Bestowed by congress, the award recognizes valor in action against an enemy force. Generally presented to its recipient by the president of the united states of america in the name of congress. Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented. Francis currey, medal of honor recipient from world war ii. Sammy lee davis born november 1, 1946 is an american who served in the united states army during the vietnam war and was awarded the nations highest military medal for valor, the medal of honor. Medal of honor recipients the encyclopedia of oklahoma. In that spirit the medal of honor recipients, veterans and military personnel, proudly salute our sponsors and supporters in advance for making this exhibit possible. The medal of honor is the united states of americas highest and most prestigious personal military decoration that may be awarded to recognize u. Medal of honor commemorative 150th anniversary edition. Content for this article courtesy of the congressional medal of honor society.
On october 30, 1945, united states army officer freeman v. Afdcs 4822 congressional medal of honor wwii recipients iowa francis pierce navy. Posthumous recipients of the award are not covered. A tribute to congressional medal of honor recipients. Building a life worth fighting for by kyle carpenter, alone at dawn. Since the medal was first presented in 1863, 3,468 individuals have been honored. Statistics of the medal of honor for the united states army. The clothbound book fits into an elegant clothbound slipcase embedded with a commemorative medallion that was struck for this occasion and has been embossed and debossed on both sides. Although all the citations can be downloaded from a number of websites there will always be a demand for a printed version carrying on president harry trumans call to the army and navy in 1946 to produce. Those who must lead america into the future must understand the value of the freedom and peace that many fought and died for.
List people who show leadership and explain why and. Born in dayton, ohio, on november 1, 1946, davis was raised in french camp, california. The medal of honor was created during the american civil war and is the highest military. List of medal of honor recipients for world war i simple. View all digital collections for medal of honor recipients listed alphabetically.
World war ii medal of honor recipients 1 osprey publishing. List of living medal of honor recipients wikipedia. The medal of honor articles and essays charles wellington. Congressional medal of honor recipients continues the fine american tradition of printing official citations in a separate onevolume work. Medal of honor recipients congressional medal of honor. Riley howell did not survive the attack, but he is attributed with saving the lives of many students. The story of congressional medal of honor recipient russell e. True stories of congressional medal of honor recipients. Later, the medal of honor was awarded to the american unknown soldiers of world war ii 1948, korean war 1957, and vietnam war 1984. The book and accompanying dvd highlight stories of the medal of honor recipients that were still living at the time of its publication.
Or who can name six of the ten heroic west virginia medalists of world war ii. The action must involve personal bravery or selfsacrifice above and beyond the call of duty. Lessons on adversity and victory from a vietnam veteran and medal of honor recipient. Portraits of valor beyond the call of duty has been published to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the medal. Wwii medal of honor recipients the national wwii museum. May 01, 2016 this book was a fast easy read for its length of stories about all the medal of honor recipients from the battle for iwo jima. Fifty seven went to the marines and 16 to the navy. The congressional medal of honor moh is our nations highest military award for valor. This book is the first of two titles looking at the recipients of the medal of honor during world war ii. Navy recipients antrim, richard nott, commander, u. Wwii medal of honor recipients the national wwii museum new. True stories of congressional medal of honor recipients first edition. The continually updated lists are accessible to war library subscribers from the g.
Desmond thomas doss february 7, 1919 march 23, 2006 was a united states army corporal who served as a combat medic with an infantry company in world war ii. The first medal of honor presentation for vietnam was to captain roger donlon for actions on 6 july 1964 as commanding officer of the u. United states of americas congressional medal of honor. In february 1919, the criteria for the award were amended to state that no person could receive more than one medal of honor, thus precluding any future double recipients. He was twice awarded the bronze star medal for actions in guam and the philippines. Maine congressional medal of honor recipients maine. About medal of honor historical society of the united states. Lets look at how this award was distributed throughout world war ii. Since the medal of honor was established, 19 recipients have received it twice, of whom 5 received both awards during world war i.
