The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces’ highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians, and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. The medal is normally awarded by the President of the United States (the commander in chief of the armed forces) and is presented “in the name of the United States Congress.” While not strictly correct, it is often referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor.
There are three distinct variants of the medal: one for the Department of the Army, awarded to soldiers; one for branches of the Department of the Navy, awarded to sailors, marines, and coast guardsmen; and one for military branches of the Department of the Air Force, awarded to airmen and guardians. The Medal of Honor is the oldest continuously issued combat decoration of the United States Armed Forces. The President typically presents the Medal of Honor at a formal ceremony intended to represent the gratitude of the American people, with posthumous presentations made to the primary next of kin.
As of September 2023, there have been 3,536 Medals of Honor awarded, with over 40% awarded for actions during the American Civil War. A total of 911 Army Medals of Honor were revoked after Congress authorized a review in 1917, and several Navy medals were also revoked before the turn of the century. None of these revoked medals are included in this total, except for those that were subsequently restored. In 1990, Congress designated March 25 annually as Medal of Honor Day.
There are three versions of the Medal of Honor, one for each of the military departments of the Department of Defense (DoD): the Department of the Army, Department of the Navy (including the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard), and Department of the Air Force (Air and Space Forces). Members of the Coast Guard, part of the Department of Homeland Security, are eligible to receive the Naval version. Each medal is constructed differently, and the components are made from gilding metals and red brass alloys with some gold plating, enamel, and bronze pieces. The United States Congress considered a bill in 2004 which would require the Medal of Honor to be made with 90% gold, the same composition as the lesser-known Congressional Gold Medal, but the measure was dropped.
For more specific information on the Medal of Honor, see the Wikipedia page on the Medal of Honor
PFC Walter C. Monegan Jr. (USMC)
Several Medal of Honor recipients also received the Korean Order of Military Merit. However, most of the Korean Orders of Merit were issued according to the recipient’s rank. PFC Walter Carleton Monegan Jr. (USMC) is a good example of Korea giving an award based on rank. He was serving as a rocket gunner attached to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. During the early morning of Sept. 20, 1950, he was Killed in Action when he successfully repulsed a tank attack that threatened his own and an adjacent company’s positions. The U.S. government posthumously awarded him, the Medal of Honor. Three years later, on April 12, 1954, the Korean government awarded him the Order of Military Merit, Hwarang with Gold Star. (Because of the Gold, Silver and No Star system, this award is basically a 10th grade Order of Military Merit.) In 1965, the Korean government was planning to erect a monument to PFC Monegan and to the thousands of other UN forces who died during the war.1 In 1965, Mayor Yun Chi-yeong 윤치영 (尹致暎 1898–1996) presented Seoul Honorary Citizenship posthumously to Pfc Walter Monegan Jr.2
Private First-Class Walter C. Monegan Jr. is mentioned in the North Korean Propaganda Leaflet, to the right. The crude leaflet is printed in blue ink and depicts a grieving wife and child below burial crosses. The text is: “Somewhere in Korea – far away from home. For what and for whom are you going to shed your blood in Korea? U.S. delegation is stalling the armistice talks and forcing you to shed more blood!!” It is purportedly signed: Walter C. Monegan Jr. Marine PFC. The back of the leaflet depicts men and women partying while a wife and child wonder about the fate of their Marine. The text is: “In the USA the ruling circles, drinking toasts and dancing are making a night of it while you are shedding your blood and falling on the Korean front. Who, then, will mourn your death. No one but your dear wives, children, parents and sweethearts.”
On February 8, 1952, PFC Monegan’s widow was presented with his Medal of Honor. She brought their infant son to the presentation. This is very likely where the North Koreans found his name and where they got the idea of portraying a grieving woman and child.
The poor quality, improper or inarticulate language, and the political rhetoric made most of these pamphlets laughable at best, which resulted in them being thrown away or used for utility purposes such as toilet paper.
The Stolen Valor Act
The Stolen Valor Act makes it illegal for unauthorized persons to wear, buy, sell, barter, trade, or manufacture “any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces.” The Orders and Medals Society of America (OMSA), an organization of collectors, opposed the version of the bill that passed. OMSA was concerned about the changes to 18 USC that in its judgment implied that any movement or exchange of medals was illegal. Unfortunately, OMSA did not have the cojones to legally pursue their objection to the act. It is unfortunate that due to the Stolen Valor Act, the Medal of Honor cannot be bought or sold in the United States. These medals are being sold out of the country and are not getting the proper respect that they are due. Medal collectors in the United States, who are willing and able to do the necessary research to bring the full story of the recipient to life, are not willing to buy a Medal of Honor only to have it confiscated by the U.S. government. The work that collectors are willing to do, is why a great many things still exist today, that would not exist otherwise. Museums are great repositories, but how much stuff goes into a museum, never to be seen again. In England, when a Victoria Cross comes up for sale, articles appear in British newspapers which detail the medal recipient. British auction results are also published.
