List of living Medal of Honor recipients
Encyclopedia
There are currently 85 living recipients of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
. The Medal of Honor is bestowed to any member of the United States armed forces
who distinguishes himself "conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States."
Of the 85 living recipients, 14 earned their Medals of Honor in World War II
, 13 in the Korean War
, 55 in the Vietnam War
, and three in the War in Afghanistan
. Five earned their medal while serving in the U.S. Air Force, 56 in the U.S. Army, 16 in the U.S. Marine Corps, and 8 in the U.S. Navy. The oldest recipient is Nicholas Oresko, aged , whereas the youngest is Dakota Meyer
, aged . Only two of the medal holders are still on active duty in the U.S. military, both in the Army: War in Afghanistan soldier Leroy Petry
and Vietnam veteran Gordon Ray Roberts. Among the recipients are former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey
and current Senator Daniel Inouye
. Three retired as generals: Patrick Henry Brady
and Robert F. Foley
in the Army and James E. Livingston
in the Marine Corps.
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
. The Medal of Honor is bestowed to any member of the United States armed forces
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
who distinguishes himself "conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States."
Of the 85 living recipients, 14 earned their Medals of Honor in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, 13 in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, 55 in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, and three in the War in Afghanistan
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
. Five earned their medal while serving in the U.S. Air Force, 56 in the U.S. Army, 16 in the U.S. Marine Corps, and 8 in the U.S. Navy. The oldest recipient is Nicholas Oresko, aged , whereas the youngest is Dakota Meyer
Dakota Meyer
Dakota L. Meyer is a United States Marine Corps veteran and recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Ganjgal on September 8, 2009, part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Kunar province, Afghanistan...
, aged . Only two of the medal holders are still on active duty in the U.S. military, both in the Army: War in Afghanistan soldier Leroy Petry
Leroy Petry
Leroy Arthur Petry is a Sergeant First Class in the United States Army and recipient of the Medal of Honor. Petry was nominated for The Medal for his actions during a firefight in Afghanistan as a Staff Sergeant in the 2nd Ranger Battalion...
and Vietnam veteran Gordon Ray Roberts. Among the recipients are former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey
Bob Kerrey
Joseph Robert "Bob" Kerrey was the 35th Governor of Nebraska from 1983 to 1987 and a U.S. Senator from Nebraska . Having served in the Vietnam War, earning the Medal of Honor for his actions, he moved into politics. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1992...
and current Senator Daniel Inouye
Daniel Inouye
Daniel Ken "Dan" Inouye is the senior United States Senator from Hawaii, a member of the Democratic Party, and the President pro tempore of the United States Senate making him the highest-ranking Asian American politician in American history. Inouye is the chairman of the United States Senate...
. Three retired as generals: Patrick Henry Brady
Patrick Henry Brady
Major General Patrick Henry Brady, USA is a retired American Army officer. While serving as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, he received the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.-Biography:...
and Robert F. Foley
Robert F. Foley
Robert Franklin Foley is a retired United States Army Lieutenant General who served in the Vietnam War. Born in Newton, Massachusetts, he received the Medal of Honor for leading his unit, Company A, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, in an assault on a strong enemy position on...
in the Army and James E. Livingston
James E. Livingston
Major General James Everett Livingston is a retired United States Marine Corps general. He was awarded the United States' highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for heroic actions in 1968 during the Vietnam War. Maj Gen Livingston served on active duty in the Marine Corps over...
in the Marine Corps.
Living recipients
| Image | Name | Branch | Conflict | Birth date and age | Current residence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Army | Vietnam War | |||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
 |
Navy | Vietnam War | |||
| Army | World War II | ||||
| Marine Corps | Vietnam War | ||||
 |
Army | Vietnam War | |||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
| Marine Corps | Korean War | ||||
 |
Army | Vietnam War | |||
 |
Navy | Korean War | |||
 |
Army | World War II | |||
| Army | World War II | ||||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
| Army | World War II | ||||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
 |
Air Force | Vietnam War | |||
| Marine Corps | Korean War | ||||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
| Army | World War II | ||||
 |
Army | Vietnam War | |||
| Air Force | Vietnam War | ||||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
 |
Air Force | Vietnam War | |||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
 |
Marine Corps | Vietnam War | |||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
| Army | War in Afghanistan | Colorado | |||
 |
Army | Vietnam War | |||
| Army | World War II | ||||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
| Army | Korean War | ||||
| Navy | Korean War | ||||
 |
Army | Korean War | |||
 |
Navy | Vietnam War | |||
| Army | World War II | Hawaii | |||
 |
Marine Corps | World War II | |||
| Air Force | Vietnam War | ||||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
| Navy | Vietnam War | ||||
 |
Marine Corps | Vietnam War | Hawaii | ||
| |
Navy | Vietnam War | |||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
 |
Marine Corps | Vietnam War | |||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
 |
Army | Vietnam War | Florida | ||
 |
Marine Corps | Vietnam War | |||
 |
Army | Vietnam War | |||
 |
Army | Vietnam War | |||
 |
Army | World War II | |||
| Army | World War II | ||||
| |
Marine Corps | Vietnam War | |||
| Marine Corps | War in Afghanistan | ||||
| Army | Korean War | ||||
| Army | Korean War | ||||
| Marine Corps | Vietnam War | ||||
 |
Navy | Vietnam War | |||
| Marine Corps | Vietnam War | ||||
 |
Army | World War II | |||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
| Army | War in Afghanistan | ||||
 |
Marine Corps | Vietnam War | |||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
 |
Army | World War II | |||
 |
Army | Korean War | |||
| Army | Korean War | ||||
| Army | World War II | ||||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
| Marine Corps | Korean War | ||||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
| Army | Korean War | ||||
| Army | Vietnam War | ||||
 |
Army | Vietnam War | |||
 |
Army | Vietnam War | |||
 |
Navy | Vietnam War | |||
| Air Force | Vietnam War | ||||
 |
Marine Corps | Vietnam War | |||
| Army | Korean War | ||||
 |
Army | Vietnam War | |||
| Marine Corps | World War II |
Recently deceased
Recipients who died within the last twelve months are listed below.| Image | Name | Branch | Conflict | Birth date | Death date | Place of death | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Army | World War II | ||||||
| Army | World War II | ||||||
| Army | World War II | ||||||
| Army | World War II |