America's Most Honored Military Heroes

The men and women of the United States military have sacrificed their individual freedom – and still continue to do so – to protect the freedom of the American people. America stands as a nation today thanks to their immense sacrifices and unwavering service of our armed forces and we owe these heroes, and many of these decorated war heroes, a great debt of gratitude for putting their lives on the line.

Those who have lost their lives in the line of duty have been honored and memorialized in various ways. Memorial Day is when we honor those who have fought and died for our nation. Veteran's Day is when we honor those who are still living who have fought for our country. Both days are commemorated with parades across the nation, in small towns and big cities.

To compile a list of the most decorated war heroes in the U.S., 24/7 Tempo, reviewed information from various sources including the Department of Defense. All individuals included on this list have been awarded the most prestigious military decoration in the United States, the Medal of Honor. Nearly 3,500 have been awarded, with more than 600 being presented posthumously.

Many honored also received the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second-highest military honor. As earlier awards were often influenced by political factors, this list highlights those who served after the Civil War. Only American medals are included and they were given to service members who demonstrated extraordinary bravery and selflessness in battle. (Here is a list of the most famous battles in American history.)

These are Medals of Honor: 40 of the most decorated war heroes in the U.S.:

Alvin York

Rank: Corporal
Military branch: Army
Served in: WWI
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross

Audie L. Murphy

Rank: Second lieutenant
Military branch: Army
Served in: WWII
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Daniel J. Daly

Rank: Gunnery sergeant
Military branch: Marines
Served in: WWI
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross

David McCampbell

Rank: Commander
Military branch: Navy
Served in: WWII
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star

Douglas MacArthur

Rank: General
Military branch: Army
Served in: WWI, WWII, Korean War
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Edward V. Rickenbacker

Rank: First lieutenant
Military branch: Army
Served in: WWI
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross

Eugene B. Fluckey

Rank: Commander
Military branch: Navy
Served in: WWII
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross

Frank Luke, Jr.

Rank: Second lieutenant
Military branch: Army
Served in: WWI
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross

George A. Davis

Rank: Major
Military branch: Army/Air Force
Served in: WWII, Korean War
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

George E. Day

Rank: Colonel
Military branch: Air Force/Army/Marines
Served in: WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Air Force Cross, Silver Star

George L. Mabry, Jr.

Rank: Lieutenant colonel
Military branch: Army
Served in: WWII
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Gordon Johnston

Rank: First lieutenant
Military branch: Army
Served in: WWI
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Henry L. Hulbert

Rank: First lieutenant
Military branch: Marines
Served in: WWI
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross

Herman H. Hanneken

Rank: Second lieutenant
Military branch: Marines
Served in: Banana Wars, WWI, WWII
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star

Jack L. Treadwell

Rank: Captain
Military branch: Army
Served in: WWII, Vietnam War
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

James E. Williams

Rank: Boatswain's mate first class
Military branch: Navy
Served in: the Korean War, Vietnam War
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star

Joel T. Boone

Rank: Lieutenant
Military branch: Navy
Served in: WWI, WWII, Korean War
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

John C. McCloy

Rank: Lieutenant commander
Military branch: Navy
Served in: Boxer Rebellion, Battle of Veracruz
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross

John D. Bulkeley

Rank: Lieutenant commander
Military branch: Navy
Served in: WWII
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Silver Star

John H. Quick

Rank: Sergeant Major
Military branch: Marines
Served in: WWI
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross

Jonas H. Ingram

Rank: Admiral
Military branch: Navy
Served in: the Mexican Revolution, WWI, WWII
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross

Lawson P. Ramage

Rank: Commander
Military branch: Navy
Served in: WWII
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star

Leon W. Johnson

Rank: General
Military branch: Army/Air Force
Served in: WWII
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Silver Star

Lewis L. Millett

Rank: Captain
Military branch: Army
Served in: WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam War
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Lloyd L. Burke

Rank: First lieutenant
Military branch: Army
Served in: WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam War
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Louis Cukela

Rank: Sergeant
Military branch: Marines
Served in: WWI
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Silver Star

Matej Kocak

Rank: Sergeant
Military branch: Marines
Served in: WWI
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Silver Star

Matt L. Urban

Rank: Captain
Military branch: Army
Served in: WWII
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Silver Star

Melvin Morris

Rank: Sergeant
Military branch: Army
Served in: the Vietnam War
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross

Merritt A. Edson

Rank: Colonel
Military branch: Marines
Served in: WWII
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star

Neel E. Kearby

Rank: Colonel
Military branch: Army
Served in: WWII
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Silver Star

Patrick H. Brady

Rank: Major
Military branch: Army
Served in: the Vietnam War
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross

Raymond G. Davis

Rank: Lieutenant colonel
Military branch: Marines
Served in: WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam War
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star

Raymond Harvey

Rank: Captain
Military branch: Army
Served in: WWII, Korean War
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Richard H. O'Kane

Rank: Commander
Military branch: Navy
Served in: WWII
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star

Richard I. Bong

Rank: Major
Military branch: Army
Served in: WWII
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Robert L. Howard

Rank: Captain
Military branch: Army
Served in: the Vietnam War
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Samuel D. Dealey

Rank: Commander
Military branch: Navy
Served in: WWII
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Thomas B. McGuire, Jr.

Rank: Major
Military branch: Army
Served in: WWII
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

William J. Donovan

Rank: Colonel
Military branch: Army
Served in: WWI, WWII
Medal(s) of Valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star