1943 | Surviving a counterattack and sustaining heavy fire, William J. Bordelon attacked several enemy emplacements with demolitions and disregarded his own serious condition in order to rescue and aid two of his men. | |
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George W. G. Boyce Jr. † | Army | Second Lieutenant | near Afua, New Guinea | July 23, 1944 | After being ambushed by superior enemy forces, he was planning a tactical maneuver with his platoon. During this planning, a hand grenade fell in between him and his men, and he promptly threw himself upon the grenade to save his men. |
Pappy Boyington | Marine Corps | Major | Central Solomons area | September 12, 1943 – January 3, 1944 | Fighter pilot with 26 victories. | |
Herschel F. Briles | Army | Staff Sergeant | near Scherpenseel, Germany | November 20, 1944 | With a comrade at his side, Herschel left his vehicle and rescued 2 critically wounded soldiers from a burning destroyer and extinguished the fire, which had been hit by an artillery shell near Scherpenseel, Germany, on November 20, 1944. The next morning, he forced 55 Germans to surrender, armed with only a machine gun, allowing fellow Americans to pass through the junction the Nazis occupied. Later that day, another destroyer was hit by a concealed enemy tank, where he again rescued 2 allies from the wreckage with the help of a fellow soldier. | |
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Maurice L. Britt | First Lieutenant | North of Mignano, Italy | November 10, 1943 | Played football for the Detroit Lions, later Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas. | |
Leonard C. Brostrom † | Private First Class | near Dagami, Leyte, Philippines | October 28, 1944 | During an ambush, his platoon sustained heavy fire from well-camouflaged emplacements which resulted in severe casualties. After noticing a weak point in the enemy fortification, Leonard C. Brostrom charged without hesitation to flush out the enemies. During this, he was a prime target and was killed in action, but his company managed to reorganize and assault the enemy. | ||
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Bobbie E. Brown | Captain | Crucifix Hill, Aachen, Germany | October 8, 1944 | ||
John D. Bulkeley | Navy | Lieutenant Commander | Philippine waters | December 7, 1941 – April 10, 1942 | ||
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Frank Burke | Army | First Lieutenant | Nuremberg, Germany | April 17, 1945 | Also known as Francis X. Burke. |
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Elmer J. Burr † | First Sergeant | Buna, New Guinea | December 24, 1942 | For smothering a grenade with his body, sacrificing himself to save others around him. | |
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Herbert H. Burr | Staff Sergeant | near Dorrmoschel, Germany | March 19, 1945 | He was awarded the Medal of Honor for not bailing on his mission and single-handedly destroying an 88mm anti-tank turret by driving a damaged tank over top of the gun. He also continued to destroy a German truck and directed medics to his injured men on foot while running through sniper fire. | |
James M. Burt | Captain | near Wurselen, Germany | October 13, 1944 | Commanded an infantry-tank attack while exposed to enemy fire, as well as ran through 75 yards through heavy fire to assist the infantry battalion commander who was seriously wounded. | ||
Richard E. Bush | Marine Corps | Corporal | Mount Yaedake, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | April 16, 1945 | Bush was a Squad Leader serving with the First Battalion, Fourth Marines, Sixth Marine Division, in action against Japanese forces during the final assault against Mt. Yaetake on Okinawa. He led his troops up the rocky precipice, over the ridge and drove out defending Japanese troops. He fought relentlessly in the forefront of the attack until being evacuated due to his wounds. Although prostrate under medical treatment when a Japanese grenade landed in the midst of his group, he pulled it into his body, taking the full force of the blast and saving the lives of his fellow marines. He was one of the four surviving marines who shielded grenades with their bodies during World War II. | |
Robert E. Bush | Navy | Hospital Apprentice First class | Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | May 2, 1945 | Hospital Corpsman serving with Marines. | |
John E. Butts † | Army | Second Lieutenant | Normandy, France | June 14, 1944, June 16, 1944, and June 23, 1944 | Butts served with the U.S. Army, E Company, 60th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Division during the invasion of France in 1944. He was severely wounded on three occasions and continued leading his men until June 23 when he was killed. He was 21 years of age. |
C
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
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William R. Caddy † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | March 3, 1945 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body in order to save the lives of his platoon leader and platoon sergeant | |
Daniel J. Callaghan † | Navy | Rear Admiral | Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Savo Sound, Solomon Islands | November 12, 1942 – November 13, 1942 | He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his ship's part in taking back the Solomon Islands from the Japanese. His heavy cruiser, the San Francisco, along with three light cruisers and another heavy cruiser drove the Japanese out of the area. This alongside the Battle of Midway was a major turning point for the Allied Forces. | |
Jose Calugas | Army | Sergeant | Culis, Bataan Province, Philippines | January 16, 1942 | He was born in Leon, Iloilo, Philippines to Filipino parents. Organized a squad of volunteers to man an artillery position under heavy fire. Received a direct commission and became a United States citizen. Retiring from the Army, he settled in Tacoma, Washington. | |
George H. Cannon † | Marine Corps | First Lieutenant | Sand Island, Midway Atoll | December 7, 1941 | Refused to be evacuated from his post until after his men, who had been wounded by the same shell that wounded him, were evacuated, and directed the reorganization of his Command Post until forcibly removed. | |
Pedro Cano † | Army | Private | Schevenhütte, Germany | December 2, 1944 – December 3, 1944 | Repeatedly risked his life destroying enemy machine gun positions using rockets and grenades, in support of his own and adjacent infantry company | |
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Alvin P. Carey † | Staff Sergeant | near Plougastel, Brittany, France | August 23, 1944 | Mortally wounded while single-handedly attacking an enemy pillbox | |
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Charles F. Carey Jr. † | Technical Sergeant | Rimling, France | January 8, 1945 – January 9, 1945 | ||
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Chris Carr | Sergeant | near Guignola, Italy | October 1, 1944 – October 2, 1944 | ||
Horace S. Carswell Jr. † | Air Forces | Major | over the South China Sea | October 26, 1944 | Assigned to the 14th USAAF in China, Carswell was flying a B-24 Liberator on the night of October 26, 1944, on a single-aircraft mission against a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea. He elected to make a second low-level run over a thoroughly alerted convoy and scored two direct hits on a large tanker. His co-pilot was wounded, and his aircraft had two engines knocked out, a third damaged, the hydraulic system damaged, and a fuel tank punctured. He managed to gain enough altitude to reach land, where he ordered the crew to bail out. Eight did, but the bombardier's parachute was too badly damaged to use. Instead of bailing out, Carswell stayed with the bombardier and the wounded co-pilot, and attempted a crash landing. The badly damaged aircraft crashed against a mountain, and all three aboard were killed. | |
Edward A. Carter Jr. | Army | Staff Sergeant | near Speyer, Germany | March 23, 1945 | One of seven African-American soldiers who received their medals belatedly, after a 1993 study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. Carter served with an armored infantry unit of the Seventh Army Infantry Company Number 1 (Provisional), a unit manned by volunteers and used to support depleted divisions following the Battle of the Bulge. On March 23, 1945, Carter engaged the enemy when the tank he was riding on was hit by bazooka fire. Forced to dismount, he led three soldiers across an open field. In the process, two of the men were killed and the other seriously wounded. Carter continued alone and was wounded five times before being forced to take cover. Eight German soldiers tried to capture him, but he killed six of them and captured the remaining two as prisoners. | |
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Anthony Casamento | Marine Corps | Corporal | Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | November 1, 1942 | When all members of his machine gun squad were killed or severely wounded, he continued to man a machine gun, single-handedly holding off a large Japanese force despite multiple wounds himself. He was belatedly awarded the Medal of Honor in 1980. |
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Frederick W. Castle † | Air Forces | Brigadier General | Germany | December 24, 1944 | |
Justice M. Chambers | Marine Corps | Lieutenant Colonel | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | February 19, 1945 – February 22, 1945 | Led the 8-hour battle to carry the flanking ridge top and reduce the enemy's fields of aimed fire, thus protecting the vital foothold gained | |
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Ralph Cheli † | Air Forces | Major | near Wewak, New Guinea | August 18, 1943 | |
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Ernest Childers | Army | Second Lieutenant | Oliveto, Italy | September 22, 1943 | |
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Clyde L. Choate | Staff Sergeant | near Bruyeres, France | October 25, 1944 | ||
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Dale E. Christensen † | Second Lieutenant | Driniumor River, New Guinea | July 16, 1944 – July 19, 1944 |
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Herbert F. Christian † | Private | near Valmontone, Italy | June 2, 1944 – June 3, 1944 | ||
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Joseph J. Cicchetti † | Private First Class | South Manila, Luzon, Philippines | February 9, 1945 | ||
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Francis J. Clark | Technical Sergeant | near Kalborn, Luxembourg and near Sevenig, Germany | September 12, 1944 and September 17, 1944 | ||
Mike Colalillo | Private First Class | near Untergriesheim, Germany | April 7, 1945 | |||
Darrell S. Cole † | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | February 19, 1945 | Namesake of USS Cole (DDG-67). | |
Robert G. Cole † | Army | Lieutenant Colonel | near Carentan, France | June 11, 1944 | For leading a charge across a field swept by German machine guns and artillery. | |
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Garlin Murl Conner | First Lieutenant | Houssen, France | January 24, 1945 | ||
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James P. Connor | Sergeant | Cape Cavalaire, southern France | August 15, 1944 | ||
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Raymond H. Cooley | Staff Sergeant | near Lumboy, Luzon, Philippines | February 24, 1945 | ||
Charles H. Coolidge | Technical Sergeant | East of Belmont sur Buttant, France | October 24, 1944 – October 27, 1944 |
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Henry A. Courtney Jr. † | Marine Corps | Major | Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | May 14, 1945 – May 15, 1945 | For leading his battalion in a successful night attack up a fiercely defended hill, personally killing many Japanese before he himself was killed. | |
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Richard E. Cowan † | Army | Private First Class | near Krinkelter Wald, Belgium | December 17, 1944 | |
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Clarence B. Craft | Private First Class | Hen Hill, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | May 31, 1945 | ||
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Robert Craig † | Second Lieutenant | near Favoratta, Sicily | July 11, 1943 | Single-handedly destroyed an Italian machine gun nest before laying down covering fire for his entire platoon. | |
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Morris E. Crain † | Technical Sergeant | Haguenau, France | March 13, 1945 | When a house defended by some of his men came under intense attack from German soldiers and a tank, he ordered the men to withdraw while he held the position alone. He was killed when the house was destroyed by German fire. | |
