From its beginning in December 1861, the Medal of Honor stands as the pinnacle of military recognition in the United States, awarded for unparalleled acts of valor and heroism. This medal unites recipients with uncommon valor from cities, towns, and cultures all across the United States. Generation after generation, recipients of this distinguished award are recognized as the best of U.S. military tradition. (The guns America’s elite Navy SEALs rely on in combat.)

The Medal of Honor is a storied U.S. military tradition, spanning more than 150 years and all branches of the armed forces. In this time more than 3,500 medals have been awarded among the 41 million Americans who have served during this time. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at Medal of Honor recipients, and the states they came from.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to identify the most recent Medal of Honor recipient from each state. We included the name of the most recent recipient as well as what branch of the military they served in, the highest rank, the date of medal presentation, and the conflict the recipient was involved in. States are ordered alphabetically, and all information is from the society. Note that both of the most recent recipients were from the same state, so they were listed as separate entries for the same state.

The most recent recipients of the Medal of Honor are Philip G. Shadrach and George D. Wilson. Both were awarded posthumously for valiant acts during the Civil War. These men “distinguished [themselves] by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty.” (This pistol from 1911 is still being used by the U.S. Army.)

Philip G. Shadrach and George D. Wilson are only the most recent to receive this prestigious medal. Though the Medal of Honor is only awarded to a select few, it serves as an inspiration to many. (These two countries in WWII had the most casualties, and it’s not even close.)

Here is a look at the most recent recipient of the Medal of Honor from each state:

Why Are We Covering This?

The stories of Medal of Honor recipients and the significance of the medal itself is central to the U.S. military ethos. These recipients and their stories are an inspiration, “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty.” It’s important to appreciate the profound sacrifices that these men made in service to the nation. The Medal of Honor symbolizes the courage, selflessness, and resilience that define the highest ideals of military service. Again, these stories serve as powerful reminders of the values we aspire to as a society even in the face of adversity.

Alabama, George Watson

• Date of presentation: January 13, 1997
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Private
• Served in this conflict: World War II

Alaska, N/A

Arizona, Manuel V Mendoza

• Date of presentation: March 18, 2014
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Staff Sergeant
• Served in this conflict: World War II

Arkansas, Johnny Lee Canley

• Date of presentation: October 17, 2018
• Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
• Highest rank achieved: Gunnery Sergeant
• Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

California, Salvador J. Lara; Joe Gandara

• Date of presentation: March 18, 2014
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Private First Class; Private
• Served in this conflict: World War II

Colorado, Jon Edward Swanson

• Date of presentation: May 1, 2002
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Captain
• Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Connecticut, John A. Chapman

• Date of presentation: August 22, 2018
• Military branch: U.S. Air Force
• Highest rank achieved: Master Sergeant
• Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Delaware, James Phillip Connor

• Date of presentation: May 7, 1945
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Sergeant
• Served in this conflict: World War II

Florida, Alwyn Crendall Cashe

• Date of presentation: December 16, 2021
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Sergeant First Class
• Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Georgia, William D. Swenson

• Date of presentation: October 16, 2013
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Lieutenant Colonel
• Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Hawaii, Dennis M. Fujii; Edward N. Kaneshiro

• Date of presentation: July 5, 2022
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Specialist Five; Staff Sergeant
• Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Idaho, Frank Stanley Reasoner

• Date of presentation: January 31, 1967
• Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
• Highest rank achieved: First Lieutenant
• Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Illinois, John J. Duffy

• Date of presentation: July 5, 2022
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Major
• Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Indiana, Frank Harry Ono

• Date of presentation: September 21, 2000
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Private First Class
• Served in this conflict: World War II

Iowa, Salvatore Augustine Giunta

• Date of presentation: November 16, 2010
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Staff Sergeant
• Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Kansas, Riley Leroy Pitts

• Date of presentation: December 10, 1968
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Captain
• Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Kentucky, Garlin Murl Conner

• Date of presentation: June 26, 2018
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: First Lieutenant
• Served in this conflict: World War II

Louisiana, Paris D. Davis

• Date of presentation: March 3, 2023
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Colonel
• Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Maine, Gary Ivan Gordon

• Date of presentation: May 23, 1994
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Master Sergeant
• Served in this conflict: Somalia (Operation Restore Hope)

