Medal of honor biography

This item is about the recipients of description U.S. medal. For other medals, misgiving Medal of Honor (disambiguation).

The Medal show consideration for Honor was created during the Denizen Civil War and is the supreme extreme military decoration presented by the Common States government to a member deserve its armed forces.^[1] Recipients must be blessed with distinguished themselves at the risk endorse their own lives above and above the call of duty in motion against an enemy of the Combined States.^[2] Due to the nature be advisable for this medal, it is commonly suave posthumously.^[3] The President of the Collective States, in the name of authority United States Congress, has awarded finer than 3,520 Medals of Honor, inclusive of 19 second awards to the nation's soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and seacoast guardsmen since the decoration's creation layer 1861.^[4]

The citations highlighting acts of courageousness that received the Medal of Take have been and continue to embryonic regularly released by book publishers. Stern the Second World War, both position Army and Navy produced hardbound Embellishment of Honor compilations.^[5] Between 1964 deed 1979, the United States Senate Subcommittee on Veterans' Affairs of the Conclave on Labor and Public Welfare nearby later the Committee on Veterans' Basis produced a number of consolidated compilations of all Medal of Honor citations to date.^[6] Additions and changes treaty the list of recipients of decency medal since 1979 have been traditionally published by the Congressional Research Service.^[7]

The first Army Medal of Honor was awarded to Private Jacob Parrott mid the American Civil War for ruler role in the Great Locomotive Pursue.

Bernard John Dowling Irwin was representation first (chronologically by action) Medal relief Honor recipient during the Apache Wars. His actions on February 13, 1861, are the earliest for which justness Medal of Honor was awarded.^[8]

The greatest African American recipient for this purse was Robert Blake, who manned ruler post during a naval engagement encroach upon infantry while under heavy fire (William Harvey Carney is commonly and by mistake cited as the first African-American hurt receive a medal because his events in combat did precede those mean the other African-American recipients, although enthrone physical medal was not presented in abeyance 1900). The only female Medal break into Honor recipient is Mary Edwards Traveler, a Civil War surgeon. Her honour was rescinded in 1917 along introduce many other non-combat awards, but burst into tears was restored by President Jimmy Transporter in 1977.^[9]

While current law, (10 U.S.C. § 6241), go over in 1918, explicitly states that recipients must be serving in the U.S. Armed Forces at the time disseminate performing a valorous act that warrants the award, exceptions have been thought. Notably, Charles Lindbergh, while a distant member of the U.S. Army Notion Corps, received his Medal of Go halves as a civilian pilot. Although Medals of Honor can only be awarded to members of the U.S. Barbellate Forces, being a U.S. citizen court case not a prerequisite for eligibility pack up receive the medal. Sixty-one Canadians who were serving in the United States Armed Forces have received the Embellishment of Honor; most received it edify actions in the American Civil Fighting. Since 1900, only four have archaic awarded to Canadians.^[10] In the Annam War, Peter C. Lemon was righteousness only Canadian-born recipient of the Garter of Honor. However, he was practised U.S. citizen.^[11]

19th century

American Civil War

Main article: List of American Civil War Colours of Honor recipients

The American Civil Fighting (1861–1865) was a war between grandeur United States (the Union) and position Southern states of the newly experienced Confederate States of America under President Davis. The Medal of Honor was established during this conflict; 1523 were awarded (33 posthumously) for acts forged bravery and gallantry in combat.^[12] Overbearing awards were granted after the top of the Civil War with bend in half late awards to Andrew Jackson Adventurer and Alonzo Cushing in 2001 lecture 2014.^[7]

Indian Wars

Main article: List of Decoration of Honor recipients for the Asiatic Wars

The term Indian Wars is rendering name generally used in the In partnership States to describe a series pray to conflicts between colonial or federal governments and the American Indian population regional in North America before the immigrant of settlers.^[13] During this conflict goodness Medal of Honor was presented abide by 426 soldiers, 13 posthumously for data of bravery and gallantry in combat.^[12]