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Demas T. Craw † | Air Forces | Colonel | near Port Lyautey, French Morocco | November 8, 1942 | |
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William J. Crawford | Army | Private | near Altavilla, Italy | September 13, 1943 | Listed as MIA, Crawford's MoH was originally presented posthumously to Crawford's father. Crawford was later discovered to be a PoW. President Reagan re-presented Crawford's MoH to him at the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1984 graduation. |
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John R. Crews | Staff Sergeant | near Lobenbacherhof, Germany | April 8, 1945 | ||
John P. Cromwell † | Navy | Captain | USS Sculpin, off Truk Island | November 19, 1943 | Stayed aboard a sinking submarine to prevent military secrets he possessed from falling into enemy hands. | |
Francis S. Currey | Army | Sergeant | Malmedy, Belgium | December 21, 1944 | Rescued several men and women while destroying a building with enemy soldiers. |
D
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
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Edward C. Dahlgren | Army | Sergeant | Oberhoffen, France | February 11, 1945 | ||
Peter J. Dalessandro | Technical Sergeant | near Kalterherberg, Germany | December 22, 1944 | |||
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Michael J. Daly | First Lieutenant | Nuremberg, Germany | April 18, 1945 | ||
Anthony P. Damato † | Marine Corps | Corporal | Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands | February 19, 1944 – February 20, 1944 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body | |
Albert L. David | Navy | Lieutenant, Junior Grade | off French West Africa | June 4, 1944 | For leading a boarding party that successfully captured the German submarine U-505. | |
Rudolph B. Davila | Army | Staff Sergeant | near Artena, Italy | May 28, 1944 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | |
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Charles W. Davis | Captain | Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | January 12, 1943 | ||
George F. Davis † | Navy | Commander | USS Walke, Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippines | January 6, 1945 | ||
James L. Day | Marine Corps | Corporal | Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | May 14, 1945 – May 17, 1945 | After most of his Marines were wounded or killed, he manned a machine gun and killed more than 100 enemy soldiers despite multiple wounds over a period of several days. He was belatedly awarded the Medal of Honor in 1998. | |
Samuel D. Dealey † | Navy | Commander | USS Harder, near Philippines | Jun 6, 1944 – Jun 10, 1944 | ||
Jefferson J. DeBlanc | Marine Corps | Captain | off Kolombangara Island, New Georgia Group, Solomon Islands | January 31, 1943 | For downing five Japanese aircraft in a single action | |
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Arthur F. DeFranzo † | Army | Staff Sergeant | near Vaubadon, France | June 10, 1944 | |
Charles N. DeGlopper † | Private First Class | Merderet River at la Fiere, France | June 9, 1944 | |||
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Emile Deleau Jr. † | Sergeant | Oberhoffen, France | February 1, 1945 – February 2, 1945 | ||
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Ernest H. Dervishian | Technical Sergeant | near Cisterna, Italy | May 23, 1944 | ||
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James H. Diamond † | Private First Class | Mintal, Mindanao, Philippines | May 8, 1945 – May 14, 1945 | ||
—
|
Robert H. Dietz † | Staff Sergeant | Kirchain, Germany | March 29, 1945 | ||
Jimmy Doolittle | Air Forces | Lieutenant Colonel | over Japan | April 18, 1942 | For leading the Doolittle Raid over the Japanese mainland. | |
Desmond T. Doss | Army | Private First Class | near Urasoe Mura, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | April 29, 1945 – May 21, 1945 | The first conscientious objector to receive a Medal of Honor, for saving many lives while acting as a medic. During the Battle of Okinawa, Pfc. Doss single-handedly entered enemy line of fire to retrieve approximately 75 casualties, carrying them one-by-one down a 400-foot escarpment. He later, on separate occasions, rescued a man 200 yards on the same escarpment, treated 4 men within 8 yards of an enemy's cave, treated and administered plasma to an injured artillery officer while continually under fire, and 25 feet from an enemy position, treated and carried another soldier 100 feet to safety. Finally, while he was giving aid to injured soldiers under fire, he was himself injured in the legs by a grenade. He tended his own wounds while he waited for his fellow soldiers to bring a litter. When they arrived, he saw another soldier injured worse and directed the bearers to rescue him first. While waiting for their return, he was shot in the arm. He strapped a gun stock to his arm as splint and crawled the 300 yards of rough terrain to the aid station. He also saved injured Japanese soldiers. | |
—
|
Jesse R. Drowley | Staff Sergeant | Bougainville, Solomon Islands | January 30, 1944 | ||
Russell E. Dunham | Technical Sergeant | near Kayserberg, France | January 8, 1945 | |||
Robert H. Dunlap | Marine Corps | Captain | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | February 20, 1945 – February 21, 1945 | Risked his life to gather intelligence about and direct fire on enemy gun positions | |
—
|
John W. Dutko † | Army | Private First Class | near Ponte Rotto, Italy | May 23, 1944 | |
Aquilla J. Dyess † | Marine Corps | Lieutenant Colonel | Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands | February 1, 1944 – February 2, 1944 | For leading his battalion in pushing the Japanese out of their positions before he was killed |
E
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Merritt A. Edson | Marine Corps | Colonel | Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | September 13, 1942 – September 14, 1942 | For successfully leading his battalion in the defense of a vital ridge, inflicting heavy casualties against the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. He was previously awarded two Navy Crosses. | |
Walter D. Ehlers | Army | Staff Sergeant | near Goville, France | June 9, 1944 – June 10, 1944 | ||
Henry T. Elrod † | Marine Corps | Captain | Wake Island | December 8, 1941 – December 23, 1941 | For fearlessly engaging an overwhelming enemy force and single-handedly shooting down two planes and sinking a Japanese warship, before he was killed while leading the beach defenses. | |
—
|
Gerald L. Endl † | Army | Staff Sergeant | near Anamo, New Guinea | July 11, 1944 | |
Harold G. Epperson † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Saipan, Mariana Islands | June 25, 1944 | For repelling a determined Japanese assault before sacrificing his life by smothering a grenade with his body | |
Henry E. Erwin | Air Forces | Staff Sergeant | Koriyama, Japan | April 12, 1945 | For locating and ejecting a burning phosphorus smoke grenade from a B-29 cockpit during a raid on Koriyama, Japan. The burns nearly killed him and left him badly disfigured. | |
Ray E. Eubanks † | Army | Sergeant | Noemfoor Island, Dutch New Guinea | July 23, 1944 | ||
Ernest E. Evans † | Navy | Commander | USS Johnston, off Samar | October 25, 1944 | For heroic actions as captain of the destroyer U.S.S. Johnston during the Battle Off Samar, 25 October 1944. Upon sighting a massive Japanese force of Battleships and Heavy Cruisers transiting to attack General Douglas MacArthur's 200,000 encamped troops at Red Beach, Leyte, Philippines, Commander Evans broke formation and charged his heavily outmatched destroyer directly toward the enemy force, completing a successful torpedo attack that sank one of the Heavy Cruisers and that threw the force into disarray. His courageous actions inspired similar attacks from other destroyers in the task unit, prompting the task unit commander, Rear Admiral Clifton Sprague, to order all destroyers in the task unit to break formation and attack. When enemy shellfire obliterated the bridge of his ship, Commander Evans shifted his command to the fantail, steering the ship by giving orders through an open hatch to men turning the rudder by hand. Despite suffering the severe mutilation of his left hand early in the attack and being covered in blood from his wounds, he continued to outmaneuver and outgun the opposing force in what amounted to almost three hours of combat. The attacking Japanese force was ultimately driven into retreat, preventing a deadly assault on the Army landing forces at Leyte. His ship eventually sank from the battle damage and the remaining survivors endured over 70 hours in shark-infested waters. Commander Evans was not found among the survivors. | |
Forrest E. Everhart | Army | Technical Sergeant | near Kerling, France | November 12, 1944 |
F
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
John P. Fardy † | Marine Corps | Corporal | Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | May 7, 1945 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body | |
Robert E. Femoyer † | Air Forces | Second Lieutenant | over Merseburg, Germany | November 2, 1944 | ||
—
|
James H. Fields | Army | First Lieutenant | Rechicourt, France | September 27, 1944 | |
John W. Finn | Navy | Chief Aviation ordnanceman | Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii | December 7, 1941 | Stationed at NAS Kaneohe Bay, HI, he demonstrated extraordinary valor during the Japanese air assault on Oahu. Finn manned an exposed 50-caliber machine gun stand and returned significant fire upon Japanese aircraft. Despite numerous painful wounds, he remained at his post and inflicted heavy damage upon the Japanese until ordered to seek medical attention. CPO Finn was the first to receive the Medal of Honor for action in World War II during which the U.S. was neutral. | |
—
|
Almond E. Fisher | Army | Second Lieutenant | near Grammont, France | September 12, 1944 – September 13, 1944 | |
Francis C. Flaherty † | Navy | Ensign | Pearl Harbor, Hawaii | December 7, 1941 | During the evacuation of USS Oklahoma, he remained in a turret, holding a flashlight so the remainder of the turret crew could see to escape, thereby sacrificing his own life. | |
Richard E. Fleming † | Marine Corps | Captain | Midway Atoll | June 4, 1942 – June 5, 1942 | For taking command after his squadron commander was shot down, leading several attacks on Japanese ships before he himself was shot down. | |
Eugene B. Fluckey | Navy | Commander | USS Barb, along east coast of China | December 19, 1944 – February 15, 1945 | ||
Joseph J. Foss | Marine Corps | Captain | over Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | October 9, 1942 – November 19, 1942 and January 1943 | For shooting down 26 aircraft as leader of the Flying Circus. Later became 20th Governor of South Dakota. First commissioner of the American Football League. | |
William A. Foster † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | May 2, 1945 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body | |
—
|
William G. Fournier † | Army | Sergeant | Mount Austen, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | January 10, 1943 | |
—
|
Thomas W. Fowler † | Second Lieutenant | near Carano, Italy | May 23, 1944 | ||
John R. Fox † | First Lieutenant | near Sommocolonia, Italy | December 26, 1944 | One of seven African-American soldiers who received their medals belatedly, after a 1993 study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. A forward observer with the 366th Infantry Regiment of the segregated 92nd Infantry Division, Fox deliberately ordered his own artillery to fire on top of his position to repel a German advance. When Fox was told that he would not survive the barrage, he replied, "Fire it!" His action permitted U.S. forces - who had been forced to withdraw - to organize a counterattack and regain control of the village. | ||
—
|
Elmer E. Fryar † | Private | Leyte, Philippines | December 8, 1944 | ||
Leonard A. Funk Jr. | First Sergeant | Holzheim , Belgium | January 29, 1945 | |||
Samuel G. Fuqua | Navy | Lieutenant Commander | Pearl Harbor, Hawaii | December 7, 1941 | Incapacitated in the initial bombing of USS Arizona, he recovered to direct the fighting of the fires and the rescue of wounded and injured personnel. He stayed on deck through the continuous bombing and strafing, leading in a calm and cool manner that resulted in the saving of many lives. |
G
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Robert E. Galer | Marine Corps | Major | Solomon Islands area | Aug 1942 – Sep 1942 | For service in the Solomon Islands as the leader of a Marine fighter squadron. | |
William W. Galt † | Army | Captain | Villa Crocetta, Italy | May 29, 1944 | For his leadership and courage in directing an assault against an entrenched force that had repulsed two previous attacks. | |
Archer T. Gammon † | Staff Sergeant | near Bastogne, Belgium | January 11, 1945 | While under fire from a German machine gun and tank, counterattacked the German force and forced them to retreat with grenade and small arms fire. | ||
