List of living Medal of Honor recipients

President Barack Obama meets with recipients at the National Medal of Honor Day ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns on March 25, 2009

There are currently 73 living recipients of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is bestowed upon any member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself "conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States."[1]

Of the 73 living recipients, four earned their Medals of Honor in World War II, five in the Korean War, 51 in the Vietnam War, and 13 in the War in Afghanistan. Two earned their medal while serving in the U.S. Air Force, 51 in the U.S. Army, 12 in the U.S. Marine Corps, and eight in the U.S. Navy. The oldest recipient is Robert D. Maxwell, aged 97, whereas the youngest is Kyle Carpenter, aged 29. Two medal holders are still on active duty in the U.S. military, War in Afghanistan soldier William D. Swenson of the U.S. Army and Edward Byers of the U.S. Navy. Among the recipients are former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey and three retired generals: Patrick Henry Brady and Robert F. Foley of the Army and James E. Livingston of the Marine Corps.

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously.[2]

World War II

During World War II, 464 United States military personnel received the Medal of Honor, 266 (57.3%) of them posthumously. A total of 42 Medals of Honor were presented for action in just two battles – Fifteen for actions during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and 27 for actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima. A total of 21 (4.5% of all World War II Medals of Honor) were received by members of the all-Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions in numerous battles across six different campaigns.[3] Additionally, the only Medal of Honor ever presented to a member of the United States Coast Guard was received for actions during this war.[4]

Image Name Branch Birth date and age Reference
Charles H. Coolidge Army (1921-08-04) August 4, 1921 [5]
Francis S. Currey Army (1925-06-29) June 29, 1925 [6]
Robert D. Maxwell Army (1920-10-26) October 26, 1920 [7]
Hershel W. Williams Marine Corps (1923-10-02) October 2, 1923 [8]

Korea

During the Korean War, 136 Medals of Honor were presented for bravery in action, 98 (72.1%) of them posthumously. As of 2018, five recipients were still living.[4]

Image Name Branch Birth date and age Reference
Duane E. Dewey Marine Corps (1931-11-16) November 16, 1931 [9]
Hiroshi H. Miyamura Army (1925-10-06) October 6, 1925 [10]
Ronald E. Rosser Army (1929-10-24) October 24, 1929 [11]
Head of a smiling white man wearing a suit, red tie, and a medal hanging from a blue ribbon around his neck Robert E. Simanek Marine Corps (1930-04-26) April 26, 1930 [12]
Photograph of an older white man wearing glasses and a medal hanging from a blue ribbon around his neck Ernest E. West Army (1931-09-02) September 2, 1931 [8]

Vietnam

During the Vietnam War, 249 Medals of Honor were received, 156 (62.9%) of them posthumously. Of the 93 recipients who lived to receive their medals for actions in the Vietnam War, 51 are alive as of 2018.[13]

The first person to earn the Medal of Honor in this war was Roger Donlon who, on 6 July 1964, rescued and administered first aid to several wounded soldiers and led a group against an enemy force.[14]