However, it is not illegal an American to claim that they are a Medal of Honor recipient.
List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients
Army veteran, Ralph Puckett Jr. (1926-2024) was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War. He was initially awarded a Distinguished Service Cross before it was upgraded to a Medal of Honor in 2021. He died on Monday, April 8, 2024, at the age of 97.
By branch of service, the Korean War Medal of Honor recipients are: U.S. Air Force – 4, U.S. Army – 94, U.S. Marine Corps – 42, and U.S. Navy – 7.
This list presents the 147 United States military personnel who received the Medal of Honor for valor in combat during the Korean War. A ★ next to the name indicates that the recipient was killed in action.
| Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles G. Abrell★ | Marine Corps | Corporal | Hangnyong, Korea | June 10, 1951 | 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division | Sacrificed his life to defeat an enemy bunker |
| Stanley T. Adams | Army | Sergeant First Class | Sesim-ni, Korea | February 4, 1951 | 19th Infantry Regiment | For leading the repelling of an enemy attack |
| William E. Barber | Marine Corps | Captain | Battle of Chosin Reservoir, Korea | November 28, 1950 to December 2, 1950 | Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division | Risked his life as a commanding officer in action against enemy aggressor forces |
| Charles H. Barker★ | Army | Private | Sokkogae, Korea | June 4, 1953 | Company K, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division | Killed while fighting the enemy in hand-to-hand combat |
| William B. Baugh★ | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Koto-ri to Hagaru-ri (along road between), Korea | November 29, 1950 | Company G, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Rein) | Risked his life to save his fellow Marines during a nighttime enemy attack against a motorized column. |
| Joe R. Baldonado★ | Army | Corporal | Kangdong, Korea | November 25, 1950 | 1st Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment | Sacrificed his life by remaining in an exposed machine gun position during an enemy attack; killed numerous enemy troops. |
| Edward C. Benfold★ | Navy | Hospital Corpsman Third Class | Korea | September 5, 1952 | 1st Marine Division | Medical corpsman; sacrificed his life treating wounds and saving the lives of wounded Marines. |
| Emory L. Bennett★ | Army | Private First Class | Sobangsan, Korea | June 24, 1951 | Company B, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. | Sacrificed his life to provide cover fire for withdrawing troops, continued to fire at the enemy until mortally wounded. |
| David B. Bleak | Army | Sergeant | Minari-gol, Korea | June 14, 1952 | Medical Company 223d Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division | Risked his life to administer first aid to several wounded soldiers and killing several of the enemy |
| Nelson V. Brittin★ | Army | Sergeant First Class | Yonggong-ni, Korea | March 7, 1951 | Company I, 19th Infantry Regiment | Sacrificed his life to kill 20 enemy soldiers and destroying four automatic weapons to help his company advance into an enemy position |
| Melvin L. Brown★ | Army | Private First Class | Kasan, Korea | September 4, 1950 | Company D, 8th Engineer Combat Battalion | Single handedly defended a section of wall until all of his grenades and ammo was expended. He was reported KIA, September 5, 1950. |
| Lloyd L. Burke | Army | First Lieutenant | Chong-dong, Korea | October 28, 1951 | Company G, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division | Risked his life to attack the enemy in order to rescue his company who had been pinned down |
| Tony K. Burris★ | Army | Sergeant First Class | Mundung-ni, Korea | October 8, 1951 to October 9, 1951 | Company L, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division | Sacrificed his life to destroy multiple enemy positions and killing several of the enemy |
| Hector A. Cafferata, Jr. | Marine Corps | Private | Battle of Chosin Reservoir, Korea | November 28, 1950 | Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Risked his life to single handedly fight off an enemy attack |
| David B. Champagne★ | Marine Corps | Corporal | Korea | May 28, 1952 | Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Sacrificed his life to save the other members of his fireteam by throwing an enemy grenade out of the trench |
| William R. Charette | Navy | Hospital Corpsman Third Class | Vegas Hill, Korea | March 27, 1953 | Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division | Medical corpsman; aided many fallen Marines under heavy fire. |
| Cornelius H. Charlton★ | Army | Sergeant | Chipo-ri, Korea | June 2, 1951 | Company C, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division | Killed due to multiple wounds sustained after several attacks against the enemy |
| Stanley R. Christianson★ | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Seoul, Korea | September 29, 1950 | Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Killed after remaining in his position to allow his fellow Marines to be notified of an enemy attack |