Joe Gandara † | Private | Amfreville, France | June 9, 1944 | Advanced voluntarily and alone toward an enemy position and destroyed three hostile machine guns before being fatally wounded. | ||
Marcario Garcia | Private | near Grosshau, Germany | November 27, 1944 | After realizing that his company could not advance because it was pinned down by enemy machine gun fire, on his own initiative, went alone and destroyed 2 enemy emplacements and captured 4 prisoners. Despite being wounded himself, he continued to fight on with his unit until the objective was taken. | ||
Harold A. Garman | Private | near Montereau, France | August 25, 1944 | When a boat loaded with wounded came under fire from a German machine gun on the opposite river bank, he dove into the river braving enemy machine gun fire to tow the boat to safety. | ||
Donald A. Gary | Navy | Lieutenant, Junior Grade | Japanese home islands near Kobe, Japan | March 19, 1945 | For braving hazardous conditions on the USS Franklin when it was hit by enemy fire to save sailors trapped inside the vessel's hull. | |
—
|
Robert E. Gerstung | Army | Technical Sergeant | Siegfried Line near Berg, Germany | December 19, 1944 | |
—
|
Eric G. Gibson † | Technician 5th Grade | near Isola Bella, Italy | January 28, 1944 | ||
Howard W. Gilmore † | Navy | Commander | USS Growler, southwest Pacific | January 10, 1943 – February 7, 1943 | While wounded on the bridge and unable to get below in time, gave the order for the submarine to crash dive to avoid an imminent attack, sacrificing himself to save the ship and the crew. | |
Harold Gonsalves † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | April 15, 1945 | While laying telephone lines for communication with the artillery battalion in Okinawa, he saved two other Marines after flinging himself atop of a Japanese grenade and taking the full brunt of the resulting explosion allowing the other two men to complete the mission. | |
David M. Gonzales † | Army | Private First Class | Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippines | April 25, 1945 | During intense combat, his company was pinned down by enemy machine gun fire. Despite the grave danger, he went to the aid of his fellow soldiers who had been buried in a bomb explosion. Digging them out with his bare hands and a shovel, under continuous enemy fire, he managed to rescue three of the men before being mortally wounded. His selfless actions and sacrifice allowed his unit to continue their advance and contributed significantly to their mission's success. | |
Nathan G. Gordon | Navy | Lieutenant, Junior Grade | Bismarck Sea | February 15, 1944 | Later Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas | |
Donald J. Gott † | Air Forces | First Lieutenant | Saarbrücken, Germany | November 9, 1944 | Piloted a B-17 aircraft on a bombing run on Saarbrücken. Even though his plane was severely damaged and set ablaze by anti-aircraft fire which wounded the engineer and the radio operator, Gott and co-pilot William E. Metzger Jr. successfully dropped their bombs on the target and flew the plane to friendly territory. After having their crew bail out except for the unconscious radio operator, Gott and Metzger attempted to crashland the plane to save their helpless comrade. The plane exploded, killing the three remaining crewmembers on board. | |
—
|
William J. Grabiarz † | Army | Private First Class | Manila, Luzon, Philippines | February 23, 1945 | For using his body to shield a wounded officer from hostile fire. |
Ross F. Gray † | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | February 21, 1945 | Single-handedly overcame a strong enemy garrison and completely disarmed a large mine field before finally rejoining his unit. | |
—
|
Stephen R. Gregg | Army | Technical Sergeant | near Montelimar, France | August 27, 1944 | |
—
|
Kenneth E. Gruennert † | Sergeant | near Buna, New Guinea | December 24, 1942 | ||
Henry Gurke † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Bougainville, Solomon Islands | November 9, 1943 | Fell on a grenade that landed in his foxhole, saving the man with him |
H
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Barney F. Hajiro | Army | Private | near Bruyeres and Biffontaine, eastern France | October 19, 1944, October 22, 1944, and October 29, 1944 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | |
—
|
George J. Hall | Staff Sergeant | near Anzio, Italy | May 23, 1944 | Single-handedly captured two German machine gun positions and was severely wounded while attempting to take a third, resulting in him having to self-amputate his right leg. | |
—
|
Lewis Hall † | Technician 5th Grade | Mount Austen, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | January 10, 1943 | During a Japanese attack he refused an order to withdraw after many men in his unit had been killed or wounded and, with a fellow soldier, stayed behind to man a machine gun. | |
William E. Hall | Navy | Lieutenant, Junior Grade | Coral Sea | May 7, 1942 – May 8, 1942 | Dive bombed a Japanese aircraft carrier, contributing greatly to its destruction. The next day, he attacked a superior number of Japanese planes and shot down three. Although his craft was damaged and he was seriously wounded in this attack, he managed to land safely. | |
—
|
Sherwood H. Hallman † | Army | Staff Sergeant | Brest, Brittany, France | September 13, 1944 | |
William D. Halyburton Jr. † | Navy | Pharmacist's Mate Second class | Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | May 10, 1945 | Killed shielding a wounded Marine with his body while administering aid. | |
Pierpont M. Hamilton | Air Forces | Major | near Port Lyautey, French Morocco | November 8, 1942 | ||
Owen F. P. Hammerberg † | Navy | Boatswain's mate Second class | West Loch, Pearl Harbor | February 17, 1945 | Rescued two other divers trapped beneath a sunken LST before he himself became trapped and perished. | |
Dale M. Hansen † | Marine Corps | Private | Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | May 7, 1945 | For destroying two hostile positions with a rocket launcher and hand grenades, killing 12 Japanese | |
Robert M. Hanson † | Marine Corps | First Lieutenant | Bougainville Island and New Britain Island | November 1, 1943 and January 24, 1944 | One of the top Marine aces, he shot down a total of 25 enemy aircraft before he himself was shot down and killed. He was also awarded the Navy Cross. | |
—
|
Roy W. Harmon † | Army | Sergeant | near Casaglia, Italy | July 12, 1944 | |
Harry R. Harr † | Corporal | near Maglamin, Mindanao, Philippines | June 5, 1945 | |||
William G. Harrell | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | March 3, 1945 | Risked his life to defend his position against a larger enemy force | |
—
|
James L. Harris † | Army | Second Lieutenant | Vagney, France | October 7, 1944 | |
Mikio Hasemoto † | Private | near Cerasuolo, Italy | November 29, 1943 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | ||
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|
Joe R. Hastings † | Private First Class | Drabenderhohe, Germany | April 12, 1945 | ||
Louis J. Hauge Jr. † | Marine Corps | Corporal | Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | May 14, 1945 | For single-handedly charging and knocking out two enemy machine gun positions before he was killed. | |
—
|
John D. Hawk | Army | Sergeant | near Chambois, France | August 20, 1944 | |
William D. Hawkins † | Marine Corps | First Lieutenant | Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands | November 20, 1943 – November 21, 1943 | For leading attacks on multiple enemy positions, knocking five out before he was badly wounded, but persisting in knocking out another three before he was killed. | |
Lloyd C. Hawks | Army | Private First Class | near Carano, Italy | January 30, 1944 | ||
Joe Hayashi † | Private | near Tendola, Italy | April 20, 1945 and April 22, 1945 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | ||
Shizuya Hayashi | Private | near Cerasuolo, Italy | November 29, 1943 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | ||
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|
Clinton M. Hedrick † | Technical Sergeant | near Lembeck, Germany | March 27, 1945 – March 28, 1945 | ||
James R. Hendrix | Private | near Assenois, Belgium | December 26, 1944 | |||
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|
Robert T. Henry † | Private | Luchem, Germany | December 3, 1944 | ||
Silvestre S. Herrera | Private First Class | near Mertzwiller, France | March 15, 1945 | |||
Rufus G. Herring | Navy | Lieutenant, Junior Grade | as commanding officer aboard a landing craft, USS LCI (G) 449, Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | February 17, 1945 | Maintained position in the firing line with his 20-mm guns in action in the face of sustained enemy fire and conned his crippled ship to safety | |
Edwin J. Hill † | Chief Boatswain | Pearl Harbor, Hawaii | December 7, 1941 | During the height of the strafing and bombing of USS Nevada, led his men of the linehandling details to the quays, cast off the lines and swam back to his ship. Back on board, while attempting to let go the anchors, was blown overboard and killed by the explosion of several bombs. | ||
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|
Freeman V. Horner | Army | Staff Sergeant | Wurselen, Germany | November 16, 1944 | On October 30, 1945, United States Army Officer Freeman V. Horner was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during World War II. During the second World War, Sergeant Freeman Horner and his company were stationed in Nazi Germany. On November 16, 1944, Sergeant Horner and his company were attacking Wurselen, Germany, and were experiencing heavy resistance. He ran into enemy lines thinking he was safe, and immediately had enemy firing at him. He was able to make it all the way over there and was able to destroy over 9 machine guns. He went on to live his life in Columbus, Georgia, with his wife, who cared for him until his death of a brain aneurysm. |
James H. Howard | Air Forces | Major | over Oschersleben, Germany | January 11, 1944 | Only fighter pilot in the European Theater of Operations in World War II to be awarded the Medal of Honor | |
Paul B. Huff | Army | Corporal | near Carano, Italy | February 8, 1944 | February 8, 1944, near Carano, Italy, Huff led a reconnaissance patrol while under heavy fire from German forces. For his actions during the patrol, Huff received the Medal of Honor three months later, on May 26.He led a 6 man patrol into German grounds, and was found in an open fire with the enemy. Knowing the danger, he left his patrol and continued on by himself. He crawled over 75 yards to get to them. He was able to kill them while kneeling with his submachine gun. Before leaving the army, Huff reached the highest enlisted rank, command sergeant major, a position which carried the responsibilities of being the senior enlisted advisor to the commanding officer and a monitor for, and advocate of, the enlisted men in the command. He was survived by his wife, Betty Cunnyngham Huff. Paul Huff Parkway, a major thoroughfare in Cleveland, Tennessee, is named in his honor,as is the Paul B. Huff Army Reserve Center, located in Nashville. | |
Lloyd Herbert Hughes † | Air Forces | Second Lieutenant | Ploiești Raid, Romania | August 1, 1943 | ||
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|
Johnnie D. Hutchins † | Navy | Seaman First class | aboard a landing ship, USS LST 473, off Lae, New Guinea | September 4, 1943 |
I
editImage | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Daniel K. Inouye | Army | Second Lieutenant | near San Terenzo, Italy | April 21, 1945 | Later became a U.S. Senator representing Hawaii. Served as President pro tempore of the United States Senate and was third in line to the Presidency of the United States; prior to Kamala Harris becoming Vice President, was the highest ranking Asian-American politician in U.S. history. One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. Inouye was attacked by three machine gun nests while advancing up a hill near San Terenzo, Italy. One attacked him wounding his abdomen. He then proceeded, while under fire, to attack two of the nests with grenades and then his Thompson sub-machine gun. While drawing a grenade to attack the third nest, he was hit by some German shrapnel that nearly tore off his right arm. Somehow, he was able to throw the grenade that he picked back up with his left arm into the nest and then continued to use his machine gun to continue to attack the German gunners. |
J
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
—
|
Isadore S. Jachman † | Army | Staff Sergeant | Flamierge, Belgium | January 4, 1945 | |
Arthur J. Jackson | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Peleliu Island, Palau Group | September 18, 1944 | For single-handedly destroying 12 enemy pillboxes and killing 50 enemy soldiers. | |