The president of the united states in the name of the congress takes pleasure in presenting the medal of honor to. United states of americas congressional medal of honor recipients and their citations is on my desk at all times and is the first source of information i use to confirm that an individual is a legitimate recipient of the medal of honor. Below is a list of recipients of the congressional gold medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the united states congress. First authorized in 1861, in the 159 years since, 3,525. Dunham and his 400 days in combat during world war ii as told to d. The first award of the medal of honor was made march 25, 1863 to private jacob parrott. United states of americas congressional medal of honor recipients and their official citations hardcover january 1, 1994 by highland house publishers author 5. The other medal of honor recipients born in oklahoma are. For awards made after 1978, the citations are taken either from the crs report for congress. List of congressional gold medal recipients wikipedia. 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 medal of honor is our nations highest military honor, given for distinguished gallantry during hostile action. Army special forces detachment defending camp nam dong against a viet cong attack.
Civil war medal of honor recipients mz includes dr. The 2020 congressional medal of honor citizen honors honorees are. The following medal and award lists awarded for individual performance are currently being compiled by the american war library. Marine corps, world war ii pacific citizens honors focus. We send it out electronically via email to help keep costs down. A gold star suspended from a pale blue neck ribbon dotted with thirteen white stars.
Books medal of honor historical society of the united states. Today, there are 79 living medal of honor recipients, only nine of which are from world war ii. Cased us order badge medal orden medaille, coast guard cross, navy cross, rare. It covers navy and marine corps awardees in all theaters of war, from the attack on pearl harbor in 1941 to the brutal fighting on iwo jima in 1945. Their names are followed by their rank and rate, if known, the date of the action and the vessel or unit on which they served. Though over 16 million people served in world war ii, only 464 earned a medal of honor. Medal of honor citations are peppered with terms like gallantry and intrepidity, and descriptions of action above and beyond the. Our country has awarded the medal of honor, our highest military award, to only about 3,400 recipients since the award was created. The medal of honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the armed services of the united states. The president of the united states of america, authorized by act of congress, march 3rd, 1863, has awarded in the name of congress the medal of honor to staff sergeant read more staff sergeant travis atkins, u. Army, the medal of honor is the highest military award for. List of medal of honor recipients for world war i wikipedia. 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. List of jewish medal of honor recipients wikipedia.
Maine congressional medal of honor recipients name, town and county affiliations individual recipients may be listed multiple times under separate towns click the small arrows up or down to organize lists alphabetically to search by name, town andor county. I found it amazing that all of them represent america as a socioeconomic, religious, and ethnic cross section of the population. Medal of honor recipients the encyclopedia of oklahoma history. See more ideas about medal of honor recipients, medal of honor winners and history. These individuals earned the navy medal of honor during the period specified. Statistics of the medal of honor recipients, citations, and other resources concerning the nations highest medal for valor in combat. This magnificent hardcover book, sponsored by the foundation and published in collaboration with artisan, the illustrated book division of workman publishing in new york, is a collection of contemporary portraits and 156 stories of living or recently deceased medal of honor recipients as captured by bestselling author peter collier and award. List of medal of honor recipients for world war ii wikipedia.
On january, 1997, first lieutenant vernon baker became the only living africanamerican serviceman from world war ii to receive the medal of honor. Medal of honor and choosing courage are stirring tributes to our bravest military. The pritzker military librarys executive producer, ed tracy, hosts a live interview with three of americas most distinguished combat veterans, walter ehlers, jack lucas and woody williams recipients of the congressional medal of honor. Medal of honor news congressional medal of honor foundation. The congressional medal of honor society is committed to providing outreach and education programs that address resiliency, educate americas youth, and reach our. Barrett was one of four medal of honor recipients on dday, june 6, 1944. Medal of honor recipients center of military history. Of the other three marines who earned the medal of honor during world war i, two were awarded only the navy version and one, fred w.