| Gilbert G. Collier★ | Army | Corporal | Tutayon, Korea | July 19, 1953 to July 20, 1953 | Company F, 223d Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division | Risked his life to remain with his wounded commanding officer while the remainder of the company returned to camp |
| John W. Collier★ | Army | Corporal | Chindong-ni, Korea | September 19, 1950 | Company C, 27th Infantry Regiment | Killed when he threw himself on a grenade |
| Henry A. Commiskey, Sr. | Marine Corps | Second Lieutenant | Yongdungp’o, Korea | September 20, 1950 | Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Risked his life to attack the enemy multiple times killing several and inflicting significant damage |
| Samuel Streit Coursen★ | Army | First Lieutenant | Kaesong, Korea | October 12, 1950 | Company C 5th Cavalry Regiment | Killed while attempting to protect a fallen comrade |
| Gordon M. Craig★ | Army | Corporal | Kasan, Korea | September 10, 1950 | Reconnaissance Company, 1st Cavalry Division | Killed after smothering a grenade with his body |
| Jerry K. Crump | Army | Corporal | Chorwon, Korea | September 6, 1951 to September 7, 1951 | Company L, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division | Wounded after smothering a grenade with his body |
| Jack A. Davenport★ | Marine Corps | Corporal | Songnae-Dong, Korea | September 21, 1951 | Company G, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Killed after throwing himself on a grenade |
| George A. Davis★ | Air Force | Major | Sinuiju-Yalu River area, Korea | February 10, 1952 | 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force | Killed when trying to protect a squadron of bombers from a group of 15 enemy MiG’s |
| Ray Davis | Marine Corps | Lieutenant Colonel | Hagaru-ri, Korea | December 1, 1950 to December 4, 1950 | 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | For leading the rescue of a trapped rifle company |
| Richard De Wert★ | Navy | Hospitalman | Korea | April 5, 1951 | 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Medical corpsman; although wounded twice, continued to aid fallen Marines until killed while giving first aid to a fallen comrade. |
| William F. Dean | Army | Major General | Taejon, Korea | July 20, 1950 to July 21, 1950 | 24th Infantry Division | Risked his life to lead the evacuation of Taejon after it had been overrun by the enemy |
| Reginald B. Desiderio★ | Army | Captain | Ipsok, Korea | November 27, 1950 | Company E, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division | Although wounded, repeatedly attacked the enemy which motivated his men to defeat the opposing enemy force |
| Duane E. Dewey | Marine Corps | Corporal | Panmunjon, Korea | April 16, 1952 | Company E, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Risked his life to save a corpsman and several fellow Marines by smothering a grenade with his body |
| Carl H. Dodd | Army | Second Lieutenant | Subuk, Korea | January 30, 1951 to January 31, 1951 | Company E, 5th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division | Repeatedly attacked the enemy until he and his men successfully captured Hill 256 |
| Ray E. Duke★ | Army | Sergeant First Class | Mugok, Korea | April 26, 1951 | Company C, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division | Convinced others to leave him and seek safety as he continued to fire at the enemy force until he was killed |
| Junior D. Edwards★ | Army | Sergeant First Class | Changbong-ni, Korea | January 2, 1951 | Company E, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division | Killed after attacking the enemy multiple times killing several of them |
| Victor H. Espinoza | Army | Corporal | Chorwon, Korea | August 1, 1952 | 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division | Single-handedly silenced a machine gun crew, discovered and destroyed covert enemy tunnel, wiped out two bunkers |
| John Essebagger, Jr.★ | Army | Corporal | Popsudong, Korea | April 25, 1951 | Company A, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division | Repeatedly attacked the enemy with machine gun fire until killed |
| Don C. Faith, Jr.★ | Army | Lieutenant Colonel | Battle of Chosin Reservoir, Korea | November 27, 1950 to December 1, 1950 | 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division | Risked his life repeatedly leading his men in combat for five days until he was killed |
| Fernando Luis García★ | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Korea | September 5, 1952 | Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | For falling on a grenade to save his squad. |
| Charles George★ | Army | Private First Class | Songnae-dong, Korea | November 30, 1952 | Company C, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division | Killed after smothering a grenade with his body |
| Charles L. Gilliland★ | Army | Private First Class | Tongmang-ni, Korea | April 25, 1951 | Company I, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division | Killed after volunteering to stay behind and keep the enemy at bay so his unit could pull out |