Douglas T. Jacobson | Private First Class | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | February 26, 1945 | Risked his life by destroying a total of sixteen enemy positions and approximately 75 Japanese | ||
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|
Willy F. James Jr. † | Army | Private First Class | near Lippoldsberg, Germany | April 7, 1945 | One of seven African-American soldiers who received their medals belatedly, after a 1993 study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. |
John L. Jerstad † | Air Forces | Major | Ploiești Raid, Romania | August 1, 1943 | ||
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Elden H. Johnson † | Army | Private | near Valmontone, Italy | June 3, 1944 | |
Leon W. Johnson | Air Forces | Colonel | Ploiești Raid, Romania | August 1, 1943 | A United States Air Force general who was awarded the Medal of Honor for leading the attack on the Ploesti oil fields during World War II. Following the raid on Ploesti, one of the war's costliest aerial encounters for all concerned, Johnson was awarded the Medal of Honor. | |
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|
Leroy Johnson † | Army | Sergeant | near Limon, Leyte, Philippines | December 15, 1944 | |
—
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Oscar G. Johnson | Private First Class | near Scarperia, Italy | September 16, 1944 – September 18, 1944 | ||
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William J. Johnston | Private First Class | Anzio, Italy[6] | February 17, 1944 – February 19, 1944 | Johnston was a machine gunner attached to the Third Platoon of his company and that platoon was the furthest advanced element in the Company's defenses. About eighty Germans advanced under the cover of an artillery barrage in the darkness and were within about 200 yards of the platoon's positions when they were discovered by Johnston who was at his gun. He manned his machine gun and the attack was halted. All during the day, without relief, he remained with his weapon and fired at every target that presented itself. One German worked up the draw so close to the position that the machine gun could not be brought to bear upon him. Johnston drew his pistol and killed him. As the day wore on, it became evident that if the Company was to escape it would have to begin its movement. Not everyone could get out. Johnson volunteered to stay. Afterwards an artillery shell made what almost amounted to a direct hit on Johnston's position and shell fragments penetrated into the left portion of his chest. An examination indicated that he was dying. The rapid advance of large numbers of the Germans prevented any evacuation. A few minutes later one of the last men to withdraw saw Johnston trying to crawl up to his machine gun. At Johnston's request he was helped to his gun and left believing that he was dying. A few minutes later the Company heard the machine gun in action. It continued to fire for about 10 minutes. Afterwards the gun went silent. The Germans passed him as he lay in his position, and, believing him to be dead, stole his shoes. The next day, he painfully worked his way through the German lines to the 180th Regiment, after having been reported by the Company as killed in action. Despite his weakened condition, he gave accurate and vital information about the German positions on the base of which effective firing that was compiled.[6] | |
Herbert C. Jones † | Navy | Ensign | Pearl Harbor, Hawaii | December 7, 1941 | Organized and led a party to supply ammunition to the antiaircraft battery of USS California after the mechanical hoists were put out of action when he was fatally wounded by a bomb explosion. When 2 men attempted to take him from the area, he ordered "Leave me alone! I am done for. Get out of here before the magazines go off." | |
Joseph R. Julian † | Marine Corps | Platoon Sergeant | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | March 9, 1945 | Sacrificed his life to eliminate an enemy threat |
K
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
—
|
Victor L. Kandle † | Army | First Lieutenant | near La Forge, France | October 9, 1944 | |
—
|
John R. Kane | Air Forces | Colonel | Ploiești Raid, Romania | August 1, 1943 | |
Neel E. Kearby | Colonel | near Wewak, New Guinea | October 11, 1943 | For facing 12 to 1 odds at low fuel against Lieutenant Colonel Teranishi's force | ||
George D. Keathley † | Army | Staff Sergeant | Mt. Altuzzo, Italy | September 14, 1944 | After suffering a mortal wound in his left side from a hand grenade, he refused to take cover. He continued to battle the enemy and shout orders to his soldiers. After the platoons of Company B repulsed numerous counterattacks, the enemy withdrew. Staff Sergeant Keathley died shortly after victory was achieved. | |
—
|
Gus Kefurt † | Staff Sergeant | near Bennwihr, France | December 23, 1944 – December 24, 1944 | ||
Jonah E. Kelley † | Staff Sergeant | Kesternich, Germany | January 30, 1945 – January 31, 1945 | |||
—
|
Ova A. Kelley † | Private | Leyte, Philippines | December 8, 1944 | ||
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|
Charles E. Kelly | Corporal | near Altavilla, Italy | September 13, 1943 | ||
—
|
John D. Kelly † | Corporal | Fort du Roule, Cherbourg, France | June 25, 1944 | ||
Thomas J. Kelly | Corporal | Alemert, Germany | April 5, 1945 | |||
Reinhardt J. Keppler † | Navy | Boatswain's Mate First class | USS San Francisco, Solomon Islands | November 12, 1942 – November 13, 1942 | ||
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Dexter J. Kerstetter | Army | Private First Class | near Galiano, Luzon, Philippines | April 13, 1945 | |
—
|
Patrick L. Kessler † | Private First Class | near Ponte Rotto, Italy | May 23, 1944 | ||
Isaac C. Kidd † | Navy | Rear Admiral | Pearl Harbor, Hawaii | December 7, 1941 | Remained on the bridge of USS Arizona, discharging his duties as Commander of Battleship Division One and Senior Officer Present Afloat even as the ship blew up from magazine explosions, until a direct bomb hit on the bridge resulted in the loss of his life. | |
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Truman Kimbro † | Army | Technician 4th Grade | near Rocherath, Belgium | December 19, 1944 | After repeated attempts to take his squad across a road to lay mines were repulsed by withering fire, Kimbro ordered his squad to stay behind while he crawled across the road alone. Seriously wounded in his advance, Kimbro was able to successfully lay mines on the other side of the road, which helped delay the advance of enemy armor. While trying to return to his squad, Kimbro was killed by intense enemy machine gun and rifle fire. |
—
|
Harold G. Kiner † | Private | near Palenberg, Germany | October 2, 1944 | ||
David R. Kingsley † | Air Forces | Second Lieutenant | Ploiești Raid, Romania | June 23, 1944 | Sacrificed himself by giving away his parachute to the injured tailgunner of his crew whose parachute was lost. He then died when his B-17 crashed | |
Elbert L. Kinser † | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | May 4, 1945 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body | |
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Gerry H. Kisters | Army | Sergeant | near Gagliano, Sicily | July 31, 1943 | |
—
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Alton W. Knappenberger | Private First Class | near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy | February 1, 1944 | ||
—
|
Jack L. Knight † | First Lieutenant | near LoiKang, Burma | February 2, 1945 | ||
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|
Raymond L. Knight † | Air Forces | First Lieutenant | northern Po Valley, Italy | April 24, 1945 – April 25, 1945 | |
Yeiki Kobashigawa | Army | Technical Sergeant | near Lanuvio, Italy | June 2, 1944 | Destroyed multiple enemy machine gun nests in the vicinity of Lanuvio, Italy. One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | |
Richard E. Kraus † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Peleliu Island, Palau Group | October 3, 1944 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body | |
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Anthony L. Krotiak † | Army | Private First Class | Balete Pass, Luzon, Philippines | May 8, 1945 | |
Robert T. Kuroda † | Staff Sergeant | near Bruyeres, France | October 20, 1944 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. |
L
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
James D. La Belle † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | March 8, 1945 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body | |
Salvador J. Lara | Army | Staff Sergeant | Aprilia, Italy | May 27, 1944 – May 28, 1944 | Aggressively led his rifle squad in neutralizing multiple enemy strongpoints and inflicting large numbers of casualties, and resumed the attack the next day despite receiving a severe leg wound. | |
William R. Lawley Jr. | Air Forces | First Lieutenant | over Europe | February 20, 1944 | ||
Robert E. Laws | Army | Staff Sergeant | Pangasinan Province, Luzon, Philippines | January 12, 1945 | ||
—
|
Daniel W. Lee | Second Lieutenant | Montreval, France | September 2, 1944 | ||
John H. Leims | Marine Corps | Second Lieutenant | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | March 7, 1945 | Risked his life to rescue several wounded Marines | |
—
|
Turney W. Leonard † | Army | First Lieutenant | Kommerscheidt, Germany | November 4, 1944 – November 6, 1944 | |
William F. Leonard | Staff Sergeant | Near St. Die, France | November 7, 1944 | Led an assault continuously swept by enemy automatic fire, killing two snipers, and, despite bullets wounds to his back, destroyed two machine guns and captured a roadblock objective. | ||
—
|
Fred F. Lester † | Navy | Hospital Apprentice First class | Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | June 8, 1945 | |
—
|
Darrell R. Lindsey † | Air Forces | Captain | L'Isle Adam railroad bridge over the Seine, France | August 9, 1944 | |
—
|
Jake W. Lindsey | Army | Technical Sergeant | near Hamich, Germany | November 16, 1944 | |
—
|
Floyd K. Lindstrom † | Private First Class | near Mignano, Italy | November 11, 1943 | ||
—
|
Edgar H. Lloyd † | First Lieutenant | near Pompey, France | September 14, 1944 | ||
Donald R. Lobaugh † | Private | near Afua, New Guinea | July 22, 1944 | |||
—
|
James M. Logan | Sergeant | near Salerno, Italy | September 9, 1943 | ||
Jose M. Lopez | Sergeant | near Krinkelt, Belgium | December 17, 1944 | |||
Jacklyn H. Lucas | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | February 20, 1945 | Youngest recipient since the Civil War (turned 17 just 5 days before Iwo Jima D-Day) | |
Jack Lummus † | Marine Corps | First Lieutenant | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | March 8, 1945 | Had earlier played football for the New York Giants |
M
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
George L. Mabry Jr. | Army | Lieutenant Colonel | Hurtgen Forest near Schevenhütte, Germany | November 20, 1944 | ||
Douglas MacArthur | General | Bataan Peninsula, Philippines | April 1, 1942 | With his father, Arthur MacArthur Jr., became first father and son pair to both receive the Medal of Honor. | ||
Charles A. MacGillivary | Sergeant | near Woelfling, France | January 1, 1945 | Immigrant from Canada. | ||
John D. Magrath † | Private First Class | near Castel d'Aiano, Italy | April 14, 1945 | |||
—
|
Joe E. Mann † | Private First Class | Best, Holland | September 18, 1944 | ||
Harry L. Martin † | Marine Corps | First Lieutenant | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | March 26, 1945 | Sacrificed his life to help rescue some of his men who had been overrun by the enemy. | |
Joe P. Martinez † | Army | Private | Attu, Aleutians | May 26, 1943 | First private to earn the medal in World War II and the first and only soldier to earn such medal in a battle that occurred on American soil | |
Leonard F. Mason † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Asan-Adelup Beachhead, Guam, Mariana Islands | July 22, 1944 | For single-handedly knocking out two enemy machine guns despite being mortally wounded | |
—
|
Archibald Mathies † | Air Forces | Sergeant | over Germany | February 20, 1944 | |
—
|
Jack W. Mathis † | First Lieutenant | over Vegesack, Germany | March 18, 1943 | ||
Robert D. Maxwell | Army | Technician 5th Grade | near Besançon, France | September 7, 1944 | ||
—
|
Martin O. May † | Private First Class | legusuku-Yama, Ie Shima, Ryukyu Islands | April 19, 1945 – April 21, 1945 | Defended his machine gun position for 3 days against Japanese attacks, even when wounded, thus maintaining the American lines. Refusing to withdraw when his machine gun was disabled, he used hand grenades to fight to his death. | |
—
|
Melvin Mayfield | Corporal | Cordillera Mountains, Luzon, Philippines | July 29, 1945 | Mayfield's actions, on July 29, 1945, were the last to earn a Medal of Honor prior to the August 15, 1945, end of hostilities in World War II – though some honorees may have been cited for their Medal after Mayfield's recognition on May 31, 1946. | |
