Each year on March 29th, the nation observes National Vietnam War Veterans Day. This date was chosen for its historical significance, marking the official end of U.S. military involvement in Vietnam, the departure of the last American combat troops, and the release of the final acknowledged American prisoners of war by Hanoi.
Approximately one in ten Americans of that generation served in Vietnam, enduring brutal conditions both during and after their service. tragically, many veterans returned home to rejection and even hostility, unfairly blamed for the conflict. Recognizing this injustice, in 2012, President Obama began a 13-year 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War, aiming to honor their service and sacrifice and to correct the narrative.
In the coming weeks, the nation will once again honor National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Later in November of this year, the 50th Anniversary Commemoration will conclude. However, it remains crucial for all Americans to continue remembering, recognizing, and honoring the legacy of Vietnam War veterans and their families.
Beyond its cultural and military impact, the Vietnam War produced some of the most valiant service members in U.S. military history. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a look at those who earned the Medal of Honor for their service during this defining period.
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. States with no recipients from the Vietnam War were excluded.
(This is a revised version of a previously published story, now featuring the most recent Medal of Honor recipient counts per state. This reflects the latest information as we commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of these individuals this month.)
Why This Matters Right Now
Why do the stories of Medal of Honor recipients matter today? These individuals, who demonstrated extraordinary bravery and self-sacrifice, exemplify the highest ideals of military service and citizenship. Their actions remind us that even amidst adversity, we can choose courage over fear and unity over division. Specifically honoring these individuals this month is more than just a moment of remembrance. It’s also an opportunity to actively learn from their examples and cultivate a better way of living, serving, and overcoming challenges in our own lives and communities.
Here is a look at the states with the most Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War:
1 Medal of Honor
![Arkansas+military | Good morning [Image 6 of 8]](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/imageForEntry10-pGs.jpg)
Arkansas, South Dakota, Utah, Indiana, Kansas, and North Dakota are each home to one Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam War. Overall, however, these states can claim several more from other wars:
- Arkansas: 12 total recipients from all branches (#43 out of 51)
- South Dakota: 3 total recipients from all branches (#49 out of 51)
- Utah: 6 total recipients from all branches (#47 out of 51)
- Indiana: 74 total recipients from all branches (#12 out of 51)
- Kansas: 31 total recipients from all branches (#28 out of 51)
- North Dakota: 19 total recipients from all branches (#37 out of 51)
2 Medals of Honor
New Mexico, Idaho, and Mississippi are each home to two Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War. These states can claim several other Medals of Honor from other wars as well:
- New Mexico: 9 total recipients from all branches (#45 out of 51)
- Idaho: 10 total recipients from all branches (#44 out of 51)
- Mississippi: 18 (#39 out of 51)
3 Medals of Honor
Maine, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, and Oklahoma are each home to three Medal of Honor recipients. These states are also home to several other Medals of Honor from other wars:
- Maine: 66 total recipients from all branches (#13 out of 51)
- Hawaii: 19 total recipients from all branches (#38 out of 51)
- Kentucky: 44 total recipients from all branches (#21 out of 51)
- Maryland: 84 total recipients from all branches (#9 out of 51)
- Oklahoma: 25 total recipients from all branches (#34 out of 51)
4 Medals of Honor
North Carolina, Oregon, Nebraska, Connecticut, Iowa, and Missouri have each produced four Medal of Honor recipients. In addition, these states also hold further Medal of Honor awards from other wars:
- North Carolina: 22 total recipients from all branches (#35 out of 51)
- Oregon: 13 total recipients from all branches (#41 out of 51)
- Nebraska: 21 total recipients from all branches (#35 out of 51)
- Connecticut: 57 total recipients from all branches (#14 out of 51)
- Iowa: 55 total recipients from all branches (#15 out of 51)
- Missouri: 78 total recipients from all branches (#10 out of 51)
5 Medals of Honor
Colorado, West Virginia, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Tennessee each have three residents who received a Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. These states are also home to many other Medal of Honor recipients from other wars:
- Colorado: 24 total recipients from all branches (#31 out of 51)
- West Virginia: 45 total recipients from all branches (#20 out of 51)
- Louisiana: 24 total recipients from all branches (#29 out of 51)
- Wisconsin: 50 total recipients from all branches (#17 out of 51)
- Minnesota: 45 total recipients from all branches (#20 out of 51)
- Tennessee: 33 total recipients from all branches (#25 out of 51)
6 Medals of Honor
Arizona, Alabama, Massachusetts, South Carolina, and New Jersey are each home to six Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War. Overall, however, these states can claim several more from other wars:
- Arizona: 16 total recipients from all branches (#30 out of 51)
- Alabama: 21 total recipients from all branches (#36 out of 51)
- Massachusetts: 265 total recipients from all branches (#3 out of 51)
- South Carolina: 33 total recipients from all branches (#26 out of 51)
- New Jersey: 93 total recipients from all branches (#8 out of 51)
8 Medals of Honor
Both Virginia and Washington each have eight residents who have received a Medal of Honor for their service during the Vietnam War. In addition, these two states are home to many other recipients from various conflicts:
- Virginia: 47 total recