List of living Medal of Honor recipients facts for kids

President Barack Obama meets with recipients at the National Medal of Honor Day ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns on March 25, 2009

There are currently 79 living recipients of the Medal of Honor. It is the United States military's highest decoration. The Medal of Honor is given to any member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself "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 79 living recipients 11 earned their Medals of Honor in World War II. 11 received them for actions in the Korean War. 54 were earned in the Vietnam War. Three were in the War in Afghanistan. Five earned their medal while serving in the U.S. Air Force. 51 were in the U.S. Army. 16 were in the U.S. Marine Corps. 7 were in the U.S. Navy. The oldest recipient is Robert D. Maxwell. He is 103. The youngest is Dakota Meyer. He is 35. Only one medal holder is still on active duty in the U.S. military. He is War in Afghanistan soldier Leroy Petry. Among the recipients is former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey. Three are retired generals: Patrick Henry Brady and Robert F. Foley of the Army and James E. Livingston of the Marine Corps.

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 the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously.

World War II

During World War II, 464 United States military personnel received the Medal of Honor, 266 (57.3%) of them posthumously. A total of 42 Medals of Honor were presented for action in just two battles – Fifteen for actions during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and 27 for actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima. A total of 21 (4.5% of all World War II Medals of Honor) were received by members of the all-Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions in numerous battles across six different campaigns. Additionally, the only Medal of Honor ever presented to a member of the United States Coast Guard was received for actions during this war.

Image	Name	Branch	Birth date and age	Reference
	Coolidge, Charles H.Charles H. Coolidge	Army	19210804 (1921-08-04) August 4, 1921 (age 102)
	Currey, Francis S.Francis S. Currey	Army	19250629 (1925-06-29) June 29, 1925 (age 98)
	Maxwell, Robert D.Robert D. Maxwell	Army	19201026 (1920-10-26) October 26, 1920 (age 103)
	Williams, Hershel W.Hershel W. Williams	Marine Corps	19231002 (1923-10-02) October 2, 1923 (age 100)

Korea

During the Korean War, 136 Medals of Honor were presented for bravery in action, 98 (72.1%) of them posthumously. As of 2018, five recipients were still living.

Image	Name	Branch	Birth date and age	Reference
	Dewey, Duane E.Duane E. Dewey	Marine Corps	19311116 (1931-11-16) November 16, 1931 (age 92)
	Miyamura, Hiroshi H.Hiroshi H. Miyamura	Army	19251006 (1925-10-06) October 6, 1925 (age 98)
	Rosser, Ronald E.Ronald E. Rosser	Army	19291024 (1929-10-24) October 24, 1929 (age 94)
	Simanek, Robert E.Robert E. Simanek	Marine Corps	19300426 (1930-04-26) April 26, 1930 (age 94)
	West, Ernest E.Ernest E. West	Army	19310902 (1931-09-02) September 2, 1931 (age 92)

Vietnam

During the Vietnam War, 249 Medals of Honor were received, 156 (62.9%) of them posthumously. Of the 93 recipients who lived to receive their medals for actions in the Vietnam War, 51 are alive as of 2018.

The first person to earn the Medal of Honor in this war was Roger Donlon who, on 6 July 1964, rescued and administered first aid to several wounded soldiers and led a group against an enemy force.

Image	Name	Branch	Birth date and age	Reference
	Adkins, BennieBennie Adkins	Army	19340201 (1934-02-01) February 1, 1934 (age 90)
	Baca, JohnJohn Baca	Army	19490110 (1949-01-10) January 10, 1949 (age 75)
	Ballard, Donald E.Donald E. Ballard	Navy	19451205 (1945-12-05) December 5, 1945 (age 78)
	Barnum, Jr., Harvey C.Harvey C. Barnum, Jr.	Marine Corps	19400721 (1940-07-21) July 21, 1940 (age 83)
	Beikirch, Gary B.Gary B. Beikirch	Army	19470829 (1947-08-29) August 29, 1947 (age 76)
	Brady, Patrick HenryPatrick Henry Brady	Army	19361001 (1936-10-01) October 1, 1936 (age 87)
	Bucha, PaulPaul Bucha	Army	19430801 (1943-08-01) August 1, 1943 (age 80)
	Crandall, Bruce P.Bruce P. Crandall	Army	1933 (1933-02-17) February 17, 1933 (age 91)
	Davis, Sammy L.Sammy L. Davis	Army	19461101 (1946-11-01) November 1, 1946 (age 77)
	Dix, Drew DennisDrew Dennis Dix	Army	19441214 (1944-12-14) December 14, 1944 (age 79)
	Donlon, RogerRoger Donlon	Army	19340130 (1934-01-30) January 30, 1934 (age 90)
	Ferguson, Frederick EdgarFrederick Edgar Ferguson	Army	19390818 (1939-08-18) August 18, 1939 (age 84)
	Fitzmaurice, Michael JohnMichael John Fitzmaurice	Army	19500309 (1950-03-09) March 9, 1950 (age 74)
	Fleming, James P.James P. Fleming	Air Force	19430312 (1943-03-12) March 12, 1943 (age 81)
	Foley, Robert F.Robert F. Foley	Army	19410530 (1941-05-30) May 30, 1941 (age 82)
	Fritz, Harold A.Harold A. Fritz	Army	19440221 (1944-02-21) February 21, 1944 (age 80)
	Hagemeister, Charles C.Charles C. Hagemeister	Army	19460821 (1946-08-21) August 21, 1946 (age 77)
	Herda, Frank A.Frank A. Herda	Army	19470913 (1947-09-13) September 13, 1947 (age 76)
	Ingram, Robert R.Robert R. Ingram	Navy	19450120 (1945-01-20) January 20, 1945 (age 79)
	Jackson, Joe M.Joe M. Jackson	Air Force	19230314 (1923-03-14) March 14, 1923 (age 101)
	Jacobs, Jack H.Jack H. Jacobs	Army	19450802 (1945-08-02) August 2, 1945 (age 78)
	Jenkins, Don J.Don J. Jenkins	Army	19480418 (1948-04-18) April 18, 1948 (age 76)
	Kelley, Thomas G.Thomas G. Kelley	Navy	19390513 (1939-05-13) May 13, 1939 (age 84)
	Kellogg, Allan J.Allan J. Kellogg	Marine Corps	19431001 (1943-10-01) October 1, 1943 (age 80)
	Kerrey, BobBob Kerrey	Navy	19430827 (1943-08-27) August 27, 1943 (age 80)
	Kettles, CharlesCharles Kettles	Army	19300109 (1930-01-09) January 9, 1930 (age 94)
	Lee, Howard V.Howard V. Lee	Marine Corps	19330801 (1933-08-01) August 1, 1933 (age 90)
	Lemon, Peter C.Peter C. Lemon	Army	19500605 (1950-06-05) June 5, 1950 (age 73)
	Littrell, Gary L.Gary L. Littrell	Army	19441026 (1944-10-26) October 26, 1944 (age 79)
	Livingston, James E.James E. Livingston	Marine Corps	19400112 (1940-01-12) January 12, 1940 (age 84)
	Lynch, Allen JamesAllen James Lynch	Army	19451028 (1945-10-28) October 28, 1945 (age 78)
	Marm, Jr., Walter JosephWalter Joseph Marm, Jr.	Army	19411120 (1941-11-20) November 20, 1941 (age 82)
	McCloughan, James C.James C. McCloughan	Army	19460430 (1946-04-30) April 30, 1946 (age 77)
	Modrzejewski, Robert J.Robert J. Modrzejewski	Marine Corps	19340703 (1934-07-03) July 3, 1934 (age 89)
	Morris, MelvinMelvin Morris	Army	19420107 (1942-01-07) January 7, 1942 (age 82)
	Norris, Thomas R.Thomas R. Norris	Navy	19440114 (1944-01-14) January 14, 1944 (age 80)
	O'Malley, Robert EmmettRobert Emmett O'Malley	Marine Corps	19430603 (1943-06-03) June 3, 1943 (age 80)
	Patterson, Robert MartinRobert Martin Patterson	Army	19480416 (1948-04-16) April 16, 1948 (age 76)
	Rascon, Alfred V.Alfred V. Rascon	Army	19450910 (1945-09-10) September 10, 1945 (age 78)
	Ray, Ronald E.Ronald E. Ray	Army	19411207 (1941-12-07) December 7, 1941 (age 82)
	Roberts, Gordon RayGordon Ray Roberts	Army	19500614 (1950-06-14) June 14, 1950 (age 73)
	Rodela, JoseJose Rodela	Army	19370615 (1937-06-15) June 15, 1937 (age 86)
	Rose, Gary M.Gary M. Rose	Army	19471017 (1947-10-17) October 17, 1947 (age 76)
	Sasser, ClarenceClarence Sasser	Army	19470912 (1947-09-12) September 12, 1947 (age 76)
	Sprayberry, James M.James M. Sprayberry	Army	19470424 (1947-04-24) April 24, 1947 (age 77)
	Stumpf, Kenneth E.Kenneth E. Stumpf	Army	19440928 (1944-09-28) September 28, 1944 (age 79)
	Taylor, James AllenJames Allen Taylor	Army	19371231 (1937-12-31) December 31, 1937 (age 86)
	Thacker, BrianBrian Thacker	Army	19450425 (1945-04-25) April 25, 1945 (age 79)
	Thornton, Michael E.Michael E. Thornton	Navy	19490323 (1949-03-23) March 23, 1949 (age 75)
	Vargas, Jay R.Jay R. Vargas	Marine Corps	19380729 (1938-07-29) July 29, 1938 (age 85)
	Wetzel, GaryGary Wetzel	Army	19470929 (1947-09-29) September 29, 1947 (age 76)

War in Afghanistan

The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001 and was the beginning of the 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, 15 American service-members have received the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan, three of them posthumously.

Image	Name	Branch	Birth date and age	Reference
	Edward Byers	Navy	19790804 (1979-08-04) August 4, 1979 (age 44)
	Carpenter, KyleKyle Carpenter	Marine Corps	19891017 (1989-10-17) October 17, 1989 (age 34)
	Carter, TyTy Carter	Army	19800125 (1980-01-25) January 25, 1980 (age 44)
	Giunta, SalvatoreSalvatore Giunta	Army	19850121 (1985-01-21) January 21, 1985 (age 39)
	Groberg, FlorentFlorent Groberg	Army	19830508 (1983-05-08) May 8, 1983 (age 40)
	Meyer, DakotaDakota Meyer	Marine Corps	19880626 (1988-06-26) June 26, 1988 (age 35)
	Petry, LeroyLeroy Petry	Army	19790729 (1979-07-29) July 29, 1979 (age 44)
	Pitts, Ryan M.Ryan M. Pitts	Army	19850101 (1985-10-01) October 1, 1985 (age 38)
	Romesha, ClintonClinton Romesha	Army	19810817 (1981-08-17) August 17, 1981 (age 42)
	Slabinski, Britt K.Britt K. Slabinski	Navy	19691201 (1969-12-01) December 1, 1969 (age 54)
	Swenson, William D.William D. Swenson	Army	19781102 (1978-11-02) November 2, 1978 (age 45)
	White, KyleKyle White	Army	19870327 (1987-03-27) March 27, 1987 (age 37)

Recently deceased

Recipients who died within the last twelve months are listed below.

Image	Name	Branch	Conflict	Birth date	Death date	Place of death	Ref.
	Hudner Jr., Thomas J.Thomas J. Hudner Jr.	Navy	Korean War	August 31, 1924	November 13, 2017	Concord, Massachusetts
	Fox, Wesley L.Wesley L. Fox	Marine Corps	Vietnam War	September 30, 1931	November 24, 2017	Blacksburg, Virginia