—
|
Thomas E. McCall | Staff Sergeant | near San Angelo, Italy | January 22, 1944 | ||
David McCampbell | Navy | Commander | First and second battles of the Philippine Sea | June 19, 1944 | Top Navy flying ace with 34 kills, was also awarded the Navy Cross | |
Bruce McCandless | Commander | Battle off Savo Island | November 12, 1942 – November 13, 1942 | |||
Robert H. McCard † | Marine Corps | Gunnery Sergeant | Saipan, Mariana Islands | June 16, 1944 | For saving the lives of his tank crewmen. | |
Lloyd G. McCarter | Army | Private | Corregidor, Philippines | February 16, 1945 – February 19, 1945 | ||
Joseph J. McCarthy | Marine Corps | Captain | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | February 21, 1945 | Risked his life to eliminate several enemy troops so his men could move forward | |
—
|
Richard M. McCool | Navy | Lieutenant | off Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | June 10, 1945 – June 11, 1945 | Off the coast of Okinawa Island, McCool helped rescue the survivors of sinking destroyer USS William D. Porter. The next day, his own ship was hit by a Japanese kamikaze. Although he suffered severe burns and shrapnel wounds in the initial explosion, McCool continued to lead his crew in the firefighting and rescue efforts until relief arrived. |
—
|
Charles L. McGaha | Army | Master Sergeant | near Lupao, Luzon, Philippines | February 7, 1945 | |
—
|
Vernon McGarity | Technical Sergeant | near Krinkelt, Belgium | December 16, 1944 | ||
William D. McGee † | Private | near Mulheim, Germany | March 18, 1945 | |||
—
|
Troy A. McGill † | Sergeant | Los Negros Islands, Admiralty Group | March 4, 1944 | ||
—
|
Francis X. McGraw † | Private First Class | near Schevenhütte, Germany | November 19, 1944 | ||
Thomas B. McGuire Jr. † | Air Forces | Major | over Luzon, Philippines | December 25, 1944 – December 26, 1944 | The second leading air ace in World War II before being killed in action in January 1945. McGuire Air Force Base is named for him. | |
—
|
John R. McKinney | Army | Private | Tayabas Province, Luzon, Philippines | May 11, 1945 | |
Robert M. McTureous Jr. † | Marine Corps | Private | Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | June 7, 1945 | For attacking multiple enemy positions with hand grenades, diverting fire away from stretcher-bearers before he was fatally wounded | |
John J. McVeigh † | Army | Sergeant | near Brest, France | August 29, 1944 | ||
—
|
William A. McWhorter † | Private First Class | Leyte, Philippines | December 5, 1944 | ||
—
|
John W. Meagher | Technical Sergeant | near Ozato, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | June 19, 1945 | ||
Manuel V. Mendoza | Master Sergeant | Mt. Battaglia, Italy | October 4, 1944 | Single-handedly broke up a German counterattack. | ||
Gino J. Merli | Private First Class | near Sars la Bruyere, Belgium | September 4, 1944 – September 5, 1944 | Held off German troops overnight, even when his machine gun nest was captured. | ||
—
|
Joseph F. Merrell † | Private | near Lohe, Germany | April 18, 1945 | Single-handedly attacked German positions which were firing on his unit. He disabled two enemy machine gun emplacements and killed nearly two dozen German soldiers before he was himself killed, at the age of 18. | |
—
|
Harold O. Messerschmidt † | Sergeant | near Radden, France | September 17, 1944 | ||
—
|
William E. Metzger Jr. † | Air Forces | Second Lieutenant | Saarbrücken, Germany | November 9, 1944 | Co-piloted a B-17 aircraft on a bombing run on Saarbrücken. Even though his plane was severely damaged and set ablaze by anti-aircraft fire which wounded the engineer and the radio operator, Metzger and pilot Donald J. Gott successfully dropped their bombs on the target and flew the plane to friendly territory. After having their crew bail out except for the unconscious radio operator, Metzger and Gott attempted to crashland the plane to save their helpless comrade. The plane exploded, killing the three remaining crewmembers on board. |
Edward S. Michael | First Lieutenant | over Germany | April 11, 1944 | |||
—
|
Harry J. Michael † | Army | Second Lieutenant | near Neiderzerf, Germany | March 14, 1945 | |
—
|
Andrew Miller † | Staff Sergeant | from Woippy, France to Kerprich Hemmersdorf, Germany | November 16, 1944 – November 29, 1944 | ||
James H. Mills | Private | near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy | May 24, 1944 | |||
—
|
John W. Minick † | Staff Sergeant | near Hurtgen, Germany | November 21, 1944 | ||
—
|
Nicholas Minue † | Private | near MedjezelBab, Tunisia | April 28, 1943 | ||
Jimmie W. Monteith Jr. † | First Lieutenant | near Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France | June 6, 1944 | |||
Jack C. Montgomery | First Lieutenant | near, Padiglione, Italy | February 22, 1944 | |||
—
|
Harold H. Moon Jr. † | Private | Pawig, Leyte, Philippines | October 21, 1944 | ||
John C. Morgan | Air Forces | Second Lieutenant | over Germany | July 28, 1943 | ||
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|
Edward J. Moskala † | Army | Private First Class | Kakazu Ridge, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | April 9, 1945 | |
Kaoru Moto | Private First Class | near Castellina, Italy | July 7, 1944 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. On his own initiative he defeated a machine gun nest killing one soldier and taking a second one prisoner and forced an additional machine gun team to retreat. Even though wounded by sniper fire and relieved of his position, he defeated another machine gun nest on his way back to the rear, taking three more prisoners. | ||
—
|
Charles E. Mower † | Sergeant | near Capoocan, Leyte, Philippines | November 3, 1944 | ||
—
|
Joseph E. Muller † | Sergeant | near Ishimmi, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | May 15, 1945 – May 16, 1945 | ||
Sadao S. Munemori † | Private First Class | near Seravezza, Italy | April 5, 1945 | For taking out two machine-gun emplacements and jumping onto a grenade to save 2 soldiers. | ||
Douglas A. Munro † | Coast Guard | Signalman First class | off Point Cruz, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | September 27, 1942 | Only member of the Coast Guard to receive the Medal of Honor. | |
Kiyoshi K. Muranaga † | Army | Private First Class | near Suvereto, Italy | June 26, 1944 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | |
Audie L. Murphy | Second Lieutenant | near Holtzwihr, France | January 26, 1945 |
One of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II, receiving every military combat award for valor available from the U.S. Army, as well as French and Belgian awards for heroism. | ||
Frederick C. Murphy † | Private First Class | Siegfried Line at Saarlautern, Germany | March 18, 1945 | |||
Charles P. Murray Jr. | First Lieutenant | near Kaysersberg, France | December 16, 1944 |
N
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Masato Nakae † | Army | Private | near Pisa, Italy | August 19, 1944 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | ||
Shinyei Nakamine † | Private | near La Torreto, Italy | June 2, 1944 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | |||
William K. Nakamura † | Private First Class | near Castellina, Italy | July 4, 1944 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | |||
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|
William L. Nelson † | Sergeant | Djebel Dardys, Northwest of Sedjenane, Tunisia | April 24, 1943 | |||
—
|
Ralph G. Neppel | Sergeant | Birgel, Germany | December 14, 1944 | Upon returning to America after World War II, Ralph George Neppel received the Medal of Honor for continuing to man his machine gun during the Battle of the Bulge after German fire severed his leg. By staying at his post during the battle he helped destroy German reserves who were thrown at American forces. After he was discharged from the military he returned to Iowa.
Neppel passed away at the age of 63 in 1987. |
||
Robert B. Nett | First Lieutenant | near Cognon, Leyte, Philippines | December 14, 1944 | ||||
John D. New † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Peleliu Island, Palau Group | September 25, 1944 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body | ||
—
|
Beryl R. Newman | Army | First Lieutenant | near Cisterna, Italy | May 26, 1944 | For single-handedly destroying three machine gun emplacements. | |
—
|
Alfred B. Nietzel † | Sergeant | Heistern, Germany | November 18, 1944 | When an enemy assault threatened to overrun his unit's position, Nietzel covered for the retreating members of his squad, expending all his ammunition and holding his post until being killed. One of 24 soldiers who received their medals in 2014, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked. | ||
Alexander R. Nininger † | Second Lieutenant | near Abucay, Bataan, Philippines | January 12, 1942 | ||||
Joe M. Nishimoto † | Private First Class | near La Houssiere, France | November 7, 1944 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. |
O
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
—
|
William J. O'Brien † | Army | Lieutenant Colonel | Saipan, Mariana Islands | June 20, 1944 – July 7, 1944 | |
Joseph T. O'Callahan | Navy | Lieutenant Commander | near Kobe, Japan | March 19, 1945 | Chaplain aboard aircraft carrier USS Franklin. | |
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|
Carlos C. Ogden | Army | First Lieutenant | near Fort du Roule, France | June 25, 1944 | |
Edward H. O'Hare | Navy | Lieutenant | off Papua New Guinea | February 20, 1942 | O'Hare International Airport in Chicago was named in his memory. | |
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Allan M. Ohata † | Army | Sergeant | near Cerasuolo, Italy | November 29, 1943 – November 30, 1943 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. |
Richard H. O'Kane | Navy | Commander | Philippines | October 23, 1944 – October 24, 1944 | For submarine operations as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Tang operating against two enemy Japanese convoys. Maneuvering on the surface into the midst of a heavily escorted convoy, O'Kane landed hits on three tankers, swung his ship to fire at a freighter and shot out of the path of an onrushing transport. Boxed in by blazing tankers, a freighter, transport, and several destroyers, he blasted two of the targets and cleared the area. Twenty-four hours later, he made contact with another heavily escorted convoy. In the midst of relentless enemy fire, he sent two torpedoes into the first and second transports and an adjacent tanker. He charged the enemy at high speed, exploding the tanker in a burst of flame, smashing the transport dead in the water, and blasting the destroyer. He fired his last two torpedoes at the remnants of the convoy before the second torpedo malfunctioned, performing a circular run and hitting the Tang in the stern. O'Kane along with eight officers survived the sinking. He remained a Japanese prisoner-of-war until 1945. | |
James K. Okubo † | Army | Technician 5th Grade | Foret Domaniale de Champ, near Biffontaine, France | October 28, 1944 – October 29, 1944 and November 4, 1944 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | |
Yukio Okutsu | Technical Sergeant | on Mount Belvedere, Italy | April 7, 1945 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | ||
Arlo L. Olson † | Captain | crossing of the Volturno River, Italy | October 13, 1943 | |||
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|
Truman O. Olson † | Sergeant | near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy | January 30, 1944 – January 31, 1944 | ||
Frank H. Ono † | Private First Class | near Castellina, Italy | July 4, 1944 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | ||
Nicholas Oresko | Master Sergeant | near Tettingen, Germany | January 23, 1945 | For single-handedly destroying two bunkers while being seriously wounded. Was oldest living Medal of Honor recipient until passing on October 4, 2013. | ||
Kazuo Otani † | Staff Sergeant | near Pieve Di S. Luce, Italy | July 15, 1944 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | ||
Robert A. Owens † | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Cape Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands | November 1, 1943 | Charged an enemy bunker housing a 75-mm. gun which was inflicting heavy casualties on the landing force, throwing himself through the gunport, and chasing the crew out of the bunker before he was killed. | |
Joseph W. Ozbourn † | Private | Tinian, Mariana Islands | July 30, 1944 | Private Ozbourn saved the lives of four fellow Marines by jumping on the top of a live hand grenade. |
P
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mitchell Paige | Marine Corps | Platoon Sergeant | Battle for Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | October 26, 1942 | For manning several machine guns after all of his men were killed or wounded, holding off a large Japanese force before leading a bayonet charge | |
