The 15 Most Unbelievable Medal of Honor Recipients of All Time

It's always important to be reminded of the amazing sacrifices that people make to help their fellow soldiers and protect our way of life. There are several men in the history of war who jumped on top of hand grenades as they exploded so that they could save the lives of the people around them. There are also several brave medics on this list who put their lives at risk to cross enemy lines and save others.

To find and determine the most unbelievable Medal of Honor recipients of all time, 24/7 Tempo scoured the net and sourced various historical and government websites. They include the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, the National Medal of Honor Museum, and the National Cemetery Administration, among others. We think you'll be truly inspired by the bravery of these individuals.

This post was updated June 14th, 2025, to reflect additional information.

• Year: 1863
• Conflict: Civil War

The first of the unbelievable Medal of Honor recipients is Joseph S. Sweatt. During the Civil War, he refused to leave his injured comrades after a brutal conflict. While he tried to rescue them, he was overpowered by the enemy. He was then forced to spend time in the Libby Prisoner of War Camp. After he won the award, he spent some time working for the Navy and then started his own brass foundry.

• Year: 1881
• Conflict: Indian Campaign in New Mexico

Another of the most unbelievable Medal of Honor recipients is Augustus Walley, who was the company cook during this Indian campaign. While the 10th Cavalry was fighting, a sergeant was shot and fell off of his horse. The rest of his company deserted him due to gunfire. However, Walley ran out between enemy lines and carried the fallen officer back to safety. After this altercation, Walley would continue to serve for 30 years.

• Year: 2010
• Conflict: Afghanistan Conflict

The youngest living soldier to get the Medal of Honor is William Carpenter. His unit was in Afghanistan when the Taliban launched a daylight attack by throwing hand grenades. One of the grenades landed next to him and a fellow marine. Without hesitation, Carpenter jumped on the grenade and took the blast. The other man survived, but Carpenter suffered numerous injuries, including shrapnel wounds and the loss of his right eye. He received the medal in 2014.

• Year: 1951
• Conflict: Korean War

Richard DeWert worked as a corpsman during the Korean War, and it was his job to treat the wounded. During a battle with incredibly intense enemy fire, DeWert headed out time and time again to pull several soldiers back to safety. He was shot and wounded several times, but he kept returning to the battlefield. Finally, while helping a Marine, DeWert was shot and killed. Several military ships and schools have been named in his honor.

• Year: 1951
• Conflict: Korean War

His company was occupying a defensive position when the enemy launched a sudden attack. Hiroshi H. Miyamura jumped out of his shelter with only his bayonet and he killed 10 enemies. Then, he returned and helped the wounded soldiers. When the enemy attacked again, he told his company to retreat while he killed another 50 enemies. He was captured and was a prisoner for 28 months. He was finally released and honorably discharged.

• Year: 1966
• Conflict: Vietnam War

While en route to assist another unit, John F. Baker and his unit were suddenly attacked from various points. Baker refused to back down and remained in the fight. During his response, he took out several snipers and four enemy bunkers. He also evacuated six wounded men from behind the lines while he continued to be fired upon. He survived the altercation, and after leaving the military, he went to work for the Veterans Administration.

• Year: 1945
• Conflict: World War II

This is another sad case of a Medal of Honor recipient receiving his award after his death. In this case, it's David M. Gonzales who was fighting in a battle in the Philippine Islands. There was an explosion, and five men were buried in the rubble. While the enemy continued to fire on them, Gonzales dug through the rubble. He was able to save three men. However, he was shot and killed during the escape.

• Year: 1944
• Conflict: World War II

The next of the unbelievable Medal of Honor recipients is James K. Okubo, who was a medic during WWII. While in France, a conflict broke out, and many soldiers were shot and injured. Over a three-day period, Okubo ran and crawled through heavy gunfire to pull many soldiers back so he could treat them and save their lives. In one case, he ran 75 yards to save a soldier. After the war, Okubo became a dentist.

• Year: 1966
• Conflict: Vietnam War

Bennie G. Adkins was fighting in the Vietnam War when his camp was attacked. He went into action, manned a mortar position, and fought back, killing many enemies along the way. At one point, he handed the weapon over to another soldier so he could help his wounded troops. More attacks kept coming, but Adkins stood his ground. In the end, he killed between 135-175 enemies while being shot and wounded himself.

• Year: 1864
• Conflict: Civil War

Mary Walker was a volunteer surgeon during the Civil War. She served the Union even when the Union Army Examining Board deemed women unfit for the job. She received the Medal of Honor because of her tireless efforts to help soldiers. Walker would even cross enemy lines so she could treat civilians. In 1864, she was captured by Confederate soldiers. She was eventually released and is one of very few civilians to get the award.

• Year: 1968
• Conflict: Vietnam War

Joe Jackson was the pilot of a large C-123 plane that was used to transport supplies and wounded soldiers. He volunteered to fly his plane and rescue three soldiers who were trapped in a littered airfield with constant gunfire. Jackson was able to fly his plane and land in the littered airfield, which was close to impossible. The three soldiers were able to jump into the plane, and they were rescued. Jackson retired years later.

• Year: 1966
• Conflict: Korean War

Leo Keith Thorsness was a pilot who was tasked with destroying surface-to-air missiles shot from the enemy. The enemy attacked and two of his fellow pilots had to abandon their aircraft. Even though Thorsness' plane was low on fuel, he returned to the men when it was discovered the enemy was coming back. Thorsness fought them off and scared them away. He was able to rescue his fellow servicemen and safely refuel the plane so they could escape.

• Year: 1862
• Conflict: Civil War

Willie Johnston is the youngest recipient of the Medal of Honor. He served in the military as a drummer boy for Company D. When the soldiers could not hear their officer's orders, the drummer boy communicated the orders through drum beats. During the event known as the Seven Days Retreat, many soldiers dropped their equipment so they could get away faster, but Johnston never dropped his drum and carried it all the way to its destination.

• Year: 1918
• Conflict: World War I

Another of the unbelievable Medal of Honor recipients is Captain George Mallon. While in France, he and his team were separated from the rest of their company. However, that didn't stop him from continuing through enemy territory. While he and his team went forward, they were able to capture 100 prisoners and several valuable pieces of artillery and bring them back to their side. He even attacked one enemy with his fist.

• Year: 1944
• Conflict: World War II

Maxwell was a fifth-grade technician with the 3rd Battalion. While advancing through enemy territory, his unit was attacked with grenade launchers and machine guns. Maxwell and his unit fought back. Suddenly, a hand grenade was thrown into the middle of his group. Maxwell jumped on the grenade with his blanket and absorbed the full explosion. He survived, but he was permanently injured. However, he saved the lives of his men. (Want to learn more about this historic war? Check out this list of the 25 things you didn't know about WWII.)