The Latest News about Medal of Honor Monday

Nearly 600 U.S. prisoners of war returned from Vietnam during Operation Homecoming in early 1973. Many had endured the longest wartime captivity of any group of U.S. POWs in the nation’s history. One of those repatriated was Navy Vice Adm. James B. Stockdale, an iconic Naval aviator who remains the only three-star admiral to have worn both aviator wings and the ...

Anyone who knows the Civil War history of Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg likely remembers the name of the man who held the hill, Army Maj. Gen. Joshua Chamberlain. His actions July 2, 1863, were pivotal to the Union winning that crucial battle, and, years later, they earned him the Medal of Honor. Chamberlain was born on ...

Most Medal of Honor recipients earned the award during combat, but that’s not the case for everyone. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Owen Francis Patrick Hammerberg, a boatswain’s mate, is one of the few recipients who earned it for his heroic efforts outside of normal duty. Hammerberg was born May 31, 1920, and grew up on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. His ...

To be a flying “ace,” you have to be credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during combat. It didn’t happen often in the 20th century, and it rarely happens now. Air Force Maj. George A. Davis Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient, is one of only a handful of U.S. military pilots to hold the distinction of being an ...

For this week’s Medal of Honor Monday, we’re highlighting Marine Corps Capt. Raymond Murphy, a recipient who honorably served his fellow Marines during war, then spent the rest of his life serving them, as well. Murphy was born Jan. 14, 1930, in Pueblo, Colorado. He had three brothers and a sister and said he loved to play sports growing up. ...

In the past few decades, several service members from the Civil War have received posthumous Medals of Honor for their actions in keeping our nation together more than 150 years ago. One of them was Army 1st Lt. Alonzo Cushing, who helped stop Confederate soldiers from breaking through the Union line during Confederate Maj. Gen. George Pickett’s famous charge at ...

For this Medal of Honor Monday, we’re honoring a famous Custer, but not THE Custer you’re thinking of — Civil War Gen. George Custer, of “Custer’s last stand” fame. Today, we’re honoring his brother, Capt. Thomas Custer, who became the first double recipient of the Medal of Honor. Thomas Custer was born March 15, 1845, in New Rumley, Ohio. He ...

For this Medal of Honor Monday, we’re honoring a famous Custer, but not THE Custer you’re thinking of — Civil War Gen. George Custer, of “Custer’s last stand” fame. Today, we’re honoring his brother, Capt. Thomas Custer, who became the first double recipient of the Medal of Honor. Thomas Custer was born March 15, 1845, in New Rumley, Ohio. He ...

"Austin was hit with a spray of bullets and died there on the battlefield. The 21-year-old had saved his friend's life twice in exchange for his own."

In the past few decades, several service members from the Civil War have received posthumous Medals of Honor for their actions in keeping our nation together more than 150 years ago. One of them was Army 1st Lt. Alonzo Cushing, who helped stop Confederate soldiers from breaking through the Union line during Confederate Maj. Gen. George Pickett’s famous charge at ...

Army 1st Sgt. Leonard Funk served in some of the most pivotal campaigns in the European theater of World War II, making him one of the war’s most decorated paratroopers. After jumping into Normandy on D-Day with the 82nd Airborne Division, he earned the Distinguished Service Cross during Operation Market Garden. His Medal of Honor was earned toward the end ...

As we head into the new year, we would be remiss to not highlight one of the first-ever service members to earn the Medal of Honor as a noncombatant. Navy Seaman Lewis Horton served during the Civil War, and his time in the military included being a prisoner of war, a double amputee and a courageous lifesaver. Horton was born ...

Those who perform valiant actions don’t always succeed in their missions, but that doesn’t mean their efforts aren’t worthy of commendation. Navy Seaman Dennis Conlan was one of several men who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Civil War that didn’t bring success for their side —  but they were courageous nonetheless. Conlan was born in 1838 in ...

Army Tech Sgt. Vernon McGarity spent the last few months of World War II in a prisoner of war camp in Germany. The actions that got him there helped the Allies win the critical Battle of the Bulge  —  and earned him the Medal of Honor. McGarity was born Dec. 1, 1921, in rural Right, Tennessee. He worked with the Depression-era ...

The Medal of Honor is often given for one act of valor, but service members can also earn it for many acts over time. One of the more prominent names to have done that was World War II Marine Corps Gen. Alexander Vandegrift, whose command during the Guadalcanal campaign in the South Pacific led to a critical U.S. victory. Vandegrift ...