These Are the States with the Most Medal of Honor Recipients from the Vietnam War

Military

Published: December 3, 2024 11:22 am

The Vietnam War was a period that defined modern America, not just in a cultural sense, but the military doctrine that came from this war as well. From this time also came some of the most valiant service members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a look at those that were awarded our nation’s highest military honor.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to identify the states with the most Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War. States were ranked according to how many Medal of Honor recipients were accredited to each state. We also included supplemental information regarding how many recipients served in each military branch for each state since the Medal of Honor has been established. States with no recipients from the Vietnam War were excluded.

Here is a look at the states with the most Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War:

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.

41. South Dakota

vietnam+war+sniper | Vietnam War 1968 - U.S. Snipers

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 1
Total recipients from all branches: 3 – #49 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 2 – #48 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: N/A
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 1 – #49 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

40. Utah

vietnam+war+sniper | VIETNAM WAR U.S. SOLDIERS SNIPER

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 1
Total recipients from all branches: 5 – #47 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 2 – #47 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 3 – #33 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: N/A
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

39. Indiana

vietnam+war+sniper | Vietnam War 1965 - Trận Bình Giã - Sniper Fire

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 1
Total recipients from all branches: 74 – #12 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 61 – #10 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 9 – #14 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 4 – #14 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

38. Kansas

vietnam+war+sniper | Vietnam War U.S. Snipers

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 1
Total recipients from all branches: 28 – #28 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 25 – #22 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 1 – #40 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 2 – #40 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

37. North Dakota

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 1
Total recipients from all branches: 17 – #39 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 14 – #34 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 2 – #37 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 1 – #37 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

36. New Mexico

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 2
Total recipients from all branches: 9 – #45 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 8 – #42 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: N/A
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 1 – #46 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

35. Idaho

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 2
Total recipients from all branches: 10 – #44 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 6 – #45 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: N/A
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 3 – #42 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: 1 – #16 out of 51

34. Mississippi

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 2
Total recipients from all branches: 18 – #38 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 12 – #37 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 3 – #31 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 3 – #31 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

33. Maine

Vietnam War 1968 - US Marine Snipers by manhhai

Vietnam War 1968 - US Marine Snipers (BY 2.0) by manhhai

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 3
Total recipients from all branches: 66 – #13 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 41 – #15 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 24 – #6 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: N/A
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: 1 – #8 out of 51

32. Hawaii

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 3
Total recipients from all branches: 20 – #37 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 20 – #27 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: N/A
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: N/A
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

31. Kentucky

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 3
Total recipients from all branches: 44 – #21 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 36 – #19 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 3 – #30 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 5 – #30 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

30. Maryland

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 3
Total recipients from all branches: 83 – #9 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 49 – #12 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 30 – #4 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 3 – #4 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: 1 – #7 out of 51

29. North Carolina

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 3
Total recipients from all branches: 20 – #35 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 14 – #33 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 5 – #23 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 1 – #23 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

28. Oklahoma

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 3
Total recipients from all branches: 23 – #30 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 19 – #28 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 2 – #35 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 2 – #35 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

27. Oregon

130831-A-UH571-371 by Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office

130831-A-UH571-371 (CC BY 2.0) by Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 4
Total recipients from all branches: 13 – #41 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 11 – #39 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: N/A
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 2 – #45 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

26. Nebraska

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 4
Total recipients from all branches: 20 – #36 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 10 – #41 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 6 – #21 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 4 – #21 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

25. Connecticut

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 4
Total recipients from all branches: 56 – #14 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 38 – #18 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 13 – #11 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 4 – #11 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: 1 – #10 out of 51

24. Iowa

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 4
Total recipients from all branches: 54 – #15 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 46 – #13 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 5 – #22 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 1 – #22 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: 2 – #1 out of 51

23. Colorado

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 4
Total recipients from all branches: 23 – #32 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 16 – #30 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 3 – #28 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 3 – #28 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: 1 – #14 out of 51

