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User:Bkatcher/List of living Medal of Honor recipients

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Medal of Honor
Three medals, side by side, consisting of an inverted 5-pointed star hanging from a light blue ribbon with 13 white stars in the center. Left medal has a laurel wreath around the star and an eagle emblem above the star; central medal has an anchor emblem attaching the medal to the ribbon; rightmost medal has a laurel wreath around the star and an emblem with wings, lightning bolts and the word "VALOR" connecting the medal to the ribbon.
All recipients
American Civil War
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Others
Other wars and conflicts
  • Korean War
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    By other criteria

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

    Of the 60 living recipients, 44 earned their medal in the Vietnam War, 14 in the War in Afghanistan, and two in the War in Iraq. One earned his medal while serving in the U.S. Air Force, 43 in the U.S. Army, eight in the U.S. Marine Corps, and eight in the U.S. Navy. The oldest recipient is Bruce P. Crandall, aged 91, whereas the youngest is Kyle Carpenter, aged 35. Four medal holders are still on active duty in the U.S. military, William D. Swenson, Thomas Payne, Matthew O. Williams and Earl Plumlee of the U.S. Army. Among the living 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

    [edit]

    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 these requirements, it has frequently been presented posthumously.[3]

    Vietnam War

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

    During the Vietnam War and in the following twelve months, 236 Medals of Honor were awarded and since 1978 a further 32 awards have been presented.[4]

    Image Name Branch Birth date and age Reference
    John Baca Army (1949-01-10) January 10, 1949 (age 75) [5]
    Donald E. Ballard Navy (1945-12-05) December 5, 1945 (age 78) [6]
    Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. Marine Corps (1940-07-21) July 21, 1940 (age 84) [7]
    Dwight W. Birdwell Army (1948-01-19) January 19, 1948 (age 76) [8]
    Portrait of a dark-haired white man wearing a military uniform with many ribbons, pins, and badges. Patrick Henry Brady Army (1936-10-01) October 1, 1936 (age 88) [9]
    Crandall in 2012 Bruce P. Crandall Army (1933-02-17) February 17, 1933 (age 91) [7]
    Paris Davis Army (1939-05-13) May 13, 1939 (age 85) [10]
    Sammy L. Davis Army (1946-11-01) November 1, 1946 (age 77) [11]
    Profile of a white man with a full, gray beard wearing a star-shaped medal from a blue ribbon around his neck. Drew Dennis Dix Army (1944-12-14) December 14, 1944 (age 79) [12]
    John J. Duffy Army (1938-03-16) March 16, 1938 (age 86) [13]
    Frederick Edgar Ferguson Army (1939-08-18) August 18, 1939 (age 85) [14]
    Michael John Fitzmaurice Army (1950-03-09) March 9, 1950 (age 74) [15]
    James P. Fleming Air Force (1943-03-12) March 12, 1943 (age 81) [9]
    Portrait of a middle-aged white man in a formal military uniform in front of a U.S. flag Robert F. Foley Army (1941-05-30) May 30, 1941 (age 83)
    Harold A. Fritz Army (1944-02-21) February 21, 1944 (age 80) [11]
    Dennis Fujii Army (1949-03-01) March 1, 1949 (age 75) [16]
    Robert R. Ingram Navy (1945-01-20) January 20, 1945 (age 79) [17]
    Jack H. Jacobs Army (1945-08-02) August 2, 1945 (age 79) [18]
    Don J. Jenkins Army (1948-04-18) April 18, 1948 (age 76) [19]
    Head of a white man in a suit with a medal hanging from a blue ribbon around his neck Thomas G. Kelley Navy (1939-05-13) May 13, 1939 (age 85) [20]
    Allan J. Kellogg Marine Corps (1943-10-01) October 1, 1943 (age 81) [21]
    Head and torso of a white man in a dark suit speaking and gesturing Bob Kerrey Navy (1943-08-27) August 27, 1943 (age 81) [12]
    Peter C. Lemon Army (1950-06-05) June 5, 1950 (age 74) [22]
    Gary L. Littrell Army (1944-10-26) October 26, 1944 (age 79) [23]
    James E. Livingston Marine Corps (1940-01-12) January 12, 1940 (age 84) [24]
    Allen James Lynch Army (1945-10-28) October 28, 1945 (age 78) [11]
    Walter Joseph Marm, Jr. Army (1941-11-20) November 20, 1941 (age 82) [25]
    James C. McCloughan Army (1946-04-30) April 30, 1946 (age 78) [26]
    Modrzejewski in 2011 Robert J. Modrzejewski Marine Corps (1934-07-03) July 3, 1934 (age 90) [27]
    Melvin Morris Army (1942-01-07) January 7, 1942 (age 82) [28]
    Thomas R. Norris Navy (1944-01-14) January 14, 1944 (age 80) [9]
    Head and shoulders of a white man with a pointed mustache, wearing a star-shaped medal on a blue ribbon around his neck. Robert Emmett O'Malley Marine Corps (1943-06-03) June 3, 1943 (age 81) [29]
    Patterson in 2012 Robert Martin Patterson Army (1948-04-16) April 16, 1948 (age 76) [30]
    Profile of a dark-haired man with a star-shaped medal hanging from his neck Alfred V. Rascon Army (1945-09-10) September 10, 1945 (age 79) [12]
    Ronald E. Ray Army (1941-12-07) December 7, 1941 (age 82) [31]
    Gordon Ray Roberts Army (1950-06-14) June 14, 1950 (age 74)
    Jose Rodela Army (1937-06-15) June 15, 1937 (age 87) [32]
    A color image showing 2nd Lieutenant Gary M. Rose from the chest up in his military uniform with ribbons. Gary M. Rose Army (1947-10-17) October 17, 1947 (age 77) [33]
    James M. Sprayberry Army (1947-04-24) April 24, 1947 (age 77) [34]
    James Allen Taylor Army (1937-12-31) December 31, 1937 (age 86) [35]
    Brian Thacker Army (1945-04-25) April 25, 1945 (age 79) [29]
    Michael E. Thornton Navy (1949-03-23) March 23, 1949 (age 75) [12]
    Jay R. Vargas Marine Corps (1938-07-29) July 29, 1938 (age 86) [27] [36]
    Gary Wetzel Army (1947-09-29) September 29, 1947 (age 77) [37]