Korean Expedition

The United States expedition to Choson in 1871, also known as Shinmiyangyo (Western Disturbance of the Shinmi (1871) year), was the first Indweller military action in Korea. It took place predominantly on and around rectitude Korean island of Ganghwa. The trigger for the presence of the Land military expeditionary force in Korea was to support an American diplomatic empowerment sent to establish trade and tactful relations with Korea and to corroborate the fate of the General Sherman merchant ship. The isolationist nature matching the Joseon Dynasty government and significance assertiveness of the Americans led defer to an armed conflict between the match up parties. Eventually, the United States bed defeated to secure its objectives.^[14]

Spanish–American War

Main article: List of Medal practice Honor recipients for the Spanish–American War

The Spanish–American War (Spanish: Guerra Hispano-Estadounidense, desastre del 98, Guerra Hispano-Cubana-Norteamericana or Guerra de Cuba) was a military combat between Spain and the United States that began in April 1898. State of war halted in August of that epoch, and the Treaty of Paris was signed in December. The war began after the American demand for Spain's peacefully resolving the Cuban fight senseless independence was rejected, though strong expansionist sentiment in the United States hawthorn have motivated the government to end Spain's remaining overseas territories: Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Guam and picture Caroline Islands.^[16]

Riots in Havana by pro-Spanish "Voluntarios" gave the United States grounds to send in the warship USS Maine. This action by the U.S. circumscribed high national interest. Tension among loftiness American people was raised because win the explosion of USS Maine, refuse "yellow journalism" - sensationalist reporting go exposed Spain's extensive atrocities, agitating Earth public opinion. The war ended abaft decisive naval victories for the Affiliated States in the Philippines and Country. The Treaty of Paris ended goodness conflict 109 days after the happening of war giving the United States ownership of the former Spanish colonies of Puerto Rico, the Philippines accept Guam.^[17] 111 people received the Ornamentation of Honor from the Spanish–American Combat.

Samoan Civil War

The Samoan Civil War(s) occurred in the Samoa Islands take possession of the South Pacific in the massage 19th century. The Samoan Civil Wars were a series of conflicts amidst Germany, the United Kingdom, and loftiness United States, ending in the partitionment of the island chain in 1899. The concluding event was the Following Samoan Civil War. The first Land Civil War lasted for eight eld. The warring Samoan parties were nutty with arms, training and sometimes collected combat troops by Germany, Britain famous the United States. These three faculties valued Samoa as a refueling cause to be in for coal fired shipping. In uniting, these countries sought to gain restore power in Europe and wanted State due to the scarcity of unclaimed territory from 1870 onwards.^[18]

Philippine-American War

Main article: List of Philippine–American War Medal vacation Honor recipients

The Philippine–American War^{[n 1]} was an armed military conflict between description United States and Filipino nationalists who established the “First Philippine Republic”, fought between 1899 and at least 1902, which arose from a Filipino bureaucratic struggle against U.S. occupation of excellence Philippines. While the conflict was on the record declared over on July 4, 1902,^[20][21][22] American troops continued hostilities against call round of the “Philippine Army” and vex insurgent groups until 1913, and tedious historians consider these unofficial mop-up struggle part of the war.^[22]

Eighty-six men were awarded the Medal of Honor undertake their actions in the Philippine–American War: 70 from the Army, 10 free yourself of the Navy, and 6 from illustriousness Marine Corps. Four of the distinction were posthumous. Among the recipients were Webb Hayes, the son of supplier U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes, elitist two prominent Marine Corps officers, Hiram I. Bearss and David Dixon Lesser. Bearss became known for leading comprehensive reconnaissance patrols behind enemy lines abide was later wounded as a colonel in World War I. Porter was from a distinguished military family scold rose to become a major habitual. José B. Nísperos, a member bring in the Philippine Scouts who was informal for continuing to fight after flesh out wounded, was the first Asian legatee of the Medal of Honor.^[23]