| Eduardo C. Gomez | Army | Sergeant | Tabu-dong, Korea | September 3, 1950 | 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division | Crawled thirty yards across an open rice field to single-handedly destroy an enemy tank |
| Edward Gomez★ | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Hill 749, Korea | September 14, 1951 | Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Sacrificed his life to save his fellow Marines by smothering a grenade with his body |
| Clair Goodblood★ | Army | Corporal | Popsu-dong, Korea | April 24, 1951 to April 25, 1951 | Company D, 7th Infantry Regiment | Killed after refusing medical aid and being charged by the enemy he was found with over 100 enemy dead |
| Ambrosio Guillen★ | Marine Corps | Staff sergeant | Songuch-on, Korea | July 25, 1953 | Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Exposed himself to attacks to supervise the defense of their position and the treatment and evacuation of the wounded |
| Francis C. Hammond★ | Navy | Hospitalman | Korea | March 26, 1953 to March 27, 1953 | 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division | Medical corpsman; sacrificed his life treating and directing wounded Marines until struck by a round of enemy mortar fire. |
| Lester Hammond, Jr.★ | Army | Corporal | Kumwha, Korea | August 14, 1952 | Company A, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team | Killed while assisting the corpsmen with casualties and evacuation |
| Melvin O. Handrich★ | Army | Master Sergeant | Sobuk San Mountain, Korea | August 25, 1950 to August 26, 1950 | Company C, 5th Infantry Regiment | Killed after fighting off an enemy attack. Was found with more than 70 dead enemy around him |
| Jack G. Hanson★ | Army | Private First Class | Pachi-dong, Korea | June 7, 1951 | Company F, 31st Infantry Regiment | Was found dead with an empty pistol in his right hand, a bloody machete in his left hand and 22 dead enemy around him |
| Lee R. Hartell★ | Army | First Lieutenant | Kobangsan-ni, Korea | August 27, 1951 | Battery A, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division | Died while directing fire on an attacking enemy force |
| Raymond Harvey | Army | Captain | Taemi-Dong, Korea | March 9, 1951 | Company C, 17th Infantry Regiment | Severely wounded after attacking the enemy multiple times and inflicting multiple enemy casualties |
| Frederick F. Henry★ | Army | First Lieutenant | Am-Dong, Korea | September 1, 1950 | Company F, 38th Infantry Regiment | Killed after causing an estimated 50 enemy casualties |
| Rodolfo P. Hernandez | Army | Corporal | Wontong-ni, Korea | May 31, 1951 | Company G, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team | Although wounded, killed six of the enemy before falling unconscious from grenade, bayonet, and bullet wounds |
| Thomas J. Hudner, Jr. | Navy | Lieutenant, Junior Grade | Battle of Chosin Reservoir, Korea | December 4, 1950 | Fighter Squadron 32, attached to U.S.S. Leyte | Risked his life to rescue a downed pilot |
| Einar H. Ingman, Jr. | Army | Corporal | Maltari, Korea | February 26, 1951 | Company E, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division | Risked his life to destroy an enemy gun emplacement and allow his squad to finish their objective |
| William R. Jecelin★ | Army | Sergeant | Saga, Korea | September 19, 1950 | Company C, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body |
| James E. Johnson★ | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Yudam-ni, Korea | December 2, 1950 | Company J, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Although seriously wounded, was last seen fighting the enemy hand to hand |
| Mack A. Jordan★ | Army | Private First Class | Kumsong, Korea | November 15, 1951 | Company K, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division | Killed after volunteering to stay behind allowing his squad to escape |
| Anthony T. Kahoʻohanohano★ | Army | Private First Class | near Chup’a-ri, Korea | September 1, 1951 | Company H, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division | Although wounded, held a position alone and fought hand-to-hand until being killed |
| Billie G. Kanell★ | Army | Private | Pyonggang, Korea | September 7, 1951 | Company I, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body |
| Emil Kapaun★ | Army | Captain, US Army Chaplain Corps | Pyoktong, North Korea | May 23, 1951 | 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry | Inside dismal prison camps, Kapaun risked his life by sneaking around the camp after dark, foraging for food, caring for the sick, and encouraging his fellow Soldiers |
| Loren R. Kaufman★ | Army | Sergeant First Class | Yongsan, Korea | September 4, 1950 to September 5, 1950 | Company G, 9th Infantry Regiment | Repeatedly attacked the enemy forcing them to retreat |
| Woodrow W. Keeble★ | Army | Master Sergeant | Sangsan-ni, Korea | October 20, 1951 | Company G, 19th Infantry | Risked his life to personally destroy three enemy machine gun emplacements with hand grenades. |
| John D. Kelly★ | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Korea | May 28, 1952 | Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Killed while attacking and destroying several enemy bunkers singlehandedly |