    War in Afghanistan

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

    The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001 and was the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism. The war was launched by the United States, the United Kingdom, and NATO allies in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. The stated purpose of the invasion was to capture Osama bin Laden, destroy al-Qaeda, and remove the Taliban regime which had provided support and safe harbor to al-Qaeda.[38] Since 2001, 20 U.S. servicemen have received the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan, five of them posthumously.

    Image Name Branch Birth date and age Reference
    Edward Byers Navy (1979-08-04) August 4, 1979 (age 45)
    Kyle Carpenter Marine Corps (1989-10-17) October 17, 1989 (age 35)
    Ty Carter Army (1980-01-25) January 25, 1980 (age 44) [39]
    Head and torso portrait of a young white man in a formal military uniform with a U.S. flag in the background Salvatore Giunta Army (1985-01-21) January 21, 1985 (age 39) [40]
    Captain Florent Groberg Florent Groberg Army (1983-05-08) May 8, 1983 (age 41) [41]
    Dakota Meyer Marine Corps (1988-06-26) June 26, 1988 (age 36) [42]
    Leroy Petry Leroy Petry Army (1979-07-29) July 29, 1979 (age 45) [43]
    Ryan M. Pitts Army (1985-10-01) October 1, 1985 (age 39) [44]
    Earl Plumlee Army (1980-04-06) April 6, 1980 (age 44) [45]
    Clinton Romesha Army (1981-08-17) August 17, 1981 (age 43) [46]
    Britt K. Slabinski Navy (1969-12-01) December 1, 1969 (age 54) [47]
    William D. Swenson Army (1978-11-02) November 2, 1978 (age 45) [48]
    Sergeant Kyle J. White Kyle J. White Army (1987-03-27) March 27, 1987 (age 37) [49]
    Matthew O. Williams Army (1981-10-03) October 3, 1981 (age 43) [50]

    Iraq War

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

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

    Image Name Branch Birth date and age Reference
    David Bellavia Army (1975-11-10) November 10, 1975 (age 48) [51][52]
    Sgt. Maj. Thomas "Patrick" Payne Thomas Payne Army (1984-04-02) April 2, 1984 (age 40) [53][54]

    Recently deceased

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    Recipients who died within the last twelve months are listed below.[55]

    Image Name Branch Conflict Birth date Death date Place of death Reference
    Frank A. Herda Army Vietnam War September 13, 1947 October 13, 2023 Cleveland, Ohio [56]
    Roger Donlon Army Vietnam War January 30, 1934 January 25, 2024 Leavenworth, Kansas [57]
    Larry Taylor Army Vietnam War February 12, 1942 January 28, 2024 Signal Mountain, Tennessee [58]
    Ralph Puckett Army Korean War December 8, 1926 April 8, 2024 Columbus, Georgia [59]
    A gray-haired black man standing at a microphone, wearing a medal on a blue ribbon around his neck. Clarence Sasser Army Vietnam War September 12, 1947 May 13, 2024 Sugar Land, Texas [60]
    Bucha in 2011 Paul Bucha Army Vietnam War August 1, 1943 July 31, 2024 West Haven, Connecticut [61]

