The most recent recipient of the Medal of Honor is former Army 1st Lt. Larry L. Taylor who served his country in the Vietnam War. Taylor was an AH1-G Cobra attack helicopter pilot who rescued four reconnaissance soldiers near the hamlet of Ap Go Cong on the night of June 18, 1968. His belief in no man left behind secured the safety of his fellow soldiers and on September 3, 2023, earned him the military’s highest award.
Taylor joins an elite few within the American armed forces who went above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. Like fellow Vietnam Veteran Paris D. Davis, who fought in the war with the 5th Special Forces Group in Binh Dinh Province and was awarded the medal on March 3, 2023. (These are the most decorated war heroes in American history.)
The very first Medal of Honor was presented to Union Army soldier Private Jacob Parrott for his role in the military raid in northern Georgia during the Civil War. Known as the Great Locomotive Chase or Andrew’s Raiders. Parrott, along with several other raiders, was eventually awarded the prestigious recognition. (This is every medal and ribbon the U.S. military awards, ranked.)
There have been more than 3,500 Medals of Honor awarded. The Civil War remains the conflict with the most Medal of Honor recipients at 1,523, followed by World War II with 472, and 426 for service in the Indian Campaigns (1869 to 1890). There have been 619 medals given posthumously and living Medal of Honor recipients is currently at 65. Nineteen military members have been awarded two medals for actions in different wars.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to identify the states with the most Medal of Honor recipients. States are ranked by the total number of Medal of Honor recipients who entered the armed services in the state. All information is from the society. The number of recipients by state largely correlates with population size and when the state was admitted to the Union.
An example would be Massachusetts, a state that ranks third on the list with 265 Medal of Honor recipients. In terms of population, Massachusetts ranks around 15 of all states, but it was the sixth state admitted to the Union. On the other hand, California, the most populous state, ranks sixth with 138 Medal of Honor recipients. The state was admitted to the Union more than half a century after Massachusetts.
These are the states with the most Medal of Honor recipients.
50. Alaska
There are no Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Alaska, which makes the conflict that had the most recipients and the service branch with the most recipients not applicable.
49. Nevada
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Nevada is two. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of one, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Indian Campaigns, with a total of one.
48. South Dakota
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in South Dakota is three. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of two, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of two.
47. Wyoming
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Wyoming is three. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of three, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of two.
46. Hawaii
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Hawaii is seven. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of seven, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Vietnam War, with a total of five.
45. Utah
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Utah is five. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Navy, with a total of four, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of three.
44. Montana
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Montana is eight. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of seven, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of five.
43. New Mexico
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of New Mexico is nine. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of three, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of three.
42. Idaho
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Idaho is ten. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of six, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Korean War, with a total of four.
41. Arkansas
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Arkansas is 11. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of seven, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of seven.
40. Delaware
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Delaware is 13. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 11, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of nine.
39. Oregon
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Oregon is 13. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 10, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Vietnam War, with a total of four.
38. Arizona
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Arizona is 14. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of nine, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Vietnam War, with a total of nine.
37. North Dakota
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of North Dakota is 17. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 14, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Philippine Insurrection, with a total of nine.
36. Mississippi
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Mississippi is 18. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 12, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of six.
35. Nebraska
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Nebraska is 20. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of ten, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of four.
34. North Carolina
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of North Carolina is 20. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 14, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of seven.
33. Alabama
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Alabama is 21. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 13, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of eight.
31. Georgia
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Georgia is 22. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 11, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Vietnam War, with a total of nine.
32. Oklahoma
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Oklahoma is 22. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 17, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of 13.
30. Colorado
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Colorado is 23. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 14, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of 10.
29. Florida
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Florida is 23. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of nine, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Vietnam War, with a total of 11.
28. Louisiana
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Louisiana is 24. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 13, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Vietnam War, with a total of seven.
27. Kansas
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Kansas is 28. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 23, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Indian Campaigns, with a total of nine.
26. Rhode Island
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Rhode Island is 31. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 22, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 22.
25. Washington
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Washington State is 31. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 17, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of 13.
24. South Carolina
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in South Carolina is 32. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 19, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War I, with a total of eight.
23. Tennessee
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Tennessee is 34. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 27, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of seven.
22. New Hampshire
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of New Hampshire is 36. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 25, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 30.
21. Kentucky
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Kentucky is 43. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 35, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Indian Campaigns, with a total of 14.
20. West Virginia
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of West Virginia is 45. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 39, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 26.
19. Minnesota
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Minnesota is 46. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 33, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 16.
18. Vermont
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Vermont is 47. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 43, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 43.
17. Virginia
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Virginia is 50. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 24, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 10.
16. Wisconsin
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Wisconsin is 50. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 38, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 17.
15. Iowa
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Iowa is 54. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 45, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 30.
14. Connecticut
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Connecticut is 56. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army with a total of 38, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 36.
13. Maine
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Maine is 66. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 40, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 48.
12. Indiana
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Indiana is 74. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 61, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 45.
11. Texas
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Texas is 76. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army with a total of 50, and the conflict with the most recipients is World War II, with a total of 32.
10. Missouri
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Missouri is 78. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 63, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Indian Campaigns, with a total of 26.
9. Maryland
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Maryland is 83. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 49, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 41.
8. New Jersey
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in New Jersey is 94. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 60, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 35.
7. Michigan
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Michigan is 109. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 94, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 62.
6. California
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of California is 138. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 89, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Indian Campaigns, with a total of 29.
5. Illinois
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Illinois is 207. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army with a total of 159, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 112.
4. Ohio
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Ohio is 254. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army, with a total of 218, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 153.
3. Massachusetts
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in Massachusetts is 265. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army with a total of 140, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 132.
2. Pennsylvania
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in the state of Pennsylvania is 380. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army with a total of 272, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 212.
1. New York
The number of Medal of Honor recipients who enlisted in New York is 672. The service branch with the most recipients is the U.S. Army with a total of 409, and the conflict with the most recipients is the Civil War, with a total of 383.
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