22. Missouri

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 4
Total recipients from all branches: 78 – #10 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 64 – #8 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 9 – #13 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 5 – #13 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

21. West Virginia

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 5
Total recipients from all branches: 45 – #20 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 39 – #17 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 4 – #26 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 2 – #26 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

20. Louisiana

Tired Vietnam War era soldier puts oh his helmet, with American flag in background

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 5
Total recipients from all branches: 24 – #29 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 15 – #31 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 6 – #18 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 2 – #18 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: 1 – #15 out of 51

19. Wisconsin

The Vietnam War (2017) | The Vietnam War (2017)

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 5
Total recipients from all branches: 49 – #17 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 40 – #16 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 4 – #25 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 4 – #25 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: 1 – #9 out of 51

18. Minnesota

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 5
Total recipients from all branches: 46 – #19 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 34 – #20 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 2 – #34 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 9 – #34 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: 1 – #11 out of 51

17. Tennessee

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 5
Total recipients from all branches: 33 – #25 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 27 – #21 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 4 – #27 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 2 – #27 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

16. Arizona

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 6
Total recipients from all branches: 17 – #40 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 13 – #35 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: N/A
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 4 – #44 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

15. Alabama

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 6
Total recipients from all branches: 21 – #34 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 15 – #32 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 2 – #36 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 4 – #36 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

14. Massachusetts

Vermont+veterans | Vermont Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 6
Total recipients from all branches: 265 – #3 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 141 – #5 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 102 – #2 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 22 – #2 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

13. South Carolina

View from the back of a male soldier in the uniform of the American army waving the US flag on top of a mountain in a clearing at sunset

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 6
Total recipients from all branches: 31 – #26 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 18 – #29 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 6 – #20 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 7 – #20 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

12. New Jersey

Veterans Day. US soldiers. US army. USA patch flag on the US military uniform. United States Armed Forces.

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 6
Total recipients from all branches: 94 – #8 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 61 – #9 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 21 – #8 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 12 – #8 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

11. Virginia

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 8
Total recipients from all branches: 50 – #16 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 25 – #23 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 18 – #10 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 6 – #10 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: 1 – #12 out of 51

10. Washington

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 8
Total recipients from all branches: 34 – #24 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 20 – #26 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 6 – #17 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 6 – #17 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: 1 – #13 out of 51

9. Georgia

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 9
Total recipients from all branches: 22 – #33 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 11 – #38 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 1 – #39 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 8 – #39 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: 2 – #2 out of 51

8. Florida

Military boots and camouflage trousers of many soldiers in uniform in a row under the rain and snow

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 9
Total recipients from all branches: 23 – #31 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 13 – #36 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 5 – #24 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 5 – #24 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

7. Michigan

Veterans Day. US soldier. US Army. The United States Armed Forces. American Military

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 9
Total recipients from all branches: 109 – #7 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 96 – #6 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 6 – #19 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 7 – #19 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

6. Ohio

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 10
Total recipients from all branches: 258 – #4 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 225 – #3 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 20 – #9 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 12 – #9 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: 1 – #4 out of 51

5. Pennsylvania

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 10
Total recipients from all branches: 379 – #2 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 275 – #2 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 71 – #3 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 32 – #3 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: 1 – #3 out of 51

4. Texas

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 15
Total recipients from all branches: 77 – #11 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 56 – #11 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 7 – #16 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 13 – #16 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: 1 – #6 out of 51

3. Illinois

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 17
Total recipients from all branches: 207 – #5 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 162 – #4 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 25 – #5 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 19 – #5 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: 1 – #5 out of 51

2. California

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 28
Total recipients from all branches: 138 – #6 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 90 – #7 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 22 – #7 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 26 – #7 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

1. New York

Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 30
Total recipients from all branches: 675 – #1 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Army: 415 – #1 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 224 – #1 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 36 – #1 out of 51
Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A

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Read more: Military, congressional medal of honor society, medal of honor, medal of honor by state, vietnam war

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