    References

    [edit]
    1. ^ "Medal of Honor FAQs | CMOHS".
    2. ^ United States Department of the Army (1 July 2002). "Section 578.4 Medal of Honor". Code of Federal Regulations Title 32, Volume 2. Government Printing Office. Retrieved 23 July 2006.
    3. ^ "A Brief History — The Medal of Honor". Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Department of Defense. 8 August 2006. Archived from the original on 15 June 2009. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
    4. ^ The Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States at http://www.mohhsus.com/medal-of-honor shows 268 awards for Vietnam excluding the Vietnam Unknown listed with the group of nine Unknowns. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society at http://www.cmohs.org/medal-statistics.php lists 268 awards for Vietnam excluding the Vietnam Unknown. Both societies include US Navy recipient William McGonagle, in the Eastern Mediterranean on June 8, 1967, in their Vietnam totals.
    5. ^ Vargo, Joe (14 May 2008). "Cross-country flight to honor lives lost in Vietnam". The Press-Enterprise. Riverside, California. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010.
    6. ^ Gooding, Mike (29 November 2010). "Medal of Honor recipient says being corpsman isn't for everyone". Hampton, Virginia: WVEC. Archived from the original on 30 November 2010.
    7. ^ a b Vargo, Joe (2 March 2008). "Medal of Honor recipients give support, thanks to fellow veterans". The Press-Enterprise. Riverside, California. Archived from the original on 31 May 2010.
    8. ^ "President Biden to Award Medal of Honor". The White House. 27 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
    9. ^ a b c Marshall, John (11 November 2003). "Medal of Honor recipient Patrick Brady epitomizes the humble hero". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Seattle, Washington. Archived from the original on 31 May 2010.
    10. ^ Dave Phillips (15 February 2021). "A Black Soldier's Heroism, Overlooked in 1965, May Finally Be Lauded in 2021". The New York Times.
    11. ^ a b c Reich, Howard (13 September 2009). "Medal of Honor recipients say you can be hero too". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. Archived from the original on 21 June 2010.
    12. ^ a b c d "Medal of Honor - Recipients Bios". Arlington, Virginia: WETA-TV. 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2010.
    13. ^ Maegan Vazquez; Oren Liebermann (5 July 2022). "Biden awards 4 Vietnam veterans with the Medal of Honor". CNN. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
    14. ^ "Veterans speak of war service". East Valley Tribune. Mesa, Arizona. 10 November 2007. Archived from the original on 2 July 2010.
    15. ^ "Eight Medal of Honor recipients are buried in SD". News From Indian Country. Wisconsin. 28 May 2007. Archived from the original on 2 July 2010.
    16. ^ "President Biden to Award Medal of Honor". The White House. 27 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
    17. ^ Gaddis, Rebecca (18 June 2009). "Medal of Honor recipient administers oath". Jax Air News. Jacksonville, Florida. Archived from the original on 7 July 2010.
    18. ^ DiIonno, Mark (15 June 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 7 July 2010.
    19. ^ Elson, Martha (10 November 2010). "Sullivan will dedicate plaza to vets". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. Archived from the original on 10 November 2010.
    20. ^ Haneisen, Rob (3 June 2009). "Framingham veteran keeps Flag Day event alive". The MetroWest Daily News. Framingham, Massachusetts. Archived from the original on 7 July 2010.
    21. ^ O'Brien, B.J. (21 July 2006). "Kellogg honored by alumni association". The Bethel Beacon. Bethel, Connecticut. Archived from the original on 31 May 2010.
    22. ^ Roper, Peter (13 May 2010). "Medal of Honor golf tourney to host Fort Carson vets". The Pueblo Chieftain. Pueblo, Colorado. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010.
    23. ^ Archer, Bill (23 August 2010). "'I had a job to do'". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Bluefield, West Virginia. Archived from the original on 19 November 2010.
    24. ^ Kropf, Schuyler (3 October 2009). "Convention of heroes shaping up". The Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010.
    25. ^ Voss, Mike (23 April 2010). "A healing wall". Washington Daily News. Washington, North Carolina. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010.
    26. ^ Fandos, Nicholas (31 July 2017). "Medal of Honor Goes to Vietnam Medic Who Ran Through 'Hell on Earth'". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
    27. ^ a b Liewer, Steve (11 November 2007). "Medal of Honor process under fire". The San Diego Union-Tribune. San Diego, California. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010.
