America’s military history is filled with extraordinary acts of courage, sacrifice, and leadership. Among the millions who served, a few stand out for their unmatched bravery in the face of overwhelming odds.
Here are 25 remarkable individuals who earned the nation’s highest military honors, leaving a legacy of valor that continues to inspire.
1. Alvin York
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
Served in: World War I
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross
Alvin York is best known for his incredible bravery during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, where he led an attack on a German machine gun nest, killing 20 enemy soldiers and capturing 132 others. His actions earned him the Medal of Honor and international recognition as one of the most effective American soldiers in WWI.
2. Audie L. Murphy
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army
Served in: World War II
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star (2), Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (2), Purple Heart (3)
Audie Murphy became the most decorated American combat soldier of World War II. His heroic actions, including single-handedly holding off an entire company of German soldiers and then leading a successful counterattack, made him a legendary figure.
He was awarded nearly every possible U.S. medal for valor, as well as multiple foreign decorations.
3. Daniel J. Daly
Rank: Gunnery Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Served in: Boxer Rebellion, Banana Wars, World War I
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor (2), Navy Cross
Daniel Daly is one of the few men in American history to receive the Medal of Honor twice. Known for his bravery in the Boxer Rebellion and during World War I, he reportedly shouted to his men during the Battle of Belleau Wood, “Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?”
His fearlessness made him a Marine Corps legend.
4. David McCampbell
Rank: Captain
Branch: U.S. Navy
Served in: World War II
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star
David McCampbell was the Navy’s top fighter ace during World War II, credited with 34 aerial victories. He is especially noted for shooting down nine Japanese planes in a single mission during the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
His Medal of Honor citation describes his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity” in combat.
5. Desmond Doss
Rank: Corporal
Branch: U.S. Army (Medical Corps)
Served in: World War II
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Bronze Star, Purple Heart (2)
Desmond Doss was the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor. As a medic, he refused to carry a weapon but still managed to save 75 men during the Battle of Okinawa.
His courage and dedication to his fellow soldiers, despite his religious pacifism, made him a remarkable and unique hero.
6. Douglas MacArthur
Rank: General of the Army
Branch: U.S. Army
Served in: World War I, World War II, Korean War
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross (2), Silver Star (7), Distinguished Service Medal (5), Purple Heart
General Douglas MacArthur was one of the most prominent military figures in American history. His leadership in the Pacific during World War II, especially his command of Allied forces during the liberation of the Philippines, earned him the Medal of Honor.
He also played a major role in the Korean War and was known for his strategic brilliance and strong personality.
7. Edward V. Rickenbacker
Rank: Captain
Branch: U.S. Army Air Service
Served in: World War I
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross (8), Legion of Honor (France)
Edward Rickenbacker was America’s top fighter ace during World War I, with 26 aerial victories. Originally a race car driver, he became a fighter pilot and showed extraordinary skill and courage in the air.
Rickenbacker earned the Medal of Honor for his actions during a series of engagements in October 1918, where he downed multiple enemy planes.
8. Eugene B. Fluckey
Rank: Rear Admiral
Branch: U.S. Navy (Submarine Force)
Served in: World War II
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross (4), Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit
Eugene Fluckey was one of the most successful submarine commanders during World War II. As the captain of the USS Barb, Fluckey’s innovative tactics led to the destruction of numerous enemy ships, including a daring raid that resulted in the only American ground attack on the Japanese mainland.
9. Frank Luke, Jr.
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army Air Service
Served in: World War I
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross (2), Croix de Guerre (France)
Frank Luke, Jr., known as the “Arizona Balloon Buster,” was the second-highest-scoring U.S. ace in World War I, with 18 victories. He became famous for his daring attacks on German observation balloons, often flying solo into heavily defended areas.
Luke was killed in action at the age of 21 and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
10. George A. Davis, Jr.
Rank: Major
Branch: U.S. Air Force
Served in: World War II, Korean War
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross (3), Air Medal (9)
George A. Davis, Jr. was one of the most accomplished fighter pilots of both World War II and the Korean War, becoming a double ace with victories in both conflicts. He engaged and shot down enemy MiG fighters while protecting his squadron, during the Korean War despite overwhelming odds.
He was killed in combat during this mission, cementing his legacy as a hero of the air.
11. George E. Day
Rank: Colonel
Branch: U.S. Air Force
Served in: World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Air Force Cross, Silver Star (3), Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart (3), Air Medal (10)
George E. “Bud” Day is widely regarded as one of the most highly decorated U.S. military officers in history. His most famous act of heroism came during the Vietnam War, when he was shot down and captured as a prisoner of war.
Despite severe injuries, Day escaped captivity and survived in the jungle for days before being recaptured. Day’s service across three wars and his exceptional bravery have made him an iconic figure in U.S. military history.
12. George L. Mabry, Jr.
Rank: Major General
Branch: U.S. Army
Served in: World War II
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
George L. Mabry, Jr. was awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary actions during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest in World War II. While serving as a battalion commander, Mabry led his men through intense enemy fire, personally clearing landmines and neutralizing German positions.
He continued to serve with distinction throughout the war and later rose to the rank of Major General.
13. Gordon Johnston
Rank: Brigadier General
Branch: U.S. Army
Served in: Spanish-American War, Philippine-American War, World War I
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Silver Star
Gordon Johnston received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Philippine-American War. As a lieutenant, he showed remarkable courage by swimming across a river under heavy fire to establish a cable line, allowing his unit to communicate and continue the fight.