| Jack W. Kelso★ | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Korea | October 2, 1952 | Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Killed while providing cover fire for several Marines pinned down in a bunker allowing them to escape |
| Robert S. Kennemore | Marine Corps | Staff sergeant | north of Yudam-ni, Korea | November 27, 1950 to November 28, 1950 | Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Deliberately covered an enemy grenade with his foot to keep his men from being wounded or killed |
| John E. Kilmer★ | Navy | Hospitalman | Korea | August 13, 1952 | 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division | Medical corpsman; killed while shielding a wounded Marine with his body. |
| Noah O. Knight★ | Army | Private First Class | Kowang-San, Korea | November 23, 1951 to November 24, 1951 | Company F, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division | Killed while attacking three enemy troops attempting to place demolition charges |
| John K. Koelsch★ | Navy | Lieutenant, Junior Grade | Korea | July 3, 1951 | Navy helicopter rescue unit | Died as a POW after rescuing several crewman from a downed helicopter and evading the enemy for nine days. |
| Ernest R. Kouma | Army | Sergeant First Class | Agok, Korea | August 31, 1950 to September 1, 1950 | Company A, 72d Tank Battalion | Risked his life by attacking and killing at least 250 of the enemy |
| Leonard M. Kravitz★ | Army | Private First Class | Yangpyong, Korea | March 6, 1951 to March 7, 1951 | Company M, 3rd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment | Provided suppressive fire for his retreating unit after position had been overrun by the enemy |
| Edward C. Krzyzowski★ | Army | Captain | Tondul, Korea | August 31, 1951 to September 3, 1951 | Company B, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division | For spearheading an assault against strongly defended Hill 700. Killed by an enemy sniper |
| Darwin K. Kyle★ | Army | Second Lieutenant | Kamil-ni, Korea | February 16, 1951 | Company K, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division | For repeatedly attacking and destroying the enemy. Killed by a burst from an enemy submachine gun |
| Hubert L. Lee | Army | Master Sergeant | Ip-ori, Korea | February 1, 1951 | Company I, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division | Although seriously wounded continued to lead his men and fight the enemy |
| George D. Libby★ | Army | Sergeant | Taejon, Korea | July 20, 1950 | Company C, 3d Engineer Combat Battalion, 24th Infantry Division | Sacrificed his life to shield the driver of a rescue vehicle from enemy rounds |
| Herbert A. Littleton★ | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Chungchon, Korea | April 22, 1951 | Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body |
| Charles R. Long★ | Army | Sergeant | near Hoengseong, Korea | February 12, 1951 | Company M, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division | Remained in a forward position to target the enemy with mortar fire. Killed when his position was surrounded by the enemy |
| Baldomero Lopez★ | Marine Corps | First Lieutenant | Battle of Inchon, Korea | September 15, 1950 | Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | For smothering a hand grenade with his own body. |
| Charles J. Loring, Jr.★ | Air Force | Major | Sniper Ridge, North Korea | November 22, 1952 | 80th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing | Sacrificed his life by diving his damaged airplane into enemy gun emplacements |
| William F. Lyell★ | Army | Corporal | Chup’a-ri, Korea | August 31, 1951 | Company F, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division | Repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire in order to defeat the enemy and was eventually killed by enemy mortar fire. |
| Benito Martinez★ | Army | Corporal | Satae-ri, Korea | September 6, 1952 | Company A, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division | Refused to be rescued due to enemy troop activity and continued to fight the enemy until killed. |
| Daniel P. Matthews★ | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Vegas Hill, Korea | March 28, 1953 | Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Sacrificed his life to silence an enemy gun emplacement |
| Frederick W. Mausert, III★ | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Songnap-yong, Korea | September 12, 1951 | Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Although severely wounded singlehandedly defeated an enemy gun emlacement and drew enemy fire away from his men. |
| Robert M. McGovern★ | Army | First Lieutenant | Kamyangjan-ni, Korea | January 30, 1951 | Company A, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division | Killed by a burst of machine gun fire after destroying an enemy gun emplacement |
| Alford L. McLaughlin | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Korea | September 4, 1952 to September 5, 1952 | Company L, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Although painfully wounded he continued to fight off the enemy until they were defeated |