Image Name Branch Birth date and age Reference
Bennie Adkins Army (1934-02-01) February 1, 1934
John Baca Army (1949-01-10) January 10, 1949 [15]
Donald E. Ballard Navy (1945-12-05) December 5, 1945 [16]
Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. Marine Corps (1940-07-21) July 21, 1940 [17]
Gary B. Beikirch Army (1947-08-29) August 29, 1947 [18]
Portrait of a dark-haired white man wearing a military uniform with many ribbons, pins, and badges. Patrick Henry Brady Army (1936-10-01) October 1, 1936 [7]
Paul Bucha Army (1943-08-01) August 1, 1943 [19]
Bruce P. Crandall Army (1933-02-17) February 17, 1933 [17]
Sammy L. Davis Army (1946-11-01) November 1, 1946 [20]
Profile of a white man with a full, gray beard wearing a star-shaped medal from a blue ribbon around his neck. Drew Dennis Dix Army (1944-12-14) December 14, 1944 [10]
Roger Donlon Army (1934-01-30) January 30, 1934 [21]
Frederick Edgar Ferguson Army (1939-08-18) August 18, 1939 [22]
Michael John Fitzmaurice Army (1950-03-09) March 9, 1950 [23]
James P. Fleming Air Force (1943-03-12) March 12, 1943 [7]
Portrait of a middle-aged white man in a formal military uniform in front of a U.S. flag Robert F. Foley Army (1941-05-30) May 30, 1941
Harold A. Fritz Army (1944-02-21) February 21, 1944 [20]
Charles C. Hagemeister Army (1946-08-21) August 21, 1946 [24]
Frank A. Herda Army (1947-09-13) September 13, 1947
Robert R. Ingram Navy (1945-01-20) January 20, 1945 [25]
Joe M. Jackson Air Force (1923-03-14) March 14, 1923 [7]
Jack H. Jacobs Army (1945-08-02) August 2, 1945 [26]
Don J. Jenkins Army (1948-04-18) April 18, 1948 [8]
Head of a white man in a suit with a medal hanging from a blue ribbon around his neck Thomas G. Kelley Navy (1939-05-13) May 13, 1939 [27]
Allan J. Kellogg Marine Corps (1943-10-01) October 1, 1943 [28]
Head and torso of a white man in a dark suit speaking and gesturing Bob Kerrey Navy (1943-08-27) August 27, 1943 [10]
Head and torso of elderly white man in military dress uniform with the President standing behind him, placing a medal with a blue ribbon around his neck Charles Kettles Army (1930-01-09) January 9, 1930 [29]
Howard V. Lee Marine Corps (1933-08-01) August 1, 1933 [30]
Peter C. Lemon Army (1950-06-05) June 5, 1950 [31]
Gary L. Littrell Army (1944-10-26) October 26, 1944 [32]
James E. Livingston Marine Corps (1940-01-12) January 12, 1940 [33]
Allen James Lynch Army (1945-10-28) October 28, 1945 [20]
Walter Joseph Marm, Jr. Army (1941-11-20) November 20, 1941 [34]
James C. McCloughan Army (1946-04-30) April 30, 1946 [35]
Robert J. Modrzejewski Marine Corps (1934-07-03) July 3, 1934 [36]
Melvin Morris Army (1942-01-07) January 7, 1942 [37]
Thomas R. Norris Navy (1944-01-14) January 14, 1944 [7]
Head and shoulders of a white man with a pointed mustache, wearing a star-shaped medal on a blue ribbon around his neck. Robert Emmett O'Malley Marine Corps (1943-06-03) June 3, 1943 [12]
Robert Martin Patterson Army (1948-04-16) April 16, 1948 [38]
Profile of a dark-haired man with a star-shaped medal hanging from his neck Alfred V. Rascon Army (1945-09-10) September 10, 1945 [10]
Ronald E. Ray Army (1941-12-07) December 7, 1941 [39]
Gordon Ray Roberts Army (1950-06-14) June 14, 1950
Jose Rodela Army (1937-06-15) June 15, 1937 [40]
A color image showing 2nd Lieutenant Gary M. Rose from the chest up in his military uniform with ribbons. Gary M. Rose Army (1947-10-17) October 17, 1947 [41]
A gray-haired black man standing at a microphone, wearing a medal on a blue ribbon around his neck. Clarence Sasser Army (1947-09-12) September 12, 1947 [42]
James M. Sprayberry Army (1947-04-24) April 24, 1947 [43]
Kenneth E. Stumpf Army (1944-09-28) September 28, 1944 [44]
James Allen Taylor Army (1937-12-31) December 31, 1937 [45]
Brian Thacker Army (1945-04-25) April 25, 1945 [12]
Michael E. Thornton Navy (1949-03-23) March 23, 1949 [10]
Jay R. Vargas Marine Corps (1938-07-29) July 29, 1938 [36] [46]
Gary Wetzel Army (1947-09-29) September 29, 1947 [47]

War in Afghanistan

The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001 and was the beginning of the War on Terrorism. The war was launched by the United States, the United Kingdom, and NATO allies in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. The stated purpose of the invasion was to capture Osama bin Laden, destroy al-Qaeda, and remove the Taliban regime which had provided support and safe harbor to al-Qaeda.[48] Since 2001, 17 American service-members have received the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan, four of them posthumously.

Image Name Branch Birth date and age Reference
Edward Byers Navy (1979-08-04) August 4, 1979
Kyle Carpenter Marine Corps (1989-10-17) October 17, 1989
Ty Carter Army (1980-01-25) January 25, 1980 [49]
Head and torso portrait of a young white man in a formal military uniform with a U.S. flag in the background Salvatore Giunta Army (1985-01-21) January 21, 1985 [50]
Florent Groberg Army (1983-05-08) May 8, 1983 [51]
Dakota Meyer Marine Corps (1988-06-26) June 26, 1988 [52]
Leroy Petry Army (1979-07-29) July 29, 1979 [53]
Ryan M. Pitts Army (1985-10-01) October 1, 1985
Clinton Romesha Army (1981-08-17) August 17, 1981 [54]
Ronald J. Shurer Army (1978-12-07) December 7, 1978
Britt K. Slabinski Navy (1969-12-01) December 1, 1969 [55]
William D. Swenson Army (1978-11-02) November 2, 1978
Kyle White Army (1987-03-27) March 27, 1987 [56]