John J. Parle † | Navy | Ensign | aboard a landing ship, USS LST 375, off Sicily | July 9, 1943 – July 10, 1943 | ||
Laverne Parrish † | Army | Technician 4th Grade | Binalonan, Luzon, Philippines | January 18, 1945 – January 24, 1945 | ||
—
|
Harl Pease Jr. † | Air Forces | Captain | near Rabaul, New Britain | August 6, 1942 – August 7, 1942 | |
—
|
Forrest E. Peden † | Army | Technician 5th Grade | near Biesheim, France | February 3, 1945 | Forrest Peden enlisted into the army in February 1943, and by February 3, 1945 he was serving as a Technician 5th Grade in Battery C. While in action that day, he had a traumatic experience causing death among his unit. They were ambushed by a larger enemy force. Peden ran for help even though there were enemies firing intensely upon. He ended up finding an allied tank, before leading it back to the site but died when the tank was hit by hostile fire. He received the medal for his actions to protect his unit from heavy fire. |
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|
Jack J. Pendleton † | Staff Sergeant | Bardenberg, Germany | October 12, 1944 | ||
Frank D. Peregory † | Technical Sergeant | Grandcampe, France | June 8, 1944 | On D-Day +2, Sgt Frank D. Peregory chose to singlehandedly assault the heavily fortified and protected French village of Grandcampe-les-Bains (Point-du-Hoc Sector), Normandy. The strong point objective had previously received, firstly, a barrage from an allied cruiser off the Normandy coast, before heavy artillery and tank fire – all to no avail. It was after this that Sgt Peregory made his way up the hill (strong point approach), under heavy fire. He successfully negotiated the hill approach and entered a trench killing eight enemy and capturing three. After passing the prisoners onto command, he re-entered the trench at a point further along towards the strong point. According to witnesses in Peregory's company, after considerable time, Sgt Peregory eventually reappeared from out of the trenches with thirty-two German prisoners. Fellow soldiers who witnessed Sgt Peregory's actions, state that he had used hand grenades in the incursion (having no rifle or handgun on his person), before the remaining Germans surrendered. The 116th Infantry (of which Sgt Peregory was contingent), was reassigned two days after actions at Grandcampe-les-Bains, on the 13th June. The following day, Sgt Peregory assaulted an enemy machine gun position and was killed in action. The medal that was meant to be awarded in person, was awarded posthumously. | ||
Manuel Perez Jr. † | Private First Class | Fort William McKinley, Luzon, Philippines | February 13, 1945 | |||
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George J. Peters † | Private | near Fluren, Germany | March 24, 1945 | ||
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|
George Peterson † | Staff Sergeant | near Eisern, Germany | March 30, 1945 | ||
Oscar V. Peterson † | Navy | Chief Watertender | USS Neosho, Battle of the Coral Sea | May 7, 1942 | ||
Frank J. Petrarca † | Army | Private First Class | Horseshoe Hill, New Georgia, Solomon Islands | July 27, 1943 | ||
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|
Jackson C. Pharris | Navy | Gunner | Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii | December 7, 1941 | In charge of an ordnance repair party on USS California, severely injured by explosions and twice rendered unconscious by nauseous oil fumes while setting up a hand-supply ammunition train for the antiaircraft guns, ordering shipfitters to counterflood to address a list (keeping the California in action), repeatedly entered flooding compartments to drag unconscious shipmates to safety. |
—
|
Wesley Phelps † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Peleliu Island, Palau Group | October 4, 1944 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body |
George Phillips † | Private | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | March 14, 1945 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body | ||
Francis J. Pierce | Navy | Pharmacist's Mate First class | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | March 15, 1945 – March 16, 1945 | Risked his life to save several wounded Marines and volunteered for a mission to eliminate an enemy threat | |
John J. Pinder Jr. † | Army | Technician 5th Grade | near Colleville-sur-Mer, France | June 6, 1944 | ||
Everett P. Pope | Marine Corps | Captain | Peleliu Island, Palau Group | September 19, 1944 – September 20, 1944 | For leading his company in the capture of a steep coral hill and holding it throughout the night despite repeated enemy attacks and the loss of most of his men | |
John V. Power † | Marine Corps | First Lieutenant | Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands | February 1, 1944 | Although painfully wounded, he charged an enemy position and was killed in the doorway of a pillbox. | |
John J. Powers † | Navy | Lieutenant | over the Coral Sea and adjacent waters | May 4, 1942 – May 8, 1942 | ||
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Leo J. Powers | Army | Private First Class | northwest of Cassino, Italy | February 3, 1944 | |
Arthur M. Preston | Navy | Lieutenant | Wasile Bay, Halmahera Island | September 16, 1944 | Lt. Comdr. (then Lieutenant) Preston received The Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commander, Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 33, while effecting the rescue of a Navy pilot shot down in Wasile Bay, Halmahera Island, less than 200 yards from a strongly defended Japanese dock and supply area, September 16, 1944. Volunteering for a perilous mission unsuccessfully attempted by the pilot's squadron mates and a PBY plane, Lt. Comdr. (then Lieutenant) Preston led PT-489 and PT-363 through 60 miles of restricted, heavily mined waters. Twice turned back while running the gauntlet of fire from powerful coastal defense guns guarding the 11-mile strait at the entrance to the bay, he was again turned back by furious fire in the immediate area of the downed airman. Aided by an aircraft smoke screen, he finally succeeded in reaching his objective and, under vicious fire delivered at 150-yard range, took the pilot aboard and cleared the area, sinking a small hostile cargo vessel with 40-mm. fire during retirement. Increasingly vulnerable when covering aircraft were forced to leave because of insufficient fuel, Lt. Comdr. Preston raced PT boats 489 and 363 at high speed for 20 minutes through shell-splashed water and across minefields to safety. Under continuous fire for 2+1⁄2 hours, Lt. Comdr. Preston successfully achieved a mission considered suicidal in its tremendous hazards, and brought his boats through without personnel casualties and with but superficial damage from shrapnel. His exceptional daring and great personal valor enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. | |
—
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Ernest W. Prussman † | Army | Private First Class | near Les Coates, Brittany, France | September 8, 1944 | |
—
|
Donald D. Pucket † | Air Forces | First Lieutenant | Ploiești Raid, Romania | July 9, 1944 |
R
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lawson P. Ramage | Navy | Commander | USS Parche, south of Taiwan | July 31, 1944 | Sunk enemy ships in gallant action. | |
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Bernard J. Ray † | Army | First Lieutenant | Hurtgen Forest near Schevenhütte, Germany | November 17, 1944 | |
—
|
James W. Reese † | Private | Mt. Vassillio, Sicily | August 5, 1943 | Sent mortars into enemy position in the line of fire so that his comrades can get across the hill. Shot down after the mortars were finally used up. | |
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|
John N. Reese Jr. † | Private First Class | Paco Railroad Station, Manila, Philippines | February 9, 1945 | Private First Class John N. Reese Jr was engaged in the attack on the Paco Railroad Station, which was strongly defended by 300 determined enemy soldiers with machine guns and rifles, supported by several pillboxes, three 20mm. guns, one 37-mm. gun and heavy mortars.
His platoon was halted 100 yards from the station by intense enemy fire. On his own initiative, he left the platoon, accompanied by a comrade, and continued forward to a house 60 yards from the objective. Although under constant enemy observation, the two men remained in this position for an hour, firing at targets of opportunity, killing more than 35 Japanese and wounding many more. Moving closer to the station and discovering a group of Japanese replacements attempting to reach pillboxes, they opened heavy fire, killed more than 40 and stopped all subsequent attempts to man the emplacements. Enemy fire became more intense as they advanced to within 20 yards of the station. From that point Pfc. Reese provided effective covering fire and courageously drew enemy fire to himself while his companion killed seven Japanese and destroyed a 20-mm. gun and heavy machine gun with hand grenades. With their ammunition running low, the two men started to return to the American lines, alternately providing covering fire for each other as they withdrew. During this movement, Pfc. Reese was killed by enemy fire as he reloaded his rifle. The intrepid team, in two and one-half hours of fierce fighting, killed more than 82 Japanese, completely disorganized their defense and paved the way for subsequent complete defeat of the enemy at this strong point.[7] | |
Thomas J. Reeves † | Navy | Chief Radioman | USS California, Pearl Harbor | December 7, 1941 | After the mechanized ammunition hoists were put out of action in USS California, in a burning passageway, assisted in ammunition supply by hand to the antiaircraft guns until he was killed by smoke and fire. | |
Milton E. Ricketts † | Lieutenant | USS Yorktown, Battle of the Coral Sea | May 8, 1942 | |||
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|
Paul F. Riordan † | Army | Second Lieutenant | near Cassino, Italy | February 3, 1944 – February 8, 1944 | |
Ruben Rivers † | Staff Sergeant | toward Guebling, France | November 15, 1944 – November 19, 1944 | One of seven African-American soldiers who received their medals belatedly, after a 1993 study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. From his citation "for extraordinary heroism" in an assault on German positions near Guebling, France: "Though severely wounded in the leg, Sergeant Rivers refused medical treatment and evacuation, took command of another tank, and advanced with his company in Guebling the next day. Repeatedly refusing evacuation, Sergeant Rivers continued to direct his tank's fire at enemy positions through the morning of 19 November 1944. At dawn, Company A's tanks began to advance towards Bougaktroff, but were stopped by enemy fire. Sergeant Rivers, joined by another tank, opened fire on the enemy tanks, covering company A as they withdrew. While doing so, Sergeant Rivers's tank was hit, killing him and wounding the crew." | ||
Charles H. Roan † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Peleliu Island, Palau Group | September 18, 1944 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body | |
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|
James E. Robinson Jr. † | Army | First Lieutenant | near Untergriesheim, Germany | April 6, 1945 | |
Cleto L. Rodriguez | Private | Paco Railroad Station, Manila, Philippines | February 9, 1945 | |||
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|
Robert E. Roeder † | Captain | Mt. Battaglia, Italy | September 27, 1944 – September 28, 1944 | ||
Albert H. Rooks † | Navy | Captain | USS Houston on the Java Sea | February 4, 1942 – February 27, 1942 | Commanded USS Houston during early days of war. Led during Battle of Java Sea. Killed in action while attempting to lead Houston and HMAS Perth to safety in Sunda Strait. | |
Theodore Roosevelt Jr. † | Army | Brigadier General | Utah Beach, Normandy invasion | June 6, 1944 | With his father, Theodore Roosevelt, became second father and son pair to both receive the Medal of Honor. Died of a heart attack before he could receive the award. | |
Donald K. Ross | Navy | Machinist | Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii | December 7, 1941 | Forced his men to leave the untenable forward dynamo room of USS Nevada and performed all the duties himself until unconscious, returned to dynamo room after being resuscitated, worked the after dynamo room until unconscious, recovered and returned to his station until directed to abandon it. | |
—
|
Wilburn K. Ross | Army | Private | near St. Jacques, France | October 30, 1944 | |
Carlton R. Rouh | Marine Corps | First Lieutenant | Peleliu Island, Palau Group | September 15, 1944 | For risking his life by smothering a grenade with his body | |
Donald E. Rudolph | Army | Technical Sergeant | Munoz, Luzon, Philippines | February 5, 1945 | For destroying 8 pillboxes, a trench and a tank while under fire. | |