| Leroy A. Mendonca★ | Army | Sergeant | Chich-on, Korea | July 4, 1951 | Company B, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division | Sacrificed his life by remaining in an exposed position and covering the platoon’s withdrawal |
| Lewis L. Millett | Army | Captain | Soam-Ni, Korea | February 7, 1951 | Company E, 27th Infantry Regiment | In taking an occupied hill, he led the last major American bayonet charge |
| Frank N. Mitchell★ | Marine Corps | First Lieutenant | Hansan-ni, Korea | November 26, 1950 | Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Killed by a burst of small arms fire after single handedly covering his squads escape |
| Hiroshi H. Miyamura | Army | Corporal | Taejon-ni, Korea | April 24, 1951 to April 25, 1951 | Company H, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division | The first Medal of Honor to be classified Top Secret. This was because he was being held as a Prisoner of War by the Communists at the time. |
| Ola L. Mize | Army | Sergeant | Surang-ni, Korea | June 10, 1953 to June 11, 1953 | Company K, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division | Repeatedly risked his life to fight back the enemy and protect several wounded soldiers |
| Walter C. Monegan, Jr.★ | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Sosa-ri, Korea | September 17, 1950 and September 20, 1950 | Company F, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Killed while repeatedly attacking the enemy at night |
| Whitt L. Moreland★ | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Kwagch’i-Dong, Korea | May 29, 1951 | Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body |
| Donald R. Moyer★ | Army | Sergeant First Class | Seoul, Korea | May 20, 1951 | Company E, 35th Infantry Regiment | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body |
| Raymond G. Murphy | Marine Corps | Second Lieutenant | Korea | February 3, 1953 | Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Although wounded he refused medical care to fight the enemy until all his men and casualties had been taken care of. |
| Reginald R. Myers | Marine Corps | Major | Hagaru-ri, Korea | November 29, 1950 | 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Although losing 170 of his men during 14 hours of combat in subzero temperatures, continued to reorganize his unit and spearhead the attack which resulted in 600 enemy killed and 500 wounded |
| Juan Negrón | Army | Master Sergeant | Kalma-Eri, Korea | April 28, 1951 | 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division | Held the most vulnerable position on his company’s position throughout the night, accurately hurling hand grenades at short range when hostile troops approached. |
| Eugene A. Obregon★ | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Seoul, Korea | September 26, 1950 | Company G, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Sacrificed his life by using his own body as a shield to protect another wounded Marine |
| George H. O’Brien, Jr. | Marine Corps | Second Lieutenant | Korea | October 27, 1952 | Company H, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Provided cover and care for wounded while his unit was attacking the enemy |
| Joseph R. Ouellette★ | Army | Private First Class | Yongsan, Korea | August 31, 1950 to September 3, 1950 | Company H, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division | Repeatedly risked his life to gather grenades and ammunition until killed by enemy fire |
| John U. D. Page★ | Army | Lieutenant Colonel | Battle of Chosin Reservoir, Korea | November 29, 1950 to December 10, 1950 | X Corps Artillery, while attached to the 52d Transportation Truck Battalion | Repeatedly attacked the enemy and defended his convoy until killed |
| Mike C. Pena★ | Army | Master Sergeant | Waegwan, Korea | September 4, 1950 | 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment | Covered his unit’s retreat and single-handedly held off large enemy force overnight, until being killed the following morning |
| Charles F. Pendleton★ | Army | Corporal | Choo Gung-Dong, Korea | July 16, 1953 to July 17, 1953 | Company D, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division | Although wounded he refused medical treatment and continued to fight back the enemy until killed |
| Lee H. Phillips★ | Marine Corps | Corporal | Korea | November 4, 1950 | Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Risked his life to defeat a pocket of enemy resistance |
| Herbert K. Pililaau★ | Army | Private First Class | Pia-ri, Korea | September 17, 1951 | Company C, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division | After being killed fighting the enemy it was determined that he singlehandedly defeated more than 40 of the enemy |
| John A. Pittman | Army | Sergeant | Kujangdong, Korea | November 26, 1950 | Company C, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division | Protected his squad by smothering a grenade with his body |
| Ralph E. Pomeroy★ | Army | Private First Class | Kumhwa, Korea | October 15, 1952 | Company E, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division | Sacrificed his life manning a heavy machine gun until mortally wounded |