    28. ^ "Sergeant First Class Melvin Morris | Valor 24 | Medal of Honor | The United States Army". www.army.mil.
    29. ^ a b Williams, Rudi (14 June 2004). "Nine Medal of Honor recipients Attend Gala". United States Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010.
    30. ^ Griggs, Travis (17 October 2010). "Wannabe warriors an 'insult' to their bravery". Pensacola News Journal. Pensacola, Florida. Archived from the original on 17 October 2010.
    31. ^ George, Justin (5 August 2005). "A rare and Honorable gathering". St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. Archived from the original on 7 July 2010.
    32. ^ "Master Sergeant Jose Rodela | Valor 24 | Medal of Honor | The United States Army". www.army.mil.
    33. ^ "Captain Gary Michael Rose | Medal of Honor Recipient| U.S. Army". www.army.mil.
    34. ^ Beyerle, Dana (25 June 2000). "At first a casualty, Gadsden native became a hero". The Tuscaloosa News. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. p. 6A. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
    35. ^ Fattig, Paul (28 June 2010). "Clothes suited for an honorable vet". Mail Tribune. Medford, Oregon. Archived from the original on 7 July 2010.
    36. ^ "Search | Arizona Department of
      Veterans' Services"      .
    37. ^ Wideman, Steve (22 May 2010). "LZ Lambeau motorcycle ride kicks off event". The Post-Crescent. Appleton, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on 4 June 2010.
    38. ^ "The United States Army in Afghanistan". Operation Enduring Freedom. United States Army. 17 March 2006. Archived from the original on 1 February 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
    39. ^ "Obama awards Ty Carter Medal of Honor for Afghan battle". BBC. 26 August 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
    40. ^ Obert, Lori (10 February 2012). "Blackhawk lands at Pepsi Center". Denver, Colorado: KUSA. Archived from the original on 11 February 2012.
    41. ^ Gibbons-Neff, Thomas (14 October 2015). "This Army captain will get the Medal of Honor for tackling an Afghan suicide bomber". The Washington Post. Retrieved 15 October 2015.[dead link]
    42. ^ Lamothe, Dan (19 July 2011). "Obama OKs Medal of Honor for living Marine". Marine Corps Times. Springfield, Virginia. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011.
    43. ^ "Army Ranger to be awarded Medal of Honor". Stars and Stripes. Washington, D.C. 31 May 2011. Archived from the original on 1 June 2011.
    44. ^ "Staff Sergeant Ryan M. Pitts, Medal of Honor". army.mil. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
    45. ^ Biden awards Medal of Honor to 3 soldiers, including the first African American since the Vietnam War
    46. ^ Ogden, Eloise (12 January 2013). "Minot man to receive Medal of Honor". Minot Daily News. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
    47. ^ Naval Special Warfare Command (7 May 2018). "Retired Master Chief Britt Slabinski to Receive Medal of Honor". navy.mil. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
    48. ^ "CAPTAIN WILLIAM D. SWENSON • MEDAL OF HONOR". army.mil. 13 October 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
    49. ^ "Profile: Sergeant Kyle Jerome White". U.S. Army. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
    50. ^ Lange, Katie. "Medal of Honor Monday: Army Master Sgt. Matthew Williams". United States Department of Defense. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
    51. ^ Medal Of Honor Awarded To Iraq War Veteran
    52. ^ Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia
    53. ^ "Soldier Who Helped Rescue 75 Hostages Awarded Medal Of Honor". NPR. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
    54. ^ Sgt. Maj. Thomas Payne Will Be 1st Living Delta Force Member to Receive Medal of Honor
    55. ^ "Recently Departed". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
    56. ^ "Medal of Honor Recipients Announce Passing of Medal of Honor Recipient Frank A. Herda". CMOHS. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
    57. ^ "Congressional Medal of Honor Society Announces Passing of Medal of Honor Recipient Roger H. C. Donlon". CMOHS. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
    58. ^ "Congressional Medal of Honor Society Announces Passing of Medal of Honor Recipient Larry L. Taylor". CMOHS. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
    59. ^ "Congressional Medal of Honor Society Announces Passing of Medal of Honor Recipient Ralph Puckett Jr". CMOHS. 8 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
    60. ^ "Congressional Medal of Honor Society Announces Passing of Medal of Honor Recipient Clarence E. Sasser". CMOHS. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
    61. ^ "Medal of Honor Recipient Paul W. Bucha Passes Away at 80". CMOHS. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.

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