Donald J. Ruhl † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | February 19, 1945 – February 21, 1945 | Saved several of his fellow Marines by sacrificing his life and diving on an enemy grenade | |
Alejandro R. Ruiz | Army | Private First Class | Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | April 28, 1945 |
S
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
—
|
Joseph J. Sadowski † | Army | Sergeant | Valhey, France | September 14, 1944 | |
George T. Sakato | Private | Hill 617, near Biffontaine, France | October 29, 1944 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | ||
—
|
Benjamin L. Salomon † | Captain | Saipan, Mariana Islands | July 7, 1944 | Ben L. Salomon was treating patients when Japanese soldiers came inside the tent, Salomon picked up a M1 Garand and shot the first one, stabbed the second one with a bayonet, stabbed the third one with a knife and butted the fourth in the stomach, who was then killed by a wounded patient with an M1911 pistol. Salomon ordered the retreat of the wounded soldiers to the nearby medical station and he gave them cover by firing a M1917 Browning machine gun at the charging Japanese soldiers. A few days later, an army team found him with 98 dead Japanese soldiers in front of his body. Salomon had 76 bullet wounds and bayonet ones, of which he had received 24 while he was still alive. After repeated recommendations were denied, he was finally awarded the medal of honor posthumously in 2002. | |
Joseph R. Sarnoski † | Air Forces | Second Lieutenant | over Buka area, Solomon Islands | June 16, 1943 | On 16 June 1943, 2d Lt. Sarnoski volunteered as bombardier of a crew on an important photographic mapping mission covering the defended Buka area, and Solomon Islands. When the mission was nearly completed about 20 enemy fighters got in the way. At the nose guns 2d Lt. Sarnoski fought off the first attackers, making it possible for the pilot to finish the course. When a coordinated frontal attack by the enemy severely damaged his bomber and seriously injured five of the crew, 2d Lt. Sarnoski though wounded continued to fire and shoot down two enemy planes. With his fighting spirit after he had gotten knocked down he crawled back up to his spot to continue on fighting. Second Lt. Sarnoski, by resolute the defense of his aircraft at the price of his life made it possible for the mission to be complete. | |
—
|
Foster J. Sayers † | Army | Private First Class | near Thionville, France | November 12, 1944 | "During an attack on strong hostile forces entrenched on a hill he fearlessly ran up the steep approach toward his objective and set up his machine gun 20 yards from the enemy. Then he realized it would be necessary to attract full attention of the dug in Germans while his company crossed an open area and flanked the enemy, and he picked up his gun charged through the crazy machine gun and rifle fire to the very edge of the emplacement, and there killed 12 German soldiers with a devastating close range fire. He took up a position behind a log and engaged the hostile infantry from the flank in an heroic attempt to distract their attention while his comrades attained their objective at the bottom of the hill. He was killed by the very heavy concentration of return fire but his fearless assault enabled his company to sweep the hill with a minimum of casualties, killing or capturing every enemy soldier on it. Sayers's indomitable fighting spirit, aggressiveness, and supreme devotion to duty live on as an example of the highest traditions of the military service."[8] |
—
|
Joseph E. Schaefer | Staff Sergeant | near Stolberg, Germany | September 24, 1944 | ||
—
|
Henry Schauer | Private First Class | near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy | May 23, 1944 – May 24, 1944 | ||
Herbert E. Schonland | Navy | Commander | Savo Island | November 12, 1942 – November 13, 1942 | Took command of USS San Francisco after captain had been killed, fought ship and led her to safety. | |
Albert E. Schwab † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | May 7, 1945 | For single-handedly destroying two Japanese machine gun positions with a flamethrower before he was killed | |
Donald K. Schwab † | Army | First Lieutenant | Near Lure, Haute-Saône, France | September 17, 1944 | Under intense enemy fire, dismantled a strong German position and took a prisoner of war. | |
Norman Scott † | Navy | Rear Admiral | off Savo Island | October 11, 1942 – October 12, 1942 and November 12, 1942 – November 13, 1942 | ||
Robert R. Scott † | Machinist's Mate First class | Pearl Harbor, Hawaii | December 7, 1941 | When his battle station compartment flooded on USS California, site of an air compressor for the guns, Scott refused to leave as "This is my station and I will stay and give them air as long as the guns are going." | ||
Robert S. Scott | Army | First Lieutenant | near Munda Air Strip, New Georgia, Solomon Islands | July 29, 1943 | For single-handedly defeating a Japanese patrol. | |
—
|
Charles W. Shea | Second Lieutenant | near Mount Damiano, Italy | May 12, 1944 | ||
—
|
Carl V. Sheridan † | Private First Class | Frenzenberg Castle, Weisweiler, Germany | November 26, 1944 | ||
William R. Shockley † | Private First Class | Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippines | March 31, 1945 | |||
William A. Shomo | Air Forces | Major | over Luzon, Philippines | January 11, 1945 | 7 victories in one action | |
—
|
Curtis F. Shoup † | Army | Staff Sergeant | near Tillet, Belgium | January 7, 1945 | |
David M. Shoup | Marine Corps | Colonel | Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands | November 20, 1943 – November 22, 1943 | Wrote battle plan for Tarawa assault, directed assault from trench on Betio beach as first waves came ashore.Twenty-second Commandant of the United States Marine Corps (January 1, 1960 – December 31, 1963) | |
Franklin E. Sigler | Private | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | March 14, 1945 | Led a charge against an enemy gun installation which had held up the advance of his company for several days | ||
—
|
Edward A. Silk | Army | First Lieutenant | near St. Pravel, France | November 23, 1944 | |
—
|
John C. Sjogren | Staff Sergeant | near San Jose Hacienda, Negros, Philippines | May 23, 1945 | ||
Luther Skaggs Jr. | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Asan-Adelup beachhead, Guam, Mariana Islands | July 21, 1944 – July 22, 1944 | Despite losing part of his leg to a grenade, he continued to maintain his position in his foxhole, fighting the enemy for eight more hours | |
—
|
James D. Slaton | Army | Corporal | near Oliveto, Italy | September 23, 1943 | |
—
|
Furman L. Smith † | Private | near Lanuvio, Italy | May 31, 1944 | ||
John L. Smith | Marine Corps | Major | Solomon Islands area | August 1942 – September 1942 | Led his squadron in shooting down 83 enemy aircraft during this period, he himself shot down 19 planes | |
Maynard H. Smith | Air Forces | Sergeant | over Brest, France | May 1, 1943 | AKA- Snuffy Smith. On his first mission as a B-17 gunner Sgt. Smith helped save the lives of six of his wounded comrades, put out a fire, and drove off waves of German fighters. | |
William A. Soderman | Army | Private First Class | near Rocherath, Belgium | December 17, 1944 | ||
Richard K. Sorenson | Marine Corps | Private | Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands | February 1, 1944 – February 2, 1944 | For risking his life by smothering a grenade with his body | |
—
|
Joe C. Specker † | Army | Sergeant | Mount Porchia, Italy | January 7, 1944 | |
—
|
Junior J. Spurrier | Staff Sergeant | Achain, France | November 13, 1944 | ||
—
|
John C. Squires † | Private First Class | near Padiglione, Italy | April 23, 1944 – April 24, 1944 | ||
Tony Stein † | Marine Corps | Corporal | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | February 19, 1945 | First Medal of Honor of Iwo Jima | |
George L. Street, III | Navy | Lieutenant Commander | harbor of Quelpart Island, off the coast of Korea | April 14, 1945 | For torpedoing three enemy ships while captain of USS Triante. | |
—
|
Stuart S. Stryker † | Army | Private First Class | near Wesel, Germany | March 24, 1945 | |
James E. Swett | Marine Corps | First Lieutenant | Solomon Islands area | April 7, 1943 | For downing eight Japanese Vals off the coast of Guadalcanal |
T
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ted T. Tanouye † | Army | Technical Sergeant | near Molino A Ventoabbto, Italy | July 7, 1944 | One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | |
—
|
Seymour W. Terry † | Captain | Zebra Hill, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands | May 11, 1945 | ||
Charles L. Thomas † | First Lieutenant | near Climbach, France | December 14, 1944 | One of seven African-American soldiers who received their awards belatedly, after a 1993 study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | ||
Herbert J. Thomas † | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Koromokina River, Bougainville, Solomon Islands | November 7, 1943 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body | |
—
|
William H. Thomas † | Army | Private First Class | Zambales Mountains, Luzon, Philippines | April 22, 1945 | |
Clyde A. Thomason † | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Makin Atoll | August 17, 1942 – August 18, 1942 | For leading Marines during the Makin Island raid. He was the first enlisted Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during World War II. | |
—
|
Max Thompson | Army | Sergeant | near Haaren, Germany | October 18, 1944 | |
—
|
Horace M. Thorne † | Corporal | near Grufflingen, Belgium | December 21, 1944 | ||
—
|
John F. Thorson † | Private First Class | Dagami, Leyte, Philippines | October 28, 1944 | ||
Grant F. Timmerman † | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Saipan, Mariana Islands | July 8, 1944 | Sacrificed his life to prevent an enemy grenade from falling through the open hatch of his tank | |
Peter Tomich † | Navy | Chief Watertender | USS Utah (BB-31), Pearl Harbor, Hawaii | December 7, 1941 | Although realizing that USS Utah was capsizing, remained at his post in the engineering plant until he saw that all boilers were secured and all fireroom personnel had left their stations. | |
—
|
John J. Tominac | Army | First Lieutenant | Saulx de Vesoul, France | September 12, 1944 | |
John R. Towle † | Private | near Oosterhout, Holland | September 21, 1944 | |||
Jack L. Treadwell | First Lieutenant | near Nieder-Wurzbach, Germany | March 18, 1945 | |||
Walter E. Truemper † | Air Forces | Second Lieutenant | over Germany | February 20, 1944 | ||
—
|
Day G. Turner † | Army | Sergeant | Dahl, Luxembourg | January 8, 1945 | |
George B. Turner | Private First Class | Philippsbourg, France | January 3, 1945 – January 4, 1945 |
U
editImage | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Matt Urban | Army | Captain | Renouf, France | June 14, 1944 – September 3, 1944 | An infantry company and battalion commander with many decorations and awards including seven Purple Hearts in World War II: "Distinguished himself by a series of bold, heroic actions, exemplified by a singularly outstanding combat leadership, personal bravery, and tenacious devotion to duty... Captain Urban's personal leadership, limitless bravery, and repeated extraordinary exposure to enemy fire served as an inspiration to his entire battalion. His valourous and intrepid actions reflect the utmost credit on him and uphold the noble traditions of the United States Army." |
V
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jose F. Valdez † | Army | Private First Class | near Rosenkrantz, France | January 25, 1945 | ||
—
|
Junior Van Noy † | Private | near Finschafen, New Guinea | October 17, 1943 | ||
Franklin Van Valkenburgh † | Navy | Captain | Pearl Harbor, Hawaii | December 7, 1941 | Commanding officer of the USS Arizona. | |
—
|
Bruce A. Van Voorhis † | Commander | Greenwich Island, battle of the Solomon Islands | July 6, 1943 | His citation reads as follows: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Squadron Commander of Bombing Squadron 102 and as Plane Commander of a PB4Y-I Patrol Bomber operating against the enemy on Japanese-held Greenwich Island during the battle of the Solomon Islands, 6 July 1943. Fully aware of the limited chance of surviving an urgent mission, voluntarily undertaken to prevent a surprise Japanese attack against our forces, Lieutenant Commander Van Voorhis took off in total darkness on a perilous 700-mile flight without escort or support. Successful in reaching his objective despite treacherous and varying winds, low visibility and difficult terrain, he fought a lone but relentless battle under fierce antiaircraft fire and overwhelming aerial opposition. Forced lower and lower by pursuing planes, he coolly persisted in his mission of destruction. Abandoning all chance of a safe return he executed 6 bold ground-level attacks to demolish the enemy's vital radio station, installations, antiaircraft guns and crews with bombs and machine gun fire, and to destroy 1 fighter plane in the air and 3 on the water. Caught in his own bomb blast, Commander Van Voorhis crashed into the lagoon off the beach, sacrificing himself in a single-handed fight against almost insuperable odds, to make a distinctive contribution to our continued offensive in driving the Japanese from the Solomons and, by his superb daring, courage and resoluteness of purpose, enhanced the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country." | |
