In America, the Medal of Honor is given to members of the military who display “extraordinary acts of courage.” This prestigious award is the highest honor bestowed in the armed forces and dates back to the Civil War. Throughout the decades since this infamous war, the Medal of Honor has been saved for those showing the highest degree of selflessness during combat. In addition, any recipient must have been nominated through a detailed process.
Examples of exemplary behavior that may warrant receiving the Medal of Honor include unasked-for, hero-like acts of bravery. These almost always include taking action during life-or-death situations. Men and women who receive this honor have undoubtedly put the overall mission, along with their fellow servicemen, ahead of their own safety. It goes without saying that very few individuals receive this award, with anywhere from thirty to just a few medals given each year. In fact, some years no medals are handed out at all.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society (CMOHS) to identify the states with the most Medal of Honor recipients. We ranked states based on total Medal of Honor recipients. We included supplemental information regarding the conflict with the most recipients, service branch with most recipients, and the most recent recipient 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.
Here is a look at the states with the most Medal of Honor recipients:
50. Alaska
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 0
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: N/A
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: N/A
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: N/A
49. Nevada
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 2
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Indian Campaigns (1 recipient)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (1 recipient)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Bruce Avery Van Voorhis – August 1, 1946
48. South Dakota
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 3
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (2 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (2 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Michael John Fitzmaurice – October 15, 1973
47. Wyoming
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 3
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (2 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (3 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Joe Hayashi – June 21, 2000
46. Utah
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 5
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (4 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Navy (3 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: George Taro “Joe” Sakato – June 21, 2000
45. Montana
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 9
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (5 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (7 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Travis W. Atkins – March 27, 2019
44. New Mexico
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 9
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (3 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (8 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Leroy Arthur Petry – July 12, 2011
43. Idaho
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 10
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Korean War (4 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (6 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Frank Stanley Reasoner – January 31, 1967
42. Arkansas
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 11
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (7 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (7 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Johnny Lee Canley – October 17, 2018
41. Delaware
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 13
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (9 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (11 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: James Phillip Connor – May 7, 1945
40. Oregon
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 13
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Vietnam War (4 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (10 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Larry Gilbert Dahl – August 8, 1974
39. Arizona
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 17
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Vietnam War (6 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (9 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Manuel V Mendoza – March 18, 2014
38. North Dakota
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 17
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Philippine Insurrection (9 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (14 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Woodrow Wilson Keeble – March 3, 2008
37. Mississippi
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 18
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (6 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (12 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Ed W. Freeman – July 16, 2001
36. Hawaii
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 20
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (14 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (20 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Dennis M. Fujii; Edward N. Kaneshiro – July 5, 2022
35. Nebraska
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 20
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (4 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (10 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Donald K Schwab – March 18, 2014
34. North Carolina
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 20
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (7 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (14 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Melvin Morris – March 18, 2014
33. Alabama
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 21
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (8 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (13 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: George Watson – January 13, 1997
32. Georgia
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 22
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Vietnam War (9 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (11 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: William D. Swenson – October 16, 2013
31. Colorado
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 23
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (10 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (14 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Jon Edward Swanson – May 1, 2002
30. Florida
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 23
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Vietnam War (9 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (11 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Alwyn Crendall Cashe – December 16, 2021
29. Oklahoma
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 23
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (13 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (17 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Dwight W. Birdwell – July 5, 2022
28. Louisiana
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 24
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (6 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (13 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Paris D. Davis – March 3, 2023
27. Kansas
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 28
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Indian Campaigns (9 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (23 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Riley Leroy Pitts – December 10, 1968
26. Rhode Island
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 31
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (22 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (22 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: David Bernard Champagne – July 23, 1953
25. South Carolina
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 31
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War I (8 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (19 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Christopher Andrew Celiz – December 16, 2021
24. Tennessee
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 33
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (7 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (27 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Larry L. Taylor – September 5, 2023
23. Washington
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 34
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (13 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (17 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Ronald J. Shurer II – October 1, 2018
22. New Hampshire
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 36
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (30 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (25 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Richard Hetherington O’Kane – March 27, 1946
21. Kentucky
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 44
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Indian Campaigns (14 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (35 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Garlin Murl Conner – June 26, 2018
20. West Virginia
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 45
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (26 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (39 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Robert Willard Hartsock – August 6, 1970
19. Minnesota
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 46
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (16 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (33 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Leo Keith Thorsness – October 15, 1973
18. Vermont
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 47
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (43 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (43 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Lawson Paterson “Red” Ramage – January 10, 1945
17. Wisconsin
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 49
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (17 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (38 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Benjamin Louis Salomon – May 1, 2002
16. Virginia
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 50
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (10 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (24 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Humbert Roque “Rocky” Versace – July 8, 2002
15. Iowa
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 54
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (30 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (45 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Salvatore Augustine Giunta – November 16, 2010
14. Connecticut
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 56
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (36 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (38 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: John A. Chapman – August 22, 2018
13. Maine
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 66
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (48 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (40 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Gary Ivan Gordon – May 23, 1994
12. Indiana
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 74
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (45 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (61 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Frank Harry Ono – September 21, 2000
11. Texas
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 77
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (32 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (50 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Matthew O. Williams – October 30, 2019
10. Missouri
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 78
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Indian Campaigns (26 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (63 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Willy F. James Jr. – January 13, 1997
9. Maryland
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 83
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (41 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (49 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Florent A. Groberg – November 12, 2015
8. New Jersey
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 94
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (35 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (60 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Henry Svehla – May 2, 2011
7. Michigan
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 109
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (62 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (94 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: James C. McCloughan – July 31, 2017
6. California
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 138
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Indian Campaigns (29 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (89 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Salvador J. Lara; Joe Gandara – March 18, 2014
5. Illinois
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 207
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (112 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (159 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: John J. Duffy – July 5, 2022
4. Ohio
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 258
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (155 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (220 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: George D. Wilson – July 3, 2024
3. Massachusetts
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 265
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (132 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (140 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Britt Kelly Slabinski – May 24, 2018
2. Pennsylvania
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 379
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (212 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (272 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Ross A. McGinnis – June 2, 2008
1. New York
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 675
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (383 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (409 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Ralph Puckett, Jr. – May 21, 2021
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