There are currently 65 living recipients of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is bestowed upon a member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes themselves "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 65 living recipients, one earned his medal in the Korean War, 46 in the Vietnam War, 15 in the War in Afghanistan, two in the War in Iraq, and one in Operation Absolute Resolve. One earned his medal while serving in the U.S. Air Force, 46 in the U.S. Army, nine in the U.S. Marine Corps, and nine in the U.S. Navy. The oldest recipient is Royce Williams, aged , whereas the youngest is Kyle Carpenter, aged . Army aviator Eric Slover is the only recipient still in active duty, as well as the most recent recipient. Among the living 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. __TOC__
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 these requirements, it has frequently been presented posthumously.
Korean War
Image Name Branch Birth date Reference Royce WilliamsNavy
Vietnam War
During the Vietnam War and in the following twelve months, 235 Medals of Honor were awarded. Since 1978, a further 37 awards have been presented.The Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States at http://www.mohhsus.com/medal-of-honor shows 270 awards for Vietnam excluding the Vietnam Unknown listed with the group of nine Unknowns. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society at http://www.cmohs.org/medal-statistics.php lists 270 awards for Vietnam excluding the Vietnam Unknown. Both societies include US Navy recipient William McGonagle, in the Eastern Mediterranean on June 8, 1967, in their Vietnam totals.
Image Name Branch Birth date and age Reference Army Navy Marine Corps ArmyArmy Marine CorpsArmyArmy Army Army ArmyArmy Army Air Force ArmyArmy ArmyNavy Army Army Navy Marine Corps Navy Army Army Marine Corps Army Army Army Marine Corps Army Navy Marine Corps Army Army Army Army'My life's going to change': 3 soldiers from different eras receive Medal of HonorArmy Army ArmyArmy 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, 21 U.S. servicemen have received the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan, six of them posthumously.
Image Name Branch Birth date and age Reference Edward Byers Navy Marine CorpsArmy Army Army Army Marine Corps Army Army ArmyBiden awards Medal of Honor to 3 soldiers, including the first African American since the Vietnam WarArmy Navy Army Kyle WhiteArmy Army
Iraq War
Seven Iraq War veterans have received the Medal of Honor, five of them posthumously. Image Name Branch Birth date and age Reference ArmyMedal Of Honor Awarded To Iraq War Veteran Staff Sergeant David G. BellaviaThomas PayneArmySgt. Maj. Thomas Payne Will Be 1st Living Delta Force Member to Receive Medal of Honor
Operation Absolute Resolve
Image Name Branch Birth date and age Reference Eric SloverArmy
Recently deceased Recipients who died within the last twelve months are listed below.
Image Name Branch Conflict Birth date Death date Place of death ReferenceArmyVietnam WarTempe, Arizona
References
External links Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation: List of Recipients Congressional Medal of Honor Society: Living Recipients