Johnston later served in World War I and earned a Silver Star for his actions in combat.
14. Henry L. Hulbert
Rank: Major
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Served in: Boxer Rebellion, Philippine-American War, World War I
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross
Henry L. Hulbert was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Boxer Rebellion in China, where he played a key role in defending the American Legation. Hulbert also distinguished himself during World War I, where he received the Navy Cross for his leadership and bravery during combat in France.
He was killed in action in 1918 during an advance on German positions.
15. Herman H. Hanneken
Rank: Brigadier General
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Served in: Haitian Campaign, World War I, World War II
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star
Herman Hanneken received the Medal of Honor for his daring actions during the Haitian Campaign, where he led a small force that ambushed and killed a notorious rebel leader. He continued to serve with distinction in World War I and World War II, earning the Navy Cross and Silver Star for his bravery and leadership in combat.
16. Howard W. Gilmore
Rank: Commander
Branch: U.S. Navy (Submarine Force)
Served in: World War II
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Purple Heart
Howard W. Gilmore, commander of the USS Growler, is remembered for his extraordinary sacrifice during World War II. When his submarine came under attack by a Japanese vessel, Gilmore ordered the ship to submerge, knowing he would be left behind on the bridge.
His final command, “Take her down,” saved the submarine and its crew but cost him his life.
17. Jack L. Treadwell
Rank: Colonel
Branch: U.S. Army
Served in: World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Silver Star (6), Bronze Star, Purple Heart (3)
Jack L. Treadwell received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II, where he single-handedly captured six enemy pillboxes while under intense fire during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest.
Treadwell continued to serve in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, earning numerous additional decorations, including six Silver Stars for bravery.
18. James B. Stockdale
Rank: Vice Admiral
Branch: U.S. Navy
Served in: Vietnam War
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2), Silver Star (4), Legion of Merit (4), Distinguished Flying Cross
James Stockdale was one of the most prominent prisoners of war (POWs) during the Vietnam War, known for his leadership and resistance under captivity. Shot down over North Vietnam, he spent over seven years as a POW, enduring torture but refusing to cooperate with the enemy.
19. James E. Williams
Rank: Chief Boatswain’s Mate
Branch: U.S. Navy (Riverine Forces)
Served in: Vietnam War
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star (2), Purple Heart
James E. Williams is the most decorated enlisted man in U.S. Navy history. Serving in Vietnam with the Riverine Forces, he earned the Medal of Honor for an extraordinary battle where he and his crew, aboard two patrol boats, engaged and destroyed a large enemy force.
Over the course of several hours, Williams personally directed fire that led to the destruction of more than 65 enemy boats.
20. James H. Doolittle
Rank: General
Branch: U.S. Army Air Forces
Served in: World War II
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross (3), Air Medal
James “Jimmy” Doolittle is best known for leading the daring Doolittle Raid, the first U.S. airstrike on Japan during World War II. The raid, though limited in its physical damage, had a massive psychological impact, boosting American morale and shaking Japanese confidence.
He was also a pioneering aviator before the war, known for his contributions to aviation technology and aerial tactics, making him one of the most celebrated military aviators in history.
21. James L. Day
Rank: Major General
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Served in: World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart (3)
James L. Day was awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary actions during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. As a Marine captain, he commanded a defensive position for three days against repeated enemy attacks.
Day also served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, continuing his career of distinguished service in the U.S. Marine Corps.
22. Joe R. Hooper
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
Served in: Vietnam War
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Silver Star (2), Bronze Star (6), Purple Heart (8), Army Commendation Medal (5)
Joe R. Hooper received the Medal of Honor for his actions during a battle near Hue, where he single-handedly destroyed enemy bunkers, killed multiple enemy soldiers, and despite being wounded, continued to lead and fight.
With over 100 confirmed enemy kills, Hooper’s bravery and combat prowess were unparalleled.
23. Joel T. Boone
Rank: Vice Admiral
Branch: U.S. Navy (Medical Corps)
Served in: World War I, World War II
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star (3), Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Joel T. Boone served as a physician during World War I and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his exceptional bravery under fire. Boone risked his life to provide medical care to wounded soldiers while under enemy bombardment. Boone also served in World War II, continuing his medical service and leadership.
His career, spanning multiple wars, made him one of the most honored physicians in U.S. military history.
24. John C. McCloy
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Branch: U.S. Navy
Served in: Boxer Rebellion, Philippine-American War, World War I
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor (2), Navy Cross, Silver Star
John C. McCloy is one of the few individuals to receive the Medal of Honor twice. His first Medal of Honor was awarded for his actions during the Boxer Rebellion, where he played a key role in protecting American interests.
His second Medal of Honor was for his bravery during the U.S. intervention in Veracruz, Mexico, in 1914. McCloy later served in World War I, where he earned further distinction for his leadership and valor.
25. John D. Bulkeley
Rank: Vice Admiral
Branch: U.S. Navy
Served in: World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War
Notable Medals: Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Bronze Star
John D. Bulkeley became famous for his daring and bold actions as a PT boat commander in World War II. He earned the Medal of Honor for his role in the evacuation of General Douglas MacArthur from the Philippines under enemy fire.
Bulkeley led numerous successful attacks on Japanese ships, contributing to the success of PT boat operations during the war.
Each of these men represents the highest ideals of service, bravery, and dedication to their country, and their decorations reflect extraordinary acts of heroism in some of the most pivotal conflicts of the 20th century.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
