US Soldiers Awarded the Medal of Honor Twice

The Medal of Honor is a military tradition that dates back to 1861, an honor bestowed to men and women of the armed forces for their valor in combat, those who distinguish themselves with acts of gallantry by going above and beyond the call of duty. Since its inception, over 3,500 medals have been awarded amongst the more than 41 million who have served.

To identify the U.S. soldiers awarded the Medal of Honor twice, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Recipients are ordered by their first Medal of Honor action date. We included supplemental information regarding the branch of the military these recipients served in, their highest rank, state accreditation, and the conflict they were involved in. All information is from the Medal of Honor Society.

Five of the soldiers on this list received two Medals of Honor for the same action. All of these awards came in World War I. Each was awarded the Medal of Honor from both the Army and Navy, and each of these soldiers was a Marine.

Another noteworthy detail about this compilation is that World War I marked the last time a Medal of Honor recipient was honored with the medal twice. Most individuals on this list received their medals before 1900, whether during the Civil War, Indian campaigns, or at some point in between. (Also See The Most Decorated Women in US Military History)

Here are U.S. soldiers awarded the Medal of Honor twice:

• Action Dates: May 25, 1864 & September 14, 1881
• Conflict/Era(s): U.S. Civil War & Interim
• Military branch: U.S. Navy
• Highest rank achieved: First Class Fireman
• Accredited state: Pennsylvania

John Lafferty was a Navy sailor recognized for heroism in two separate incidents. In 1864, he displayed exceptional bravery during a mission to dismantle the Confederate vessel, the Albemarle, enduring challenging conditions in a North Carolina swamp.

Later, in 1881, while serving on the USS Alaska in Callao Bay, Peru, he played a key role in averting a potential disaster by extinguishing a fire in the boiler room.

• Action Dates: July 12, 1864 & November 8, 1874
• Conflict/Era(s): U.S. Civil War & Indian Campaigns
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Major General
• Accredited state: Michigan

Frank Baldwin, a dedicated U.S. Army officer, was thrice nominated for the Medal of Honor for his valiant actions against two foes over his 35-year service in the American West. His heroic exploits ranged from leading a countercharge at the 1864 Battle of Peachtree for his first Medal of Honor to orchestrating a daring rescue mission in Indian Territory for his second award.

Baldwin's military career extended beyond active duty, as he mentored World War I recruits in the National Guard.

• Action Dates: August 5, 1864 & April 26, 1865
• Conflict/Era(s): U.S. Civil War & Interim
• Military branch: U.S. Navy
• Highest rank achieved: Quartermaster
• Accredited state: New York

John Cooper was an Irish-born Medal of Honor recipient who served in the U.S. Navy during the Civil War. Born in 1832, his distinguished service included participating in the Battle of Mobile Bay, where despite the severe damage to his ship, he fought on to victory, leading to the surrender of the prize rebel ram Tennessee and the destruction of the batteries at Fort Morgan.

Cooper was awarded his second Medal of Honor for a courageous rescue during a fire in 1865. Despite the perilous conditions, Cooper saved a wounded soldier from an imminent explosion.

• Action Dates: March 17, 1865 & May 1, 1865
• Conflict/Era(s): U.S. Civil War & Interim
• Military branch: U.S. Navy
• Highest rank achieved: Boatswain's Mate
• Accredited state: Maryland

Irish-born Boatswain's Mate Patrick Mullen earned two Medals of Honor in 1865. On March 17, during a boating expedition, Mullen's howitzer fire dispersed enemy soldiers. Then, on May 1, he saved a drowning officer, hurling himself into the water to rescue his shipmate on the USS Don.

• Action Dates: April 2, 1865 & April 6, 1865
• Conflict/Era(s): U.S. Civil War
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Lieutenant Colonel
• Accredited state: Michigan

A Civil War soldier, Thomas Ward Custer was the first to earn two Medals of Honor. His initial honor was for leading a successful cavalry charge at the Battle of Namozine Church, where he captured a Confederate flag and took 14 prisoners.

Days later, at the Battle of Sailor's Creek, he once more captured a Confederate flag after breaking a Confederate line. Despite being shot in the face, he managed to seize the flag and present it to his brother. Custer, along with his two brothers, died in the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876.

