The Most Decorated War Heroes in U.S. History

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

Military grade: Corporal
Service branch: Army
Fought in: WWI
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross

Audie L. Murphy

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

Military grade: Gunnery sergeant
Service branch: Marines
Fought in: WWI
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross

David McCampbell

Military grade: Commander
Service branch: Navy
Fought in: WWII
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star

Douglas MacArthur

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

Military grade: First lieutenant
Service branch: Army
Fought in: WWI
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross

Eugene B. Fluckey

Military grade: Commander
Service branch: Navy
Fought in: WWII
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross

Frank Luke, Jr.

Military grade: Second lieutenant
Service branch: Army
Fought in: WWI
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross

George A. Davis

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

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.

Military grade: Lieutenant colonel
Service branch: Army
Fought in: WWII
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star

Gordon Johnston

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Military grade: Admiral
Service branch: Navy
Fought in: Mexican Revolution, WWI, WWII
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross

Lawson P. Ramage

Military grade: Commander
Service branch: Navy
Fought in: WWII
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star

Leon W. Johnson

Military grade: General
Service branch: Army/Air Force
Fought in: WWII
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Silver Star

Lewis L. Millett

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

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

Military grade: Sergeant
Service branch: Marines
Fought in: WWI
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Silver Star

Matej Kocak

Military grade: Sergeant
Service branch: Marines
Fought in: WWI
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Silver Star

Matt L. Urban

Military grade: Captain
Service branch: Army
Fought in: WWII
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Silver Star

Melvin Morris

Military grade: Sergeant
Service branch: Army
Fought in: Vietnam War
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross

Merritt A. Edson

Military grade: Colonel
Service branch: Marines
Fought in: WWII
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star

Neel E. Kearby

Military grade: Colonel
Service branch: Army
Fought in: WWII
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Silver Star

Patrick H. Brady

Military grade: Major
Service branch: Army
Fought in: Vietnam War
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross

Raymond G. Davis

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

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

Military grade: Commander
Service branch: Navy
Fought in: WWII
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star

Richard I. Bong

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

Robert L. Howard

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

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.

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

William J. Donovan

Military grade: Colonel
Service branch: Army
Fought in: WWI, WWII
Medal(s) of valor: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star