Lists of medal of honor recipients this is a wikipedia book, a collection of wikipedia articles that can be easily saved, imported by an external electronic rendering service, and ordered as a printed book. This book should be read by everyone to learn of the harrowing experiences of war that all marines, not just the recipients faced on that tiny island. The medal of honor is the nations highest honor presented to military personnel for actions above and beyond the call of duty. Anybody with an interest in helping preserve the history of the medal of honor and its recipients is welcome. Today there are 71 living recipients of the medal of honor.
Durkota here are the heroic stories in words and photos of the eight aviation recipients of the u. The stories themselves present true examples of valor, courage, and sacrifice. In this extraordinary book, 15 recipients of the congressional medal of honor tell the stories of the actions for which they received their awards. Here are the stories and details on the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines of world war ii who were recognized with the medal of honor. We published a special edition in march 2014 honoring the newest 24 medal of honor recipients. Below are five recent recipients of the medal of honor, along with their stories of heroism. During 192040, medal of honor awards continued to be rare, but regulations then still permitted awarding the medal for peacetime bravery and distinguished acts not involving combat. The medal is normally awarded by the president of the united states in the name of the u. An updated edition of the new york times bestseller, featuring 12 new recipients and a new foreword by bradley cooper eight veterans from the war in afghanistan have been awarded our nations highest honor for valor in combat since the publication of the third edition of medal of honor, including edward c. The medal of honor recipients in the book fought in conflicts from world war ii to afghanistan, serving in every branch of the armed services. It is an outstanding book, thoroughly accurate, that should be read by everyone.
Lists of military medal recipients the american war library. Because the medal is presented in the name of congress, it is often. Medal of honor book united states of america medal of. There are also essays by tom brokaw, senator john mccain, and victor davis hanson, and a multimedia dvd with historic footage and recipients firstperson reflections. By 1940 the number of living medal of honor recipients had dropped to 279, most of them older veterans. As few as zero and as many as eight have been named, but from 1938 the number of honors or runnersup has been one to five. The current air force medal of honor was approved in 1965. The other 42 awards were belated medals mainly for ww2. Medal of honor book united states of america medal of honor. The first medal of the war was presented to roger donlon for rescuing and administering first aid. Details about afdcs 4822 congressional medal of honor wwii recipients iowa francis pierce navy.
He was awarded the medal for heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty while serving as hospital corpsman attached to a marine corps rifle company on may 2, 1945, during. Included among the ten heroes in this book are three from the civil war. Congress and presented by the president of the united states. List of medal of honor recipients for world war ii simple. Individual leadership congressional medal of honor.
An asterisk in the citation indicates that the award was given posthumously. The last civil war recipient had died just two years earlier. Congressional medal of honor society, at, accessed on 26 march 2019. This flamethrower operator is the last living medal of. The exclusion of black soldiers from the medal of honor in. Medal of honor in ww i, including eddie rickenbacker, frank luke, charles hamman, and francis ormsby. In honor of the liberation of boston, first major city liberated from british occupation. Jack lucas, who at 14 lied his way into military service during world war ii and at 17 became the youngest marine to receive the medal of honor, died thursday in a hattiesburg, miss. There are 473 medal of honor recipients from the war. One of those is the unknown soldier who rests in the tomb of the unknown at arlington cemetery. Congressional medal of honor society announces 2020. In may 2011, there were 110 medal of honor recipients living. The medal of honor was introduced 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 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. Medal of honor recipients naval history and heritage navy. Since the first one was given in 1863, only 3,463 persons have received this award. Medal of honor frontline, rising sun, and european assault. See all 5 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Afdcs 4822 congressional medal of honor wwii recipients. This flamethrower operator is the last living medal of honor recipient from the pacific theater how hershel woody williams used his flamethrowing prowess to.
There are currently 69 living recipients of the united states militarys highest decoration, the medal of honor. Medal of honor interviews at the national wwii museum. More than stories, however, they recount moments of significance in. The purpose of this study, commissioned by the army, was to document the process by which the congressional medal of honor was awarded from december 7, 1941, through september 1, 1948. During the vietnam war 248 medals of honor were received of which 156 of them were presented posthumously. Charles wellington reed received the medal of honor in 1895 for gallantry in action on july 2, 1863, during the battle of gettysburg. Ralph talbot of the marine corps also became a flying ace and was the first marine aviator to receive the medal of honor. Francis currey, one of the last living medal of honor. The recipients 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.