Recently deceased

Recipients who died within the last twelve months are listed below.[57]

Image Name Branch Conflict Birth date Death date Place of death Ref.
Thomas J. Hudner Jr. Navy Korean War August 31, 1924 November 13, 2017 Concord, Massachusetts [58]
Wesley L. Fox Marine Corps Vietnam War September 30, 1931 November 24, 2017 Blacksburg, Virginia [59]

References

  1. ↑ United States Department of the Army (July 1, 2002). "Section 578.4 Medal of Honor". Code of Federal Regulations Title 32, Volume 2. Government Printing Office. Retrieved 2006-07-23.
  2. ↑ "A Brief History — The Medal of Honor". Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Department of Defense. August 8, 2006. Archived from the original on June 15, 2009. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  3. ↑ Congressional Medal of Honor Society
  4. 1 2 "Medal of Honor recipients". Statistics of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who received the Medal of Honor. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Group of Military Veterans Endorse Wamp For Governor". The Chattanoogan. Chattanooga, Tennessee. June 29, 2009. Archived from the original on June 4, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Medal of Honor recipient turning 100". Army Times. May 29, 2009. Archived from the original on May 31, 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Marshall, John (November 11, 2003). "Medal of Honor recipient Patrick Brady epitomizes the humble hero". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Seattle, Washington. Archived from the original on May 31, 2010.
  8. 1 2 3 Elson, Martha (November 10, 2010). "Sullivan will dedicate plaza to vets". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. Archived from the original on November 10, 2010.
  9. ↑ Wolffis, Susan Harrison (November 11, 2006). "Muskegon's Medal of Honor winner 'just doing his job'". Muskegon Chronicle. Muskegon, Michigan. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Medal of Honor - Recipients Bios". Arlington, Virginia: WETA-TV. 2010. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
  11. ↑ Bruce, Billy (November 11, 2009). "VETERAN'S DAY: Never Forgotten". Ironton Tribune. Ironton, Ohio. Archived from the original on June 5, 2010.
  12. 1 2 3 Williams, Rudi (June 14, 2004). "Nine Medal of Honor recipients Attend Gala". United States Department of Defense. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Medal of Honor statistics". Medal of Honor citations archive. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on December 14, 2010. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  14. ↑ Murphy, 1987, pp. 13–23
  15. ↑ Vargo, Joe (May 14, 2008). "Cross-country flight to honor lives lost in Vietnam". The Press-Enterprise. Riverside, California. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010.
  16. ↑ Gooding, Mike (November 29, 2010). "Medal of Honor recipient says being corpsman isn't for everyone". Hampton, Virginia: WVEC. Archived from the original on November 30, 2010.
  17. 1 2 Vargo, Joe (March 2, 2008). "Medal of Honor recipients give support, thanks to fellow veterans". The Press-Enterprise. Riverside, California. Archived from the original on May 31, 2010.
  18. ↑ "Army Cadet Henson Wins Medal of Honor Scholarship". Clarkson Integrator. Potsdam, New York: Clarkson University. September 18, 2006. Archived from the original on May 30, 2010.
  19. ↑ Miller, Robert (November 6, 2009). "Ridgefield veteran to head state parade". The News-Times. Danbury, Connecticut. Archived from the original on June 15, 2010.
  20. 1 2 3 Reich, Howard (September 13, 2009). "Medal of Honor recipients say you can be hero too". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. Archived from the original on June 21, 2010.
  21. ↑ Gittler, Juliana (November 23, 2003). "Medal of Honor recipient encourages peace". Stars and Stripes. Washington D.C. Archived from the original on July 2, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Veterans speak of war service". East Valley Tribune. Mesa, Arizona. November 10, 2007. Archived from the original on July 2, 2010.
  23. ↑ "Eight Medal of Honor recipients are buried in SD". News From Indian Country. Wisconsin. May 28, 2007. Archived from the original on July 2, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Royals to host Tigers, Twins". Kansas City, Missouri: Kansas City Royals. April 16, 2003. Archived from the original on July 2, 2010.
  25. ↑ Gaddis, Rebecca (June 18, 2009). "Medal of Honor recipient administers oath". Jax Air News. Jacksonville, Florida. Archived from the original on July 7, 2010.
  26. ↑ DiIonno, Mark (June 15, 2010). "Medal of Honor recipient from N.J. swears in 300 U.S. Army recruits at Statue of Liberty". New Jersey On-Line. Archived from the original on July 7, 2010.
  27. ↑ Haneisen, Rob (June 3, 2009). "Framingham veteran keeps Flag Day event alive". The MetroWest Daily News. Framingham, Massachusetts. Archived from the original on July 7, 2010.