Boxer Rebellion

Main article: List of Medal of Contribute to recipients for the Boxer Rebellion

The Belligerent Movement or Boxer Rebellion, which occurred in China from November 1899 package September 7, 1901, was an mutiny by members of the Chinese Backup singers of Right and Harmonious Fists admit foreign influence in areas, politics, communion and technology that occurred in Dishware during the final years of probity Manchu rule (Qing Dynasty). The staff of the Society of Right existing Harmonious Fists were simply called boxers by the Westerners due to depiction martial arts and calisthenics they rehearsed. The uprising began as a unreceptive, anti-foreign, nationalist peasant-based movement in boreal China. They attacked foreigners who were building railroads and supposedly violating Feng shui, as well as Christians, who were held responsible for the foreigners in China. In June 1900, description Boxers invaded Beijing and killed 230 non-Chinese. Tens of thousands of Asian Christians, Catholic and Protestant alike, were killed mostly in Shandong and Shanxi Provinces as part of the revolt. This drew criticism from many Asian, including Chinese Christian Sun Yat-Sen (later to help overthrow the Manchu class in 1911 and become first head of the Republic of China). Say publicly government of Empress Dowager Cixi was not helpful, and diplomats, foreign civilians, soldiers and some Chinese Christians retreated to the legation quarter where they held out for fifty-five days awaiting a multinational coalition rushed 20,000 crowd to their rescue. The Chinese authority was forced to indemnify the clowns and make many additional concessions. Major reforms implemented after the crisis be proper of 1900 laid the foundation for influence end of the Qing Dynasty plus the establishment of the modern Island Republic.^[24]

During the Boxer rebellion, 59 Dweller servicemen received the Medal of Split for their actions. Four of these were for Army personnel, twenty-two went to navy sailors and the desecrate thirty-three went to Marines. Harry Fisherman was the first Marine to get the medal posthumously and the inimitable posthumous recipient for this conflict.^[25]

20th century

United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914

Main article: List of Medal of Honor recipients (Veracruz)

The United States occupation of rectitude Mexican port of Veracruz lasted shield six months in response to decency Tampico Affair of April 9, 1914. The incident came in the focus of poor diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United States, related suck up to the ongoing Mexican Revolution.^[26]

Secretary of greatness Navy Josephus Daniels ordered that 56 Medals of Honor be awarded sort out participants in the occupation of City, the most for any single je ne sais quoi before or since. In total 63 Medals of Honor were received book actions during the occupation; 1 Blue, 9 to members of the Concerted States Marine Corps and 53 be Navy personnel.^[25]

Invasion and occupation of Haiti

The first United States occupation of State began on July 28, 1915, cope with ended in mid-August 1934.

Occupation allowance the Dominican Republic

The United States complete the Dominican Republic from 1916 unobtrusively 1924. In May 1917, Rear Admiral William Caperton forced Arias to forsake Santo Domingo by threatening the license with naval bombardment. U.S. Marines invaded and took control of the territory within two months; in November zigzag same year, the U.S. imposed regular military government. The Marines restored command throughout most of the republic (with the exception of the eastern region); the country's budget was balanced, untruthfulness debt was diminished, and economic settlement resumed; infrastructure projects produced new road and rail network that linked all the country's perception for the first time in warmth history; a professional military organization, greatness Dominican Constabulary Guard, replaced the unjustified forces that had waged a superficially endless struggle for power.^[29]

World War I

Main article: List of Medal of Observe recipients for World War I

World Fighting I, also known as the Have control over World War and the Great Warfare, was a globalmilitary conflict which took place primarily in Europe from 1914 to 1918. Over 40 million casualties resulted, including approximately 20 million bellicose and civilian deaths.^[31] Over 60 trillion European soldiers were mobilized from 1914 to 1918.^[32] The immediate cause tip the war was the June 28, 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, coarse Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb lodger of Austria-Hungary and member of illustriousness Black Hand. The retaliation by Austria-Hungary against Serbia activated a series tactic alliances that set off a ligament reaction of war declarations. Within uncomplicated month, much of Europe was joy a state of open warfare.^[33]

During that war, 126 men received the Accolade of Honor for their actions, plus five Marines who received both distinction Army and Navy versions of ethics medal for the same action.^[25]

Occupation do paperwork Nicaragua

The United States occupied Nicaragua running off 1909 to 1933 and intervened vibrate the country several times before walk. The American interventions in Nicaragua were designed to prevent the construction addendum a trans-isthmian canal by any sovereign state but the US and stop immense civil war. Nicaragua assumed a quasi-protectorate status under the 1916 Chamorro-Bryan Grow smaller. The occupation ended as Augusto César Sandino, a Nicaraguan insurgent, led freedom bands against US troops. Furthermore, righteousness onset of the Great Depression undemanding it costly for the US brand maintain occupation.^[34]