Leon R. Vance Jr. † | Air Forces | Lieutenant Colonel | over Wimereaux, France | June 5, 1944 | Died in unrelated air crash before receiving his Medal. | |
Alexander A. Vandegrift | Marine Corps | Major General | Battle of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | August 7, 1942 – December 9, 1942 | Later became the 18th Commandant of the Marine Corps. | |
Robert M. Viale † | Army | Second Lieutenant | Manila, Luzon, Philippines | February 5, 1945 | ||
Ysmael R. Villegas † | Staff Sergeant | Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippines | March 20, 1945 | |||
—
|
Dirk J. Vlug | Private First Class | near Limon, Leyte, Philippines | December 15, 1944 | ||
Forrest L. Vosler | Air Forces | Technical Sergeant | over Bremen, Germany | December 20, 1943 |
W
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
George E. Wahlen | Navy | Pharmacist's Mate Second class | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | March 3, 1945 | Although seriously wounded he risked his life to save the lives of several Marines | |
Francis B. Wai † | Army | Captain | Leyte, Philippines | October 20, 1944 | Deliberately exposed himself to fire from Japanese pillboxes and led men on the beachhead; was killed in assault on last pillbox. One of 22 Asian-American soldiers who received their medals in 2000, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | |
Jonathan M. Wainwright, IV | Lieutenant General | Philippines | March 12, 1942 – May 7, 1942 | Wainwright commanded the doomed Allied garrison of Corregidor and ordered its surrender to Japanese forces in 1942. He was the highest ranking U.S. officer in captivity during his three years as a prisoner of war. The general would witness the surrender of the Japanese forces aboard the USS Missouri that brought about the end of the war. Wainwright was nominated for the Medal of Honor early in his captivity, but it was rejected due to the opposition of General Douglas MacArthur, who felt that Corregidor should not have been surrendered. MacArthur did not oppose the renewed proposal in 1945. | ||
Kenneth N. Walker † | Air Forces | Brigadier General | Rabaul, New Britain | January 5, 1943 | For Conspicuous Leadership above and beyond the call of Duty | |
—
|
Herman C. Wallace † | Army | Private First Class | near Prümzurlay, Germany | February 27, 1945 | |
Kenneth A. Walsh | Marine Corps | First Lieutenant | Solomon Islands area | August 15, 1943 and August 30, 1943 | One of the top Marine fighter aces of the war with 21 kills | |
William G. Walsh † | Marine Corps | Gunnery Sergeant | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | February 27, 1945 | For leading his Marines in a fierce assault on an enemy held ridge before he sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body | |
James R. Ward † | Navy | Seaman First Class | Pearl Harbor, Hawaii | December 7, 1941 | During evacuation of USS Oklahoma, remained in a turret, holding a flashlight so the remainder of the turret crew could see to escape, thereby sacrificing his own life. | |
Keith L. Ware | Army | Lieutenant Colonel | near Sigolsheim, France | December 26, 1944 | ||
—
|
Henry F. Warner † | Corporal | near Dom Butgenbach, Belgium | December 20, 1944 – December 21, 1944 | ||
George Watson † | Private | at sea near New Guinea | March 8, 1943 | Watson was one of seven African-American soldiers who received their medals in a belated 1997 ceremony, after a study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time. | ||
Wilson D. Watson | Marine Corps | Private | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | February 26, 1945 – February 27, 1945 | Risked his life fighting the enemy single-handedly for 15 minutes until his platoon could catch up to him, personally killing 60 of the enemy | |
—
|
Robert T. Waugh † | Army | First Lieutenant | near Tremensucli, Italy | May 11, 1944 – May 14, 1944 | |
David C. Waybur | First Lieutenant | near Agrigento, Sicily | July 17, 1943 | Led his patrol in holding off an Italian tank attack despite severe wounds. He later returned to combat and was killed in 1945 | ||
—
|
Ellis R. Weicht † | Sergeant | St. Hippolyte, France | December 3, 1944 | ||
—
|
Walter C. Wetzel † | Private First Class | Birken, Germany | April 3, 1945 | ||
—
|
Eli L. Whiteley | First Lieutenant | Sigolsheim, France | December 27, 1944 | ||
—
|
Hulon B. Whittington | Sergeant | near Grimesnil, France | July 29, 1944 | ||
—
|
Paul J. Wiedorfer | Private | near, Chaumont, Belgium | December 25, 1944 | ||
—
|
Thomas W. Wigle † | Second Lieutenant | Monte Frassino, Italy | September 14, 1944 | ||
—
|
William H. Wilbur | Colonel | Fedala, Morocco | November 8, 1942 | ||
—
|
Edward G. Wilkin † | Corporal | Siegfried Line in Germany | March 18, 1945 | ||
Raymond H. Wilkins † | Air Forces | Major | near Rabaul, New Britain | November 2, 1943 | ||
—
|
Walter J. Will † | Army | First Lieutenant | near Eisern, Germany | March 30, 1945 | Despite being wounded numerous times: rescued three wounded men, single-handedly neutralized two enemy machine gun nests, and went on to lead his squad to capture two more before being killed in another charge. |
Hershel W. Williams | Marine Corps | Corporal | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | February 23, 1945 | A demolition sergeant, Williams volunteered to advance alone and attempt to silence enemy positions. Returning periodically to collect more demolition charges and refueled flamethrowers, Williams systematically destroyed enemy pillboxes and emplacements, engaging in near hand-to-hand combat. Williams was the last surviving World War II medal of honor winner until his death on June 29, 2022. | |
Jack Williams † | Navy | Pharmacist's Mate Third class | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | March 3, 1945 | Navy Corpsman who risked his life charging through enemy fire to rescue wounded comrades. Wounded several times, Williams neglected his own wounds to care for the wounded Marines around him, exposing himself to enemy fire. | |
John H. Willis † | Pharmacist's Mate First class | Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands | February 28, 1945 | During a heated battle, Willis, while wounded himself, advanced to the aid of a wounded Marine. While administering plasma to the Marine, he quickly hurled back an enemy grenade that landed in their shell hole. He returned the seven others that followed as well, before a ninth exploded in his hand, killing him instantly. | ||
Alfred L. Wilson † | Army | Technician 5th Grade | near Bezange la Petite, France | November 8, 1944 | Volunteered as an aid man to assist another company that was taking heavy casualties. Mortally wounded by a shell that burst among him and the wounded men he was treating, he continued to provide aid to those injured while refusing it himself. As blood loss made him too weak to walk or crawl, he directed enlisted men on how to treat the wounded, before succumbing to his injuries. | |
Louis H. Wilson Jr. | Marine Corps | Captain | Fonte Hill, Guam, Mariana Islands | July 25, 1944 – July 26, 1944 | Later became commandant of the Marine Corps. | |
Robert L. Wilson † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Tinian, Mariana Islands | August 3, 1944 | Sacrificed himself by jumping on an enemy grenade that landed among his squad. | |
Homer L. Wise | Army | Staff Sergeant | Magliano, Italy | June 14, 1944 | ||
Frank P. Witek † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Battle of Finegayen, Guam, Mariana Islands | August 3, 1944 | For knocking out several enemy positions, killing 16 Japanese soldiers before he was killed. | |
—
|
Howard E. Woodford † | Army | Staff Sergeant | near Tabio, Luzon, Philippines | June 6, 1945 | By daring, skillful, and inspiring leadership, as well as by gallant determination to search out and kill the enemy, led an inexperienced unit in capturing and securing a vital objective, and was responsible for the successful continuance of a vitally important general advance. Transport ship named after him. |
Y
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cassin Young | Navy | Commander | USS Vestal, Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii | December 7, 1941 | Moved his ship, the USS Vestal, away from the battleship USS Arizona, and subsequently beached it upon determining that such action was required to save his ship. | |
Rodger W. Young † | Army | Private | New Georgia, Solomon Islands | July 31, 1943 | After being pinned by enemy fire for a long time, he single-handedly attacked and destroyed an enemy machine-gun pillbox, although he died of his injuries right afterwards. His actions helped the rest of the unit return to base without taking any more casualties. |
Z
edit This along with the †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jay Zeamer Jr. | Air Forces | Captain | over Buka area, Solomon Islands | June 16, 1943 | Volunteered as pilot of a B-17 bomber on an important photographic mapping mission covering the formidably defended area in the vicinity of Buka, Solomon Islands | |
—
|
Raymond Zussman † | Army | Second Lieutenant | Noroy le Bourg, France | September 12, 1944 | In lead of a tank killed 18 enemy soldiers and captured 92 |
† N.B. A † in the citation indicates that the award was given posthumously.
See also
editNotes
edit- This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
- ^ "A Brief History – The Medal of Honor". Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Department of Defense. August 8, 2006. Archived from the original on May 19, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
- ^ Official military histories in Commonwealth nations refer to the conflict as the Second World War, while the United States' official histories refer to the conflict as World War II. English translations of the official histories of other nations tend to resolve into English as Second World War also, for example zweite weltkrieg in German. See C.P. Stacey Official History of the Canadian Army in the Second World War, for example. "Official" usage of these terms is giving way to popular usage and the two terms are becoming interchangeable even in formal military history.
- ^ This number includes seven late awards presented by President Obama on March 18, 2014 and the award to Garlin Murl Conner by President Trump on June 26, 2018.
- ^ Niiya, Brian. "Congressional Medal of Honor recipients," Densho Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
- ^ "Van Barfoot – Native Americans in the United States Army". www.army.mil. Retrieved April 9, 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b Fisher, George (1947). The Story of the 180th Infantry Regiment. San Angelo, Texas: NEWSFOTO Publishing Co. pp. Chapter 6 "A place called Anzio".
- ^ "Native American Medal of Honor Recipients – U.S. Army Center of Military History". history.army.mil. Archived from the original on May 28, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Foster Joseph Sayers | World War II | U.S. Army | Medal of Honor Recipient". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved March 24, 2022. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
References
edit- "Who's Who list of Marines". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
- "Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients". World War II 1941–1945. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on May 8, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2012.
- "Medal of Honor recipients". World War II (A – F). United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on June 16, 2008. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
- "Medal of Honor recipients". World War II (G – L). United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on August 5, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
- "Medal of Honor recipients". World War II (M – S). United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on April 30, 2008. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
- "Medal of Honor recipients". World War II (T – Z). United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on December 31, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
- "Medal of Honor recipients". Medal of Honor statistics. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
- "Medal of Honor recipients". Medal of Honor citations. Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. February 21, 2017. Retrieved February 21, 2017.