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The Most Decorated War Heroes in the US History

The Most Decorated War Heroes in the US History

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To put your life on the line and serve your country is thought of as the ultimate act of service. Military members from around the world are often called to duty, to battle for the rights and freedoms of their nation, as well as to help their allies. These members of the United States Armed Forces have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our liberty and freedom.

There have been many who have lost their lives in the line of duty and have been honored and memorialized in various ways. Since the inception of the United States, military leaders have been awarded medals and recognized for their bravery and service on and off the battlefield. The first authorized military medal of recognition in the country, established by General George Washington, one of the seven founding fathers, was the Badge of Military Merit. This was the predecessor of the Purple Heart and like its forerunner, recognized service by all ranks.

While not every service member is honored with a medal, as each branch of service has different eligible criteria, some were given the highest honors and awarded the Medal of Honor, which is the most prestigious military decoration granted in the United States. This list highlights those who served following the Civil War, as earlier awards were often influenced by political factors. 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.)

To create a list of the most decorated war heroes in the U.S., 24/7 Tempo reviewed information obtained from sources like the Department of Defense. All individuals listed here have been awarded the Medal of Honor. Nearly 3,500 Medals of Honor have been awarded, with more than 600 being presented posthumously. Many of those honored also received the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second-highest military honor.

Today, we honor our fallen military on Memorial Day, our former soldiers on Veteran’s Day (also celebrated by other Allied nations but known as Armistice or Remembrance Day), and our current service members on Armed Forces Day, and although there is a National Military Appreciation month (May), our military – whether past or present – should be honored as the heroes they are, every day, for their ultimate sacrifices.

Then there is Independence Day, the day we celebrate the freedom of our nation, a freedom that was fought by the heroes of the Revolutionary War. (If you’re Canadian, or of Canadian descent, you might celebrate Canada Day as well.)

Here are the most decorated war heroes in the U.S.

Alvin York

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Corporal
  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: WWI
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross

Audie L. Murphy

Source: Horace Abrahams / Keystone / Getty Images

Source: Horace Abrahams / Keystone / Getty Images
  • Military grade: Second lieutenant
  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: WWII
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Daniel J. Daly

  • Source: Public Domain / WIkimedia Commons

    Source: Public Domain / WIkimedia Commons

    Military grade: Gunnery sergeant

  • Service branch: Marines
  • Fought in: WWI
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross

David McCampbell

Source: Public Domain / WIkimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain / WIkimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Commander
  • Service branch: Navy
  • Fought in: WWII
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star

Douglas MacArthur

Source: Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Source: Hulton Archive / Getty Images
  • Military grade: General
  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: WWI, WWII, Korean War
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Edward V. Rickenbacker

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: First lieutenant
  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: WWI
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross

Eugene B. Fluckey

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Commander
  • Service branch: Navy
  • Fought in: WWII
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross

Frank Luke, Jr.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Second lieutenant
  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: WWI
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross

George A. Davis

  • Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

    Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

    Military grade: Major

  • Service branch: Army/Air Force
  • Fought in: WWII, Korean War
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

George E. Day

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

U.S. Air Force Medal of Honor recipients are photographed with, standing from left, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz and Commander of Air Education and Training Command Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz during the Air Education and Training Command 2010 Symposium at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 15, 2010. The honorees, seated from left, are retired Cols. Leo K. Thorsness, Bernard F. Fisher, George E. Day, Joe M. Jackson and James P. Fleming. (U.S. Air Force photo by Don Lindsey/Released)

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Colonel
  • Service branch: Air Force/Army/Marines
  • Fought in: WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Air Force Cross, Silver Star

George L. Mabry, Jr.

