The most recent recipients of the Medal of Honor were awarded posthumously on July 3, 2024, to Civil War Army Pvt. Philip G. Shadrach and George D. Wilson for the actions they took hijacking the Confederate Railroad on April 12, 1862. Interestingly, the very first Medal of Honor was awarded on March 25, 1863, to Union Army soldier Private Jacob Parrott who participated in that same mission – the Great Locomotive Chase. Many deserving men and women of the armed forces have served the U.S. and come from all over the nation. These are the states with the highest number of Medal of Honor recipients.
Over 3,500 Medals of Honor have been awarded in total. Whether posthumously or while a service member is here to receive the medal in person, like former Army 1st Lt. Larry L. Taylor, who was recognized for his service during the Vietnam War, this select group of American armed forces members demonstrated exceptional bravery in combat. (Here are the most decorated war heroes in the U.S.)
24/7 Tempo analyzed data from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to determine the states with the highest number of Medal of Honor recipients. States are ranked based on the total number of recipients who enlisted in the armed services from each state. All information is sourced directly from the society. The number of recipients by state typically reflects its population size and the time of its admission to the Union.
Here are the states with the highest number of Medal of Honor recipients:
50. Alaska
Alaska does not have any Medal of Honor recipients enlisted from the state, making it irrelevant to identify the conflict or service branch with the most recipients.
49. Nevada
In Nevada, there are two Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted from the state. One recipient served in the U.S. Army, and the conflict with the most recipients from Nevada is the Indian Campaigns, also with one recipient.
48. South Dakota
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in South Dakota is three. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of two, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of two.
47. Wyoming
Three Medal of Honor recipients enlisted in Wyoming, all serving in the U.S. Army. Among them, two recipients were recognized for their actions during World War II.
46. Hawaii
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Hawaii is seven. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of seven, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Vietnam War, with a total of five.
45. Utah
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Utah is five. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Navy, with a total of four, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of three.
44. Montana
Eight Medal of Honor recipients enlisted in Montana, predominantly serving in the U.S. Army, which accounted for seven of these recipients. Among them, five recipients were recognized for their actions during World War II.
43. New Mexico
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of New Mexico is nine. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of three, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of three.
42. Idaho
Ten Medal of Honor recipients enlisted in Idaho, with the U.S. Army having the highest number at six recipients. Among these, four recipients were recognized for their actions during the Korean War.
41. Arkansas
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Arkansas is 11. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of seven, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of seven.
40. Delaware
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Delaware is 13. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 11, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of nine.
39. Oregon
Thirteen Medal of Honor recipients enlisted from the state of Oregon. The U.S. Army has the highest number of recipients at ten, with four of them recognized for their actions during the Vietnam War.
38. Arizona
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Arizona is 14. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of nine, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Vietnam War, with a total of nine.
37. North Dakota
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of North Dakota is 17. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 14, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Philippine Insurrection, with a total of nine.
36. Mississippi
In Mississippi, 18 Medal of Honor recipients enlisted from the state, predominantly in the U.S. Army, which accounted for 12 recipients. Among them, six recipients were recognized for their actions during World War II.
35. Nebraska
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Nebraska is 20. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of ten, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of four.
34. North Carolina
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of North Carolina is 20. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 14, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of seven.
33. Alabama
In Alabama, 21 Medal of Honor recipients enlisted from the state of Alabama, primarily in the U.S. Army, which had 13 recipients. Among them, eight recipients were recognized for their actions during World War II.
31. Georgia
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Georgia is 22. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 11, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Vietnam War, with a total of nine.
32. Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, 22 Medal of Honor recipients enlisted from the state predominantly in the U.S. Army, which accounted for 17 recipients. Among them, 13 recipients were recognized for their actions during World War II.
30. Colorado
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Colorado is 23. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 14, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of 10.
29. Florida
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Florida is 23. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of nine, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Vietnam War, with a total of 11.
28. Louisiana
In Louisiana, 24 Medal of Honor recipients enlisted from the state, primarily in the U.S. Army, which had 13 recipients. Among them, seven recipients were recognized for their actions during the Vietnam War.
27. Kansas
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Kansas is 28. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 23, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Indian Campaigns, with a total of nine.
26. Rhode Island
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Rhode Island is 31. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 22, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 22.
25. Washington
In Washington State, 31 Medal of Honor recipients enlisted, with the U.S. Army having the highest number at 17. Among them, 13 recipients were recognized for their actions during World War II.
24. South Carolina
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in South Carolina is 32. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 19, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War I, with a total of eight.
23. Tennessee
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Tennessee is 34. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 27, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of seven.
22. New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, 36 Medal of Honor recipients enlisted from the state, predominantly in the U.S. Army, which accounted for 25 recipients. Among them, 30 recipients were recognized for their service during the Civil War.
21. Kentucky
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Kentucky is 43. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 35, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Indian Campaigns, with a total of 14.
20. West Virginia
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of West Virginia is 45. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 39, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 26.
19. Minnesota
In Minnesota, 46 Medal of Honor recipients enlisted from the state, primarily in the U.S. Army, which had 33 recipients. Among them, 16 recipients were recognized for their actions during the Civil War.
18. Vermont
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Vermont is 47. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 43, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 43.
17. Virginia
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Virginia is 50. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 24, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 10.
16. Wisconsin
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Wisconsin is 50. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 38, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 17.
15. Iowa
In Iowa, 54 Medal of Honor recipients enlisted from the state, primarily in the U.S. Army, which had 45 recipients. Among them, 30 recipients were recognized for their service during the Civil War.
14. Connecticut
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Connecticut is 56. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army with a total of 38, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 36.
13. Maine
In Maine, 66 Medal of Honor recipients enlisted from the state, predominantly in the U.S. Army, which accounted for 40 recipients. Among them, 48 recipients were recognized for their service during the Civil War.
12. Indiana
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Indiana is 74. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 61, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 45.
11. Texas
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Texas is 76. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army with a total of 50, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of 32.
10. Missouri
In Missouri, 78 Medal of Honor recipients enlisted from the state, predominantly in the U.S. Army, which accounted for 63 recipients. Among them, 26 recipients were recognized for their actions during the Indian Campaigns.
9. Maryland
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Maryland is 83. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 49, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 41.
8. New Jersey
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in New Jersey is 94. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 60, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 35.
7. Michigan
In Michigan, 109 Medal of Honor recipients enlisted from the state, primarily in the U.S. Army, which had 94 recipients. Among those, 62 recipients were recognized for their actions during the Civil War.
6. California
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of California is 138. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 89, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Indian Campaigns, with a total of 29.
5. Illinois
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Illinois is 207. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army with a total of 159, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 112.
4. Ohio
In Ohio, 255 Medal of Honor recipients enlisted from the state, primarily in the U.S. Army, which accounted for 219 recipients. Among them, 154 recipients were recognized for their actions during the Civil War.
3. Massachusetts
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Massachusetts is 265. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army with a total of 140, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 132.
2. Pennsylvania
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Pennsylvania is 381. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army with a total of 273, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 213.
1. New York
In New York, 672 Medal of Honor recipients enlisted from the state. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army with a total of 409, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 383.