• Action Dates: March 28, 1872 & September 29, 1872
• Conflict/Era(s): Indian Campaigns
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Sergeant
• Accredited state: Pennsylvania

William Wilson received the Medal of Honor twice for distinct acts of bravery in the Indian Wars. He led a successful pursuit of a raiding party in 1872, and a few months later, he led the 4th Cavalry in the Battle of the North Fork of the Red River.

• Action Dates: January 11, 1874 & April 27, 1876
• Conflict/Era(s): Interim
• Military branch: U.S. Navy
• Highest rank achieved: Petty Officer
• Accredited state: Louisiana

Albert Weisbogel, a U.S. Navy serviceman born in 1844 in New Orleans, served on three ships, including the USS Juniata, USS Benicia, and USS Plymouth from 1874 to 1886. He earned two Medals of Honor for his heroic actions during peacetime: once saving a distressed Marine in 1876 and later a drowning shipmate in Jamaica in 1878.

Today, such acts would earn the Navy and Marine Corps Medal instead of the Medal of Honor.

• Action Dates: October 21, 1876 & September 30, 1877
• Conflict/Era(s): Indian Campaigns
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: First Sergeant
• Accredited state: Kansas

Henry Hogan, an Irish-born soldier in Company G, 5th U.S. Infantry, was awarded two Medals of Honor for gallantry. The first was for actions at Cedar Creek, Montana (1876-1877), with limited details in the citation besides "gallantry in action."

The second was awarded after Hogan rescued the severely wounded Lt. Henry Romeyn, himself a Medal of Honor recipient, under heavy gunfire at Bear Paw Mountain, Montana. Hogan is one of three Medal of Honor recipients to save another recipient's life.

• Action Dates: October 26, 1881 & December 20, 1883
• Conflict/Era(s): Interim
• Military branch: U.S. Navy
• Highest rank achieved: Ordinary Seaman
• Accredited state: New Jersey

Robert August Sweeney is the unique recipient of two Medals of Honor. Born in Montserrat in 1853, he migrated to the U.S. and joined the Navy in 1873. His heroism was demonstrated in two notable water rescues: one in 1881 aboard the USS Kearsarge in Virginia, and a second rescue on the USS Yantic in the New York Navy Yard.

Despite the lack of any existing images of him, Sweeney's courageous acts continue to be remembered.

• Action Dates: March 16, 1883 & June 13, 1884
• Conflict/Era(s): Interim
• Military branch: U.S. Navy
• Highest rank achieved: Captain of the Hold
• Accredited state: California

Ludwig Andres Olsen, who was born in 1845 in Oslo, Norway, later assumed the name Louis Williams. While on the USS Lackawanna near Honolulu, Hawaii, in March 1883, Williams heroically rescued a crewmate, Thomas Moran, from drowning.

A year later in Callao, Peru, he repeated this brave act, saving shipmate William Cruise, who had fallen overboard on June 13, 1884. Assisting him was Issac L. Fasseur, another Medal of Honor recipient. Williams, who served 16 years, earned this prestigious award twice for his non-combat valor.

• Action Dates: June 20-22, 1900 & April 22, 1914
• Conflict/Era(s): China Relief Expedition (Boxer Rebellion) & Mexican Campaign
• Military branch: U.S. Navy
• Highest rank achieved: Lieutenant Commander
• Accredited state: New York

Born in New York, John McCloy served in several conflicts, including the Spanish-American War and World War I. He first demonstrated gallantry during the Boxer Rebellion, earning his initial award. His second recognition came in 1914, during the Vera Cruz occupation, despite a leg injury.

Joining the Merchant Marines at age 15, McCloy was honored with two Medals of Honor, the Navy Cross, and a state award for heroism. He retired as a lieutenant in 1928 after two decades of distinguished service.

• Action Dates: August 14, 1900 & October 24, 1915
• Conflict/Era(s): China Relief Expedition (Boxer Rebellion) & Haitian Campaign
• Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
• Highest rank achieved: Sergeant Major
• Accredited state: New York

Daniel Daly was a highly respected Marine, lauded by Maj. Gens. John Lejune and Smedley Butler. He demonstrated extraordinary bravery during the Boxer Rebellion and in Haiti, earning two Medals of Honor.