Despite sustained firing on his position near the trostle farm, reed mounted his horse and led to safety another mount carrying the wounded captain john bigelow, thereby saving bigelows life. The recipients of this highest honor have been as diverse as the united states itself. Army human resources command, awards and decorations branch usarmy. Since 1861, the medal of honor has been awarded to more than 3,000 members of the military.
Francis currey, one of the last three surviving recipients of the medal of honor for valor during world war ii, came of age on a farm in the catskill mountains of. World war ii focused new attention upon medal of honor heroes, many of them coming home to active roles as. Books on military honors congressional medal of honor foundation. Gold fivepointed star, each point tipped with trefoils, 1 12 inches wide, surrounded by a green laurel wreath, and suspended from a gold horizontal bar inscribed valor, surmounted by an eagle, in the center of the star, minervas head surrounded by the words, united states of america on each ray of the star is a green oak leaf. This book provides portraits of those still living. Us order space moh, congressional space medal of honor,mini miniature medal, rare. His family had a long tradition of military service. The last award of the medal of honor was made october 30, 2019 to sergeant mathew o. The navy and marine corps medal of honor is our countrys oldest continuously. In the 94 years since the medal of honor was created by act of congress, these 62. Books on military honors congressional medal of honor. Game features relive the european theater of war in 19 deadly missions, from operation overlord to operation market garden.
List of medal of honor recipients for the vietnam war. Riley howell of waynesville, nc, selected for his courageous act when he shielded students from a gunman during an incident at the university of north carolina charlotte. Cross, air force cross, and usaf recipients of special congressional medals. For more information on recipients from all services, please consult the congressional medal of honor society. Nasa space moh, congressional space medal of honor in case,rare us order space moh congressional space medal of honor neckribbon version scarce. It is presented by the president of the united states in the name of the congress.
Medal of honor recipients paul bucha, captain, us army. List of hispanic medal of honor recipients wikipedia. Besides the newbery medal, the committee awards a variable number of citations to leading contenders, called newbery honors or newbery honor books. Altogether, 440 medals of honor were awarded for service in the war. Riveting oral histories of more than 100 recipients of the medal of honor, introduced by brian williams and collected in one place for the very first time. Civil war africanamerican medal of honor recipients. Medal of honor recipients encyclopedia of arkansas. The medal of honor is the highest military award that can be bestowed on personnel in the united states armed forces. Air force historical support division history medal of honor, af. Navy recipients select name for complete citation balch, john henry, pharmacists mate first class, u. And still later, in world war i, thomas boyd, author of many books, saw. This is a list of medal of honor recipients for world war ii. Our newsletter is called above and beyond and is published quarterly.
Keywordsoklahoma military history congressional medal of honor award recipients world war i world war ii philippine insurrection korean war vietnam gulf medal of honor recipients. List of medal of honor recipients for world war ii. Lunga area, guadalcanal, solomon islands october 24, 1942 october 25, 1942. Ww2 medical department medal of honor recipients ww2 us.
Joined the united states army in albany, new york, he was a member of, 18th infantry, 1st infantry division. The last actions to earn a medal of honor in this war were those. Doss further distinguished himself in the battle of okinawa by saving 75 men, becoming the only conscientious objector to receive the medal of honor. In world war ii, many men went above and beyond the call of duty. Idahos men of valor, medal of honor recipients with idaho attachments, 4th ed. Robert eugene bush october 4, 1926 november 8, 2005, at age 18, was the youngest member of the united states navy in world war ii to receive the nations highest military decoration for valor, the medal of honor. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our favorite reads in more than a. Francis currey, one of the last three surviving recipients of the medal of honor for valor during world war ii, came of age on a farm in the catskill mountains of new york, where he was taken in.
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