  28. ↑ O'Brien, B.J. (July 21, 2006). "Kellogg honored by alumni association". The Bethel Beacon. Bethel, Connecticut. Archived from the original on May 31, 2010.
  29. ↑ Dalbey, Beth (November 12, 2015). "In Advance of Veterans Day, Dingell, Peters & Stabenow Introduce Legislation to Award Long-Overdue Medal of Honor to Ypsilanti Vietnam Veteran". Bloomfiled Hills Patch.
  30. ↑ Mishalov, Neil. "List of Living Medal of Honor Recipients". Neil Mishalov. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  31. ↑ Roper, Peter (May 13, 2010). "Medal of Honor golf tourney to host Fort Carson vets". The Pueblo Chieftain. Pueblo, Colorado. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010.
  32. ↑ Archer, Bill (August 23, 2010). "'I had a job to do'". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Bluefield, West Virginia. Archived from the original on November 19, 2010.
  33. ↑ Kropf, Schuyler (October 3, 2009). "Convention of heroes shaping up". The Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010.
  34. ↑ Voss, Mike (April 23, 2010). "A healing wall". Washington Daily News. Washington, North Carolina. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010.
  35. ↑ "Medal of Honor Goes to Vietnam Medic Who Ran Through 'Hell on Earth'". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  36. 1 2 Liewer, Steve (November 11, 2007). "Medal of Honor process under fire". The San Diego Union-Tribune. San Diego, California. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010.
  37. ↑ Melvin Morris's biography
  38. ↑ Griggs, Travis (October 17, 2010). "Wannabe warriors an 'insult' to their bravery". Pensacola News Journal. Pensacola, Florida. Archived from the original on October 17, 2010.
  39. ↑ George, Justin (August 5, 2005). "A rare and Honorable gathering". St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. Archived from the original on July 7, 2010.
  40. ↑ Jose Rodela's biography
  41. ↑ Medal of Honor: Captain Gary M. Rose
  42. ↑ Tompkins, John (February 11, 2008). "Legion post pays tribute to Sasser". Brazosport Facts. Clute, Texas. Archived from the original on May 31, 2010.
  43. ↑ Beyerle, Dana (June 25, 2000). "At first a casualty, Gadsden native became a hero". The Tuscaloosa News. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. p. 6A. Retrieved May 30, 2010.
  44. ↑ Diedrich, John (August 22, 2007). "Medal of Honor is fake, say officials". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. p. 6B. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  45. ↑ Fattig, Paul (June 28, 2010). "Clothes suited for an honorable vet". Mail Tribune. Medford, Oregon. Archived from the original on July 7, 2010.
  46. ↑ http://www.azdvs.gov/SearchResults.aspx?q=Frederick+Edgar+Ferguson&cx=013173311846497028359%3ahre03lpbgt4&cof=FORID%3a10
  47. ↑ Wideman, Steve (May 22, 2010). "LZ Lambeau motorcycle ride kicks off event". The Post-Crescent. Appleton, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on June 4, 2010.
  48. ↑ "The United States Army in Afghanistan". Operation Enduring Freedom. United States Army. March 17, 2006. Archived from the original on February 1, 2010. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  49. ↑ "Obama awards Ty Carter Medal of Honor for Afghan battle". BBC. August 26, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  50. ↑ Obert, Lori (February 10, 2012). "Blackhawk lands at Pepsi Center". Denver, Colorado: KUSA. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012.
  51. ↑ Gibbons-Neff, Thomas (October 14, 2015). "This Army captain will get the Medal of Honor for tackling an Afghan suicide bomber". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  52. ↑ Lamothe, Dan (July 19, 2011). "Obama OKs Medal of Honor for living Marine". Marine Corps Times. Springfield, Virginia. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011.
  53. ↑ "Army Ranger to be awarded Medal of Honor". Stars and Stripes. Washington, D.C. May 31, 2011. Archived from the original on June 1, 2011.
  54. ↑ Ogden, Eloise (January 12, 2013). "Minot man to receive Medal of Honor". Minot Daily News. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  55. ↑ Naval Special Warfare Command (2018-05-07). "Retired Master Chief Britt Slabinski to Receive Medal of Honor". navy.mil. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  56. ↑ "Profile: Sergeant Kyle Jerome White". U.S. Army. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  57. ↑ "Recently Departed". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
  58. ↑ Thomas J. Hudner, war hero and veterans’ affairs commissioner, dies at 93
  59. ↑ "Many ways to celebrate Memorial Day this weekend". The News & Advance. Lynchburg, Virginia. May 27, 2011. Archived from the original on June 1, 2011.
  • "Living Recipients". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. 2017. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
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