| Donn F. Porter★ | Army | Sergeant | Mundung-ni Korea | September 7, 1952 | Company G, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division | Killed after fighting back a superior enemy force |
| James I. Poynter★ | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Sudong, Korea | November 4, 1950 | Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Sacrificed his life to kill several of the enemy with hand grenades to save a group of fellow Marines |
| Ralph Puckett Jr. | Army | First Lieutenant | Chongchon River | November 25, 1950 to November 26, 1950 | 8th U.S. Army Ranger Company | Battle of the Ch’ongch’on River, Hill 205 |
| George H. Ramer★ | Marine Corps | Second Lieutenant | Korea | September 12, 1951 | Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Led his men against a superior enemy force and although wounded refused medical aid, manning his post until the enemy overran his position |
| Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr.★ | Army | Corporal | Chonghyon, Korea | November 5, 1950 | Company E, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division | After being seriously wounded, refused medical treatment to continue to fight the enemy until he was killed |
| Robert D. Reem★ | Marine Corps | Second Lieutenant | Chinhung-ni, Korea | November 6, 1950 | Company H, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Killed after he covered a grenade with his body |
| Demensio Rivera | Army | Private First Class | Changyongni, Korea | May 22, 1951 to May 23, 1951 | Company G, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment | An automatic rifleman, Rivera tenaciously held a forward position exposed to heavy fire; when his rifle became inoperative, Rivera used his pistol and grenades, and eventually fought hand-to-hand and forced back the enemy. |
| Joseph C. Rodriguez | Army | Private First Class | Munye-ri, Korea | May 21, 1951 | Company F, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division | Singlehandedly destroyed several enemy gun emplacements and foxholes |
| Ronald E. Rosser | Army | Corporal | Ponggilli, Korea | January 12, 1952 | Heavy Mortar Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division | Repeatedly risked his life to fight the enemy and rescue several wounded soldiers |
| Tibor Rubin | Army | Corporal | Korea | July 23, 1950 to April 20, 1953 | Company I, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division | For single-handedly defending his regiment during their retreat, and saving the lives of many fellow soldiers in a Chinese POW camp. |
| Daniel D. Schoonover★ | Army | Corporal | Sokkogae, Korea | July 8, 1953 to July 10, 1953 | Company A, 13th Engineer Combat Battalion, 7th Infantry Division | Was last seen fighting the enemy with a machine gun before he was killed by artillery fire |
| Edward R. Schowalter, Jr. | Army | First Lieutenant | Kumhwa, Korea | October 14, 1952 | Company A, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division | Although wounded he continued to fight and lead his men until they defeated the enemy |
| Louis J. Sebille★ | Air Force | Major | Hanchang, Korea | August 5, 1950 | 67th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter-Bomber Group, 5th Air Force | Killed after diving his aircraft into enemy troops |
| Richard Thomas Shea★ | Army | First Lieutenant | Sokkogae, Korea | July 6, 1953 to July 8, 1953 | Company A 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division | After fighting off and killing several of the enemy he was last seen in close hand-to-hand combat with the enemy |
| William E. Shuck, Jr.★ | Marine Corps | Staff sergeant | Korea | July 3, 1952 | Company G, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Sacrificed his life to assure that all dead and wounded were evacuated |
| Robert E. Simanek | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Korea | August 17, 1952 | Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Risked his life to save his comrades by smothering a grenade with his body |
| William S. Sitman★ | Army | Sergeant First Class | Chipyong-ni, Korea | February 14, 1951 | Company M, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division | Sacrificed his life to save his comrades by smothering a grenade with his body |
| Carl L. Sitter | Marine Corps | Captain | Hagaru-ri, Korea | November 29, 1950 to November 30, 1950 | Company G, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Although painfully wounded he refused to be evacuated and continued to fight until defense of the area was assured |
| Sherrod E. Skinner, Jr.★ | Marine Corps | Second Lieutenant | Korea | October 26, 1952 | Battery F, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | In addition to fighting off an enemy force for three hours he sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body |
| David M. Smith★ | Army | Private First Class | Yongsan, Korea | September 1, 1950 | Company E, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division | Sacrificed his life to save his comrades by smothering a grenade with his body |