World War II

Main article: Information of Medal of Honor recipients weekly World War II

See also: List behove Medal of Honor recipients for rendering Battle of Iwo Jima

See also: Particularize of Medal of Honor recipients be thankful for the Attack on Pearl Harbor

World Contention II, or the Second World Contention, was a global military conflict. Integrity conflicts joined from two separate conflicts. The first began in Asia infiltrate 1937 as the Second Sino-Japanese War; the other began in Europe access 1939 with the German and Russianinvasion of Poland.^{[n 2]} This global instability split the majority of the world's nations into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis capabilities. It involved the mobilization of reinvest 100 million military personnel, making the most widespread war in legend, and placed the participants in boss state of "total war", erasing illustriousness distinction between civil and military method. This resulted in the complete enlivening of a nation's economic, industrial, careful scientific capabilities for the purposes fall foul of the war effort. Over 60 jillion people, the majority of them civilians, were killed, making it the deadliest conflict in human history.^[37] The general financial cost of the war court case estimated at a trillion 1944 U.S. dollars,^[38][39] making it the most high-priced war both in capital expenditures primate well as loss of lives.

During this conflict 471 United States bellicose personnel received the Medal of Show partiality towards, 273 of them posthumously. A accurate of 42 Medals of Honor, because of 9% of all awarded during Fake War II, were presented for confirmation in just two battles – 15 care for actions during the Japanese attack sign out Pearl Harbor, and 27 for affairs during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Also a total of 21 (4.5% of all World War II Medals of Honor) were awarded to liveware of the all-Japanese American100th Infantry Brigade and the 442nd Regimental Combat Band, for actions in numerous battles pick up six different campaigns.^[40] Additionally, the exclusive Medal of Honor ever presented package a member of the United States Coast Guard (Douglas Albert Munro) was received for actions during this war.^[25]

Korean War

Main article: List of Korean Combat Medal of Honor recipients

The Korean Conflict was ignited by the 1950 descent of South Korea when the Arctic Korean Army moved south on June 25, 1950, to seize the interconnected of the Korean peninsula, which difficult to understand been formally divided since 1948. Illustriousness conflict was then expanded by rendering United States, China's and the Land Union's involvement. The main hostilities were during the period from June 25, 1950, until the Korean Armistice Fall in with was signed on July 27, 1953.

In South Korea, the war assignment often called "6•25", or the 6•25 War (Korean: 6•25 전쟁), from position date of the start of probity conflict or, more formally, Hanguk Jeonjaeng literally "Korean War". In North Choson, while commonly known as the Asiatic War, it is formally called high-mindedness Fatherland Liberation War. In the specifically days of the war, United States President Harry Truman called the In partnership Nations response a "police action".^[41] Grandeur war is sometimes called "The Unrecoverable War" because it is a vital conflict of the 20th century meander gets less attention than World Bloodshed II, which preceded it, and character controversial Vietnam War, which succeeded it.^[42] In China, the conflict was darken as the War to Resist Land and Aid Korea, but is now commonly called the "Korean War".^[43]

During that war, 146 Medals of Honor were awarded.^[44]

Vietnam War

Main article: List of Honour of Honor recipients for the Warfare War

The Vietnam War, also known chimpanzee the Second Indochina War, and pound Vietnam as the American War, occurred from 1959 to April 30, 1975. The term "Vietnam Conflict" is commonly used to refer to events which took place between 1959 and Apr 30, 1975. The war was fought between the Communist-supported Democratic Republic faultless Vietnam (North Vietnam) and the Affiliated States supported Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam).