  • Source: US Army / Wikimedia Commons

    Source: US Army / Wikimedia Commons

    Military grade: Lieutenant colonel

  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: WWII
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Gordon Johnston

Source: The Library of Congress / Flickr

Source: The Library of Congress / Flickr
  • Military grade: First lieutenant
  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: WWI
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Henry L. Hulbert

Source: USMC / Wikimedia Commons

Source: USMC / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
  • Military grade: First lieutenant
  • Service branch: Marines
  • Fought in: WWI
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross

Herman H. Hanneken

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Second lieutenant
  • Service branch: Marines
  • Fought in: Banana Wars, WWI, WWII
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star

Jack L. Treadwell

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Captain
  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: WWII, Vietnam War
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

James E. Williams

Source: US Navy / Wikimedia Commons

Source: US Navy / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
  • Military grade: Boatswain’s mate first class
  • Service branch: Navy
  • Fought in: Korean War, Vietnam War
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star

Joel T. Boone

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Lieutenant
  • Service branch: Navy
  • Fought in: WWI, WWII, Korean War
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

John C. McCloy

Source: U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist John Lill / Released / Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain / U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist John Lill / Released / Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Lieutenant commander
  • Service branch: Navy
  • Fought in: Boxer Rebellion, Battle of Veracruz
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross

John D. Bulkeley

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Lieutenant commander
  • Service branch: Navy
  • Fought in: WWII
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Silver Star

John H. Quick

Source: Courtesy of Marine Corps Base Quantico

Source: Pubic Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Sergeant major
  • Service branch: Marines
  • Fought in: WWI
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross

Jonas H. Ingram

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Admiral
  • Service branch: Navy
  • Fought in: Mexican Revolution, WWI, WWII
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross

Lawson P. Ramage

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Commander
  • Service branch: Navy
  • Fought in: WWII
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star

Leon W. Johnson

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: General
  • Service branch: Army/Air Force
  • Fought in: WWII
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Silver Star

Lewis L. Millett

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Retired Army Colonel (COL) Lewis Millett, a Korean War Medal of Honor recipient, salutes the flag at a memorial service commemorating the charge he led up Bayonet Hill in 1951. The service is being held during the joint U.S/South Korean Exercise TEAM SPIRIT 85.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Captain
  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Lloyd L. Burke

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: First lieutenant
  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Louis Cukela

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Sergeant
  • Service branch: Marines
  • Fought in: WWI
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Silver Star

Matej Kocak

Source: U.S. Navy / Wikimedia Commons

Source: U.S. Navy / Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Sergeant
  • Service branch: Marines
  • Fought in: WWI
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Silver Star

Matt L. Urban

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Captain
  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: WWII
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Silver Star

Melvin Morris

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Sergeant
  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: Vietnam War
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross

Merritt A. Edson

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Colonel
  • Service branch: Marines
  • Fought in: WWII
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star

Neel E. Kearby

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Colonel
  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: WWII
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Silver Star

Patrick H. Brady

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

BGEN Patrick H. Brady, USA (uncovered) Medal of Honor Recipient

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Major
  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: Vietnam War
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross

Raymond G. Davis

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Lieutenant colonel
  • Service branch: Marines
  • Fought in: WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star

Raymond Harvey

  • Source: United States Army / Wikimedia Commons

    Source: United States Army / Wikimedia Commons

    Military grade: Captain

  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: WWII, Korean War
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Richard H. O’Kane

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Commander
  • Service branch: Navy
  • Fought in: WWII
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star

Richard I. Bong

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Maj. Thomas B. McGuire Jr. with Richard I. Bong (Majs. Bong and McGuire were the top two scoring U.S. aces in World War II with 40 and 38 victories, respectively; taken Nov. 15, 1944 in the Philippines). (U.S. Air Force photo)

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Major
  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: WWII
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Robert L. Howard

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Retired Army Command Sergeant Major Gary Littrell and retired Army Colonel Robert Howard write greetings on a 2,000lb Guided Bomb Unit -31V1 before it is loaded onto a B-1B Lancer for delivery to the enemy, Apr. 8, 2009, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The Medal of Honor recipients were on base as part of a USO Medal of Honor tour of the U.S. Central Commands area of responsibility. Both men are here to inspire and acknowledge servicemembers who are supporting Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Andrew Satran/released)

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Captain
  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: Vietnam War
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Samuel D. Dealey

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Commander
  • Service branch: Navy
  • Fought in: WWII
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Thomas B. McGuire, Jr.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Major
  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: WWII
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

William J. Donovan

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Military grade: Colonel
  • Service branch: Army
  • Fought in: WWI, WWII
  • Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star
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