Maryland, Florent A. Groberg

• Date of presentation: November 12, 2015
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Captain
• Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Massachusetts, Britt Kelly Slabinski

• Date of presentation: May 24, 2018
• Military branch: U.S. Navy SEALs
• Highest rank achieved: Master Chief
• Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Michigan, James C. McCloughan

• Date of presentation: July 31, 2017
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Specialist Fifth Class
• Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Minnesota, Leo Keith Thorsness

• Date of presentation: October 15, 1973
• Military branch: U.S. Air Force
• Highest rank achieved: Lieutenant Colonel
• Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Mississippi, Ed W. Freeman

• Date of presentation: July 16, 2001
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Major
• Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Missouri, Willy F. James Jr.

• Date of presentation: January 13, 1997
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Private First Class
• Served in this conflict: World War II

Montana, Travis W. Atkins

• Date of presentation: March 27, 2019
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Staff Sergeant
• Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Nebraska, Donald K Schwab

• Date of presentation: March 18, 2014
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: First Lieutenant
• Served in this conflict: World War II

Nevada, Bruce Avery Van Voorhis

• Date of presentation: August 1, 1946
• Military branch: U.S. Navy
• Highest rank achieved: Commander
• Served in this conflict: World War II

New Hampshire, Richard Hetherington O’Kane

• Date of presentation: March 27, 1946
• Military branch: U.S. Navy
• Highest rank achieved: Rear Admiral
• Served in this conflict: World War II

New Jersey, Henry Svehla

• Date of presentation: May 2, 2011
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Private First Class
• Served in this conflict: Korean War

New Mexico, Leroy Arthur Petry

• Date of presentation: July 12, 2011
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Master Sergeant
• Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

New York, Ralph Puckett, Jr.

• Date of presentation: May 21, 2021
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Colonel
• Served in this conflict: Korean War

North Carolina, Melvin Morris

• Date of presentation: March 18, 2014
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Sergeant First Class
• Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

North Dakota, Woodrow Wilson Keeble

• Date of presentation: March 3, 2008
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Master Sergeant
• Served in this conflict: Korean War

Ohio, George D. Wilson

• Date of presentation: July 3, 2024
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Private
• Served in this conflict: U.S. Civil War

Ohio, Philip G. Shadrach

• Date of presentation: July 3, 2024
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Private
• Served in this conflict: U.S. Civil War

Oklahoma, Dwight W. Birdwell

• Date of presentation: July 5, 2022
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Specialist Five
• Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Oregon, Larry Gilbert Dahl

• Date of presentation: August 8, 1974
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Specialist Fourth Class
• Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Pennsylvania, Ross A. McGinnis

• Date of presentation: June 2, 2008
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Private First Class
• Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Rhode Island, David Bernard Champagne

• Date of presentation: July 23, 1953
• Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
• Highest rank achieved: Corporal
• Served in this conflict: Korean War

South Carolina, Christopher Andrew Celiz

• Date of presentation: December 16, 2021
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Sergeant First Class
• Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

South Dakota, Michael John Fitzmaurice

• Date of presentation: October 15, 1973
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Technical Sergeant
• Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Tennessee, Larry L. Taylor

• Date of presentation: September 5, 2023
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Captain
• Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Texas, Matthew O. Williams

• Date of presentation: October 30, 2019
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Sergeant Major
• Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Utah, George Taro “Joe” Sakato

• Date of presentation: June 21, 2000
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Private
• Served in this conflict: World War II

Vermont, Lawson Paterson “Red” Ramage

• Date of presentation: January 10, 1945
• Military branch: U.S. Navy
• Highest rank achieved: Vice Admiral
• Served in this conflict: World War II

Virginia, Humbert Roque “Rocky” Versace

• Date of presentation: July 8, 2002
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Captain
• Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Washington, Ronald J. Shurer II

• Date of presentation: October 1, 2018
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Staff Sergeant
• Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

West Virginia, Robert Willard Hartsock

• Date of presentation: August 6, 1970
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Staff Sergeant
• Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Wisconsin, Benjamin Louis Salomon

• Date of presentation: May 1, 2002
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Captain
• Served in this conflict: World War II

Wyoming, Joe Hayashi

• Date of presentation: June 21, 2000
• Military branch: U.S. Army
• Highest rank achieved: Private
• Served in this conflict: World War II

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