| Clifton T. Speicher★ | Army | Corporal | Minarigol, Korea | June 14, 1952 | Company F, 223d Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division | Died after wounds received after charging into an enemy machine gun nest |
| James L. Stone | Army | First Lieutenant | Sokkogae, Korea | November 21, 1951 to November 22, 1951 | Company E 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division | Captured while leading his men against an overwhelming enemy assault |
| Luther H. Story★ | Army | Private First Class | Agok, Korea | September 1, 1950 | Company A, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division | Sacrificed his life to save his unit by remaining behind and covering them as they withdrew |
| Jerome A. Sudut★ | Army | Second Lieutenant | Kumhwa, Korea | September 12, 1951 | Company B, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division | Although wounded he led his men against the enemy and single handedly defeated a group of them after the rifleman he was with was wounded |
| Henry Svehla★ | Army | Private First Class | Korea | June 12, 1952 | Company F, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division | Charged forward, then smothered a grenade blast with his body |
| William Thompson★ | Army | Private First Class | Haman, Korea | August 6, 1950 | 24th Company M, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division | Killed by an enemy grenade while covering his units withdrawal |
| Charles W. Turner★ | Army | Sergeant First Class | Yongsan, Korea | September 1, 1950 | 2d Reconnaissance Company, 2d Infantry Division | Directed his tank to destroy seven enemy machine gun nests and covered his units withdrawal until killed |
| Archie Van Winkle | Marine Corps | Staff sergeant | Sudong, Korea | November 2, 1950 | Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Although severely wounded he continued to fight and lead his men until he passed out from loss of blood |
| Miguel Vera★ | Army | Private | Chorwon, Korea | September 21, 1952 | Company F, 2nd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment | Selflessly chose to remain in position during an enemy attack and cover friendly troops’ withdrawal from part of “Old Baldy” hill. |
| Joseph Vittori★ | Marine Corps | Corporal | Hill 749, Korea | September 15, 1951 to September 16, 1951 | Company F, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Among numerous accomplishments he was found dead among 200 enemy soldiers that he had singlehandedly killed in fighting |
| John S. Walmsley, Jr.★ | Air Force | Captain | Yangdok, Korea | September 14, 1951 | 8th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bomb Group | Flew his plane through an intense enemy barriage to defend ground forces and maximize enemy damage |
| Lewis G. Watkins★ | Marine Corps | Staff sergeant | Korea | October 7, 1952 | Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Killed by an enemy grenade when it exploded in his hand |
| Travis E. Watkins★ | Army | Master Sergeant | Yongsan, Korea | August 31, 1950 to September 3, 1950 | Company H, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division | Volunteered to remain and defend his units withdrawal because he knew his injuries would slow them down |
| Jack Weinstein | Army | Sergeant | Kumson, Korea | October 19, 1951 | Company G, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division | Alone and unaided, held ground in the face of an enemy attack to permit his platoon to withdraw, even using enemy hand grenades to halt enemy advance. |
| Ernest E. West | Army | Private First Class | Sataeri, Korea | October 12, 1952 | Company L, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division | Although wounded he assisted in evacuating the wounded and killed several of the enemy |
| Benjamin F. Wilson | Army | Master Sergeant | Hwach’on-Myon, Korea | June 5, 1951 | Company I, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division | Repeatedly risked his life in order for his troops to reorganize and counterattack |
| Harold E. Wilson | Marine Corps | Technical Sergeant | Korea | April 23, 1951 to April 24, 1951 | Company G, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam War; In addition to the Medal of Honor he received five purple hearts. |
| Richard G. Wilson★ | Army | Private First Class | Opari, Korea | October 21, 1950 | Co. 1, Medical Company, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment | Sacrificed his life to aid a fellow soldier shielding them from enemy fire with his own body |
| William G. Windrich★ | Marine Corps | Staff sergeant | Yudam-ni, Korea | December 1, 1950 | Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) | Sacrificed his life to direct his men and rescue several wounded Marines from a hillside |
| Bryant H. Womack★ | Army | Private First Class | Sokso-ri, Korea | March 12, 1952 | Medical Company, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division | Sacrificed his life aiding other wounded soldiers |
| Robert H. Young★ | Army | Private First Class | North of Kaesong, Korea | October 9, 1950 | Company E, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division | Although wounded, repeatedly repelled the enemy and insisted other wounded be treated first |