Known for his stirring battle cry, Daly also captured a machine gun nest single-handedly during World War I. Despite bureaucratic obstacles preventing a third Medal of Honor, he is remembered as one of the finest officers in U.S. Marine Corps history.

• Action Dates: May 29, 1901 & September 13, 1909
• Conflict/Era(s): Interim
• Military branch: U.S. Navy
• Highest rank achieved: Chief Watertender
• Accredited state: New York

John King, an Irish-born U.S. Navy serviceman, was twice decorated for heroic actions during naval accidents. After emigrating to the U.S. at 24, King enlisted in the Navy at 31 and faced dangerous situations on the USS Vicksburg and USS Salem.

Despite injuries, he saved lives and served until 1916, with a brief recall during World War I. Post-service, King returned to Ireland, where a statue honors him, and he was recognized by the U.S. Navy with a namesake guided-missile destroyer.

• Action Dates: April 22, 1914 & November 17, 1915
• Conflict/Era(s): Mexican Campaign & Haitian Campaign
• Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
• Highest rank achieved: Major General
• Accredited state: Pennsylvania

Smedley Butler's service spanned several conflicts, including the Spanish-American War and World War I. Notably, his heroics during the Mexican Revolution and the Cacos resistance in Haiti earned him his Medals of Honor. Additionally, Butler introduced the Marine Corps' first unofficial mascot, a bulldog named Jiggs, and made significant contributions to police reform in Philadelphia.

• Action Dates: June 6, 1918
• Conflict/Era(s): World War I
• Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
• Highest rank achieved: Sergeant Major
• Accredited state: New York

Charles Hoffman was a 39-year-old gunnery sergeant in the 5th Marine Regiment during the Battle of Belleau Wood in France. During this battle, he led a solo counterattack on German soldiers, earning him a Medal of Honor from both the Army and Navy. After the war, he retired as a sergeant major at 48.

• Action Dates: July 18, 1918
• Conflict/Era(s): World War I
• Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
• Highest rank achieved: Major
• Accredited state: Minnesota

Louis Cukela, a Croatian immigrant, served in both the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, enlisting in 1913 and 1917 respectively. During World War I, he single-handedly charged a machine gun nest in France, capturing enemy soldiers and equipment, earning Medals of Honor from both the Army and Navy as well as international valor awards.

Wounded twice but never received a Purple Heart, Cukela continued his service, including overseas deployments, until officially retiring in 1945 after nearly 32 years and earning numerous medals.

• Action Dates: July 18, 1918
• Conflict/Era(s): World War I
• Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
• Highest rank achieved: Sergeant
• Accredited state: New York

Born in what is now Slovakia, Matej Kocak moved to the U.S. in 1906. A veteran of the Marine Corps and Army, he served in the Dominican Republic and WWI France.

On July 18, 1918, both the Army and Navy awarded him the Medal of Honor for his brave solo attack on a German machine gun nest and subsequent leadership of 25 separated French soldiers. Kocak fell in battle in the Argonne Forest in October 1918, at age 36.

• Action Dates: October 3, 1918
• Conflict/Era(s): World War I
• Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
• Highest rank achieved: Private
• Accredited state: Illinois

John J. Kelly received both Army and Navy Medals of Honor as a teenager. His valor was showcased in World War I battles such as Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel, Blanc Mont, and the Meuse-Argonne.

In a notable act at Blanc Mont Ridge, he braved an artillery storm to capture an enemy stronghold, taking eight prisoners. Gen. John Pershing himself honored Kelly with the medal, and he returned to Chicago as a celebrated national figure.

• Action Dates: October 3, 1918
• Conflict/Era(s): World War I
• Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
• Highest rank achieved: Corporal
• Accredited state: Arizona

John Pruitt served with the 6th Marine Regiment in WWI. He is remembered for his remarkable courage during the Battles of Belleau Wood, Chateau-Thierry, and Blanc Mont Ridge. He captured an enemy machine gun and 40 prisoners single-handedly before dying from enemy shell fire, earning him three Silver Stars and posthumous Medals of Honor from both the Army and Navy.