How many Vietnam veterans received the Medal of Honor?

How many Vietnam veterans received the Medal of Honor?

During the Vietnam War 248 Medals of Honor were received of which 156 of them were presented posthumously. Soldiers of the Army received the most with 161. Fifty seven went to the Marines and 16 to the Navy. The remaining 14 went to the Air Force.

Who was given the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic deeds during Vietnam?

Commander William McGonagle
During the Vietnam War period, there was one exception to the enemy action rule. Commander William McGonagle received the Medal of Honor for his actions while in command of USS Liberty when it was mistakenly attacked by the Israel Defense Forces in the Eastern Mediterranean on June 8, 1967, during the Six Day War.

Who was the notable Congressional Medal of Honor recipient during the Vietnam War who was credited with saving the lives of eight of his fellow soldiers?

Pitsenbarger was credited with saving nine lives, after several times refusing to be evacuated himself, during a fight in which 106 of the 134 troopers were killed or badly wounded. Soon after the battle, his Air Force commanders nominated him for the Medal of Honor, but he did not receive it.

Is there a Vietnam era medal?

The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces established on 8 July 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The medal is awarded to recognize service during the Vietnam War by all members of the U.S. Armed Forces provided they meet the award requirements.

Why do they award the Bronze Star?

The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone.

Has anyone been awarded 2 Medals of Honor?

To date, the maximum number of Medals of Honor earned by any service member has been two. The last living individual to be awarded two Medals of Honor was John J. Kelly 3 Oct 1918; the last individual to receive two Medals of Honor for two different actions was Smedley Butler, in 1914 and 1915.

Who got the Medal of Honor in Vietnam?

Recipients

Name Service Place of action
Bennie Adkins Army A Shau Valley, South Vietnam
Lewis Albanese † Army South Vietnam
Leonard L. Alvarado † Army Phước Long Province
James Anderson, Jr. † Marine Corps Near Cam Lộ

Is the Medal of Honor the same as the Congressional Medal of Honor?

Is the “Medal of Honor” or the “Congressional Medal of Honor”? The name of the Medal is simply “Medal of Honor” — the word “Congressional” is sometimes mistakenly used because the Medal was created by Congress; however, the Medal is purely a military award.

What medals are Vietnam veterans entitled to?

United States. Several decorations (Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Commendation Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal) may be awarded for valor, or for merit.

Who won the Medal of Honor in Vietnam?

Michael Edwin Thornton (born March 23, 1949) is a retired United States Navy SEAL and recipient of the U.S. military’s highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the medal for saving the life of his senior officer, Lieutenant Thomas R.

Who is Vietnam Bronze Star recipients?

Bronze Star awarded to Vietnam veteran. More than 38 years after his actions during the Vietnam War, retired Master Sgt. Marvin L. Caldwell received the Army’s fourth highest honor, the Bronze Star medal, during a ceremony at Virginia Tech on April 4.

Who has the most medals of Honor?

Native born Irish have won 257 Medals of Honor, while Irish Americans have won an astounding 2,018 (more than twice the number awarded any other ethnic group). And this is out of 3,464 Medals of Honor total being awarded.

Who was the last Medal of Honor winner?

Staff Sgt. Walter Ehlers, a Medal of Honor recipient for his heroic actions during World War II, died Thursday at the age of 92. Ehlers, who joined the armed forces in 1940, was the last living Medal of Honor recipient who stormed Omaha Beach on D-Day.