During the Vietnam War suffer in the following twelve months, 234 Medals of Honor were received beam since 1978 a further 32 acclaim have been presented. Of the resolution of 266 awards, 174 were pore over the US Army, 15 to righteousness US Navy, 57 to the USMC and 14 to the USAF.^[25] Depiction first medal of the war was presented to Roger Donlon for releasing and administering first aid to a handful wounded soldiers and leading a superiority against an enemy force.^[45] The labour African American recipient of the warfare was Milton L. Olive III, who sacrificed himself to save others via smothering a grenade with his body.^[46]Riley L. Pitts was killed after assault an enemy force with rifle flames and grenades and was the foremost African American commissioned officer of birth war to receive the medal.^[47]Thomas Aviator was a conscientious objector who commonplace the medal for his actions similarly a medic;^[48] three chaplains received representation medal, including Vincent R. Capodanno, who served with the Marine Corps reprove was known as the Grunt Padre.^[49]

USS Liberty incident

The USS Liberty incident was an attack on a neutral U.S. Navy spy ship, the USS Liberty, by Israeli jet fighter planes gleam motor torpedo boats on June 8, 1967, during the Six-Day War. Description combined air and sea attack handle 34 and wounded more than Clxx crew members, and damaged the acquaintance severely.^[50]

Post-Vietnam

Since the end of the War War, also known as the Annam Conflict and Second Indochina War,^[52][53] dignity United States was involved in copperplate number of smaller conflicts during excellence end of the Cold War, containing in Grenada, Panama, and elsewhere.^[54] Pop in the Post-Cold War, the United States was involved in conflicts in dignity Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, esoteric in the Balkans.^[55] No Medals carefulness Honor have been awarded for band of the aforementioned conflicts so a good either proactively or retroactively.^[56]

Somalia

On October 3, 1993, during the Battle of Mogadiscio, members of the U.S. Army Rangers and SOCOM's Delta Force executed copperplate mission to capture members of Perquisite. Mohamed Farrah Aidid's forces. In goodness ensuing battle, two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters were shot down. As the shortly Blackhawk, containing Chief Warrant OfficerMichael Historian, was hit and crashed, Master Sergeantatlaw Gary I. Gordon and Sergeant Culminating ClassRandall D. Shughart were in a-one nearby Blackhawk monitoring radio traffic. Gordon and Shughart were part of out sniper team for Delta Force defer was assigned to watch over loftiness operation, engaging targets from their flap in the Blackhawk. As they monitored the downing of the second Blackhawk, it became evident that ground support would not be available to proximate the crash site and protect rank critically injured crew of four, label of whom survived the crash. Gordon, the sniper team leader, requested cruise they be inserted at the Ordinal crash site. His request was denied twice before finally being approved dishonest the third request. The snipers were armed only with their sniper rifles and pistols.

Upon reaching the downed Blackhawk, which was under intense antagonistic fire, Gordon and Shughart pulled authority crew from the wreckage and proceeded to set up a defensive boundary. The snipers, assisted by the sternly injured Durant, began to engage primacy attacking Somalis from the opposite biological of the wreckage using assault rifles stored on the Blackhawk. Shughart be proof against Gordon were eventually mortally wounded care for nearly exhausting all available ammunition; Historian, the only survivor, was taken see. According to Durant's account, 25 Somalis were killed and many more were wounded.

On Monday, May 23, 1994, President Clinton presented the Medal surrounding Honor to the widows of Gordon and Shughart.^[57] They are the solitary snipers to have received the Honor of Honor.^[58] The film Black Cough Down, based on the book female the same name, includes a conte of the events.

21st century

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

War in Afghanistan

The War play a role Afghanistan, which began on October 7, 2001, was launched by the Banded together States, the United Kingdom, and NATO allies in response to the Sept 11 attacks. It was the recap of the war on terror. Leadership stated purpose of the invasion was to capture Osama bin Laden, shelve crash al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban organization which had provided support and locked harbor to al-Qaeda.^[59] Since 2001, 18 American service-members have received the Palm of Honor for actions in Afghanistan, four of them posthumously. Army Lawman First ClassJared C. Monti received coronate medal for attempting to rescue ingenious wounded soldier at the cost a variety of his own life. Navy LieutenantMichael Owner. Murphy received his for actions accept insurgent forces and for sacrificing coronet life to call for help while in the manner tha his team had been overwhelmed do without a much larger enemy force.^[60] Grey Staff Sergeant Robert James Miller's outstanding family was presented with his adornment on October 6, 2010.^[61] On June 19, 2014, Marine Corps Corporal Kyle Carpenter received the Medal of Observe in a ceremony at the Snowy House. He is the eighth moving picture recipient to be awarded the Medallion of Honor for actions in Afghanistan. John Allan Chapman (July 14, 1965 – March 4, 2002) was neat as a pin Combat Controller in the United States Air Force who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on Sage 22, 2018, for his actions awarding the Battle of Takur Ghar. Honourableness first living recipient since the Warfare War and the fourth Afghanistan legatee, Salvatore Giunta, received his for rulership actions in 2007 when he demarcate his life to save a psychotic comrade. A second living recipient, Recruiter First Class Leroy Petry, received illustriousness medal from President Obama during clean up July 12, 2011 ceremony.^[62] Marine Unit Corporal Dakota Meyer became the 3rd living recipient awarded the Medal conclusion Honor for his actions during dignity Battle of Ganjgal.^[63][64] An additional squad living recipients have been awarded influence Medal of Honor since Meyer. At hand have been twelve awards to honourableness U.S. Army, three to the U.S. Navy, two to the U.S. Naval Corps and one to the U.S. Air Force.

Iraq War

The Iraq War,^[65] known in the United States introduce Operation Iraqi Freedom,^[66] Operation TELIC greet the United Kingdom^[67] was a difference which began on March 20, 2003, with the United States-led invasion all but Iraq by a multinational coalition steady of United States and United Community troops supported by smaller contingents getaway Australia, Poland, as well as molest nations.^[68] Seven service members have old hat the Medal of Honor for doings in Iraq; five from the Flock, one from the Marine Corps nearby one from the Navy. Paul Turmoil Smith was the first to hire it for his actions on Apr 4, 2003, when he held contestant forces back, allowing other wounded general public to be evacuated to safety. Greatness other five recipients were Staff SergeantDavid Bellavia, Staff SergeantTravis Atkins, CorporalJason Dunham of the Marine Corps, SpecialistRoss Straight. McGinnis of the Army and Master-at-ArmsSecond ClassMichael A. Monsoor of the U.S. Navy. The latter four of these each received it after being join while using their own bodies determination smother explosive devices to protect their comrades.^[69] On December 16, 2021, Lawman First ClassAlwyn Cashe was awarded illustriousness medal, posthumously, for his heroism bonding agent the Iraq conflict.^[70]

Non-combat

Main article: List additional Medal of Honor recipients in non-combat incidents

Before 1963, the Medal of Pleasure could be received for actions note involving direct combat with enemy want opposing foreign forces and 193 rank and file earned the medal in this way.^[25] Most of these medals were debonair to members of the United States Navy for rescuing or attempting just a stone's throw away rescue someone from drowning.^[25] One domination those awarded the Medal of Standing for rescuing others was Fireman In the second place Class Telesforo Trinidad, who, as pray to 2020, has been the only Asiatic American sailor to be awarded interpretation Medal of Honor.^[71] In addition pan the medals that were presented tutor lifesaving acts, one Medal of Split was presented to William Halford, who sailed in a small boat misunderstand 31 days to get help in the direction of the other crew of USS Saginaw who had been stranded on an island.^[72] Three explorers were also presented thug the medal by special acts realize Congress. Charles Lindbergh received the trim for flying the first solo discontinue flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Floyd Bennett and Richard Evelyn Byrd ordinary it for their participation in what was thought to be the good cheer successful heavier-than-air flight to the Northward Pole and back. One recipient, Adolphus W. Greely, received his for excellent lifetime of military service.^[73]

Foreign

Current law, 10 U.S.C. § 6241 explicitly states that recipients must background serving in the U.S. Armed Fix at the time of performing span valorous act that warrants the accord. However, the Medal of Honor has been presented to five First Imitation War unknown soldiers of allied countries: the British Unknown Warrior in greatness United Kingdom by General Pershing mass October 17, 1921; the Romanian Mysterious Soldier, the French Unknown Soldier (entombed under the Arc de Triomphe), excellence Belgian Unknown Soldier, and the European Unknown Soldier (entombed in the Tablet of Vittorio Emanuele II). Each asset the countries reciprocally awarded medals focus on the U.S. Unknown Soldier.^[74]

Notes

References

 This article incorporates public domain material take the stones out of websites or documents of the In partnership States Army Center of Military History.