Here Are the States Home to the Majority of Medal of Honor Recipients

Receiving a Medal of Honor is the ultimate prize for any U.S. military member. In fact, it is the highest acknowledgment one can be awarded. Only military personnel who have displayed the qualities of courage and integrity are eligible for this award. It is often given to those who made grand sacrifices during action, like backtracking to save a fellow brother despite the danger involved.

This highly respected and coveted award has been around for 160 years. James Grimes, the senator who originally proposed the bill, described the medal as a way for servicemen to “distinguish themselves by gallantry in action.” The first to be awarded with this prestigious medal was Bernard J.D. Irwin. By his own accord, he had rescued 60 men from Apache Pass, Arizona in 1861. Since that time, upwards of 3,500 Medals of Honor have been given, with 65 of these men and women still living.

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.

Why We’re Covering This

As the highest military honor bestowed upon a member of the U.S. military, the Medal of Honor sheds light on the heroic stories and regional contributions in American history. Understanding which states have the highest Medal of Honor recipients also provides insights into the sacrifices made by the individuals and their communities.

These are the states with the most Medal of Honor recipients.

50. Alaska

Number of Medal of Honor recipients: None
Service branch with most recipients: None
Historical conflict with most recipients: None

49. Nevada

Number of Medal of Honor recipients: 2
Service branch with most recipients: U.S. Army (1 recipient)
Historical conflict with most recipients: Indian Campaigns (1 recipient)

48. South Dakota

Number of Medal of Honor recipients: 3
Service branch with most recipients: U.S. Army (2 recipients)
Historical conflict with most recipients: World War II (2 recipients)

47. Wyoming

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Number of Medal of Honor recipients: 3
Service branch with most recipients: U.S. Army (3 recipients)
Historical conflict with most recipients: World War II (2 recipients)

46. Hawaii

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Number of Medal of Honor recipients: 7
Service branch with most recipients: U.S. Army (7 recipients)
Historical conflict with most recipients: Vietnam War (5 recipients)

45. Utah

Number of Medal of Honor recipients: 5
Service branch with most recipients: U.S. Navy (4 recipients)
Historical conflict with most recipients: World War II (3 recipients)

44. Montana

Number of Medal of Honor recipients: 8
Service branch with most recipients: U.S. Army (7 recipients)
Historical conflict with most recipients: World War II (5 recipients)

43. New Mexico

Number of Medal of Honor recipients: 9
Service branch with most recipients: U.S. Army (3 recipients)
Historical conflict with most recipients: World War II (3 recipients)

42. Idaho

Number of Medal of Honor recipients: 10
Service branch with most recipients: U.S. Army (6 recipients)
Historical conflict with most recipients: Korean War (4 recipients)

41. Arkansas

Number of Medal of Honor recipients: 11
Service branch with most recipients: U.S. Amry (7 recipients)
Historical conflict with most recipients: World War II (7 recipients)

40. Delaware

Number of Medal of Honor recipients: 13
Service branch with most recipients: U.S. Army (11 recipients)
Historical conflict with most recipients: Civil War (9 recipients)

39. Oregon

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Number of Medal of Honor recipients: 13
Service branch with most recipients: U.S. Army (10 recipients)
Historical conflict with most recipients: Vietnam War (4 recipients)

38. Arizona

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Number of Medal of Honor recipients: 14
Service branch with most recipients: U.S. Amry (9 recipients)
Historical conflict with most recipients: Vietnam War (9 recipients)

37. North Dakota

Number of Medal of Honor recipients: 17
Service branch with most recipients: U.S. Army (14 recipients)
Historical conflict with most recipients: Philippine Insurrection (9 recipients)