There are currently 69 living recipients of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is bestowed upon 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 69 living recipients, two earned their Medals of Honor in World War II, five in the Korean War, 48 in the Vietnam War, 13 in the War in Afghanistan and one in the War in Iraq. One earned his medal while serving in the U.S. Air Force, 48 in the U.S. Army, 12 in the U.S. Marine Corps, and eight in the U.S. Navy. The oldest recipient is Charles H. Coolidge, aged, whereas the youngest is Kyle Carpenter, aged. Two medal holders are still on active duty in the U.S. military, War in Afghanistan soldiers William D. Swenson and Matthew O. Williams of the U.S. Army. Among the recipients are former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey and three retired generals: Patrick Henry Brady and Robert F. Foley of the Army and James E. Livingston of the Marine Corps.
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously.
World War II
During World War II, 464 United States military personnel received the Medal of Honor, 266 of them posthumously. A total of 42 were presented for action in just two battles – 15 for actions during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and 27 for actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima. A total of 21 were received by members of the all-Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions in numerous battles across six different campaigns. Additionally, the only Medal of Honor ever presented to a member of the United States Coast Guard was received for actions during this war.
Image
Name
Branch
Birth date and age
Reference
Army
Marine Corps
Korean War
During the Korean War, 136 Medals of Honor were presented for bravery in action, 98 of them posthumously. As of 2019, five recipients were still living.
Image
Name
Branch
Birth date and age
Reference
Marine Corps
Army
Army
Marine Corps
Army
Vietnam War
During the Vietnam War and in the following twelve months, 235 Medals of Honor were awarded and since 1978 a further 26 awards have been presented. Of the total of 261 awards, 174 were to the US Army, 15 to the US Navy, 58 to the USMC and 14 to the USAF.
Image
Name
Branch
Birth date and age
Reference
Army
Navy
Marine Corps
Army
Army
Army
Marine Corps
Army
Army
Army
Army
Army
Army
Air Force
Army
Army
Army
Army
Navy
Army
Army
Navy
Marine Corps
Navy
Army
Army
Marine Corps
Army
Army
Army
Marine Corps
Army
Navy
Marine Corps
Army
Army
Army
Army
Army
Army
Army
Army
Army
Army
Army
Navy
Marine Corps
Army
War in Afghanistan
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001 and was the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism. The war was launched by the United States, the United Kingdom, and NATO allies in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. The stated purpose of the invasion was to capture Osama bin Laden, destroy al-Qaeda, and remove the Taliban regime which had provided support and safe harbor to al-Qaeda. Since 2001, 18 U.S. servicemen have received the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan, four of them posthumously.
Image
Name
Branch
Birth date and age
Reference
Edward Byers
Navy
Marine Corps
Army
Army
Army
Marine Corps
Army
Army
Army
Navy
Army
Army
Army
Iraq War
Six Iraq War veterans have received the Medal of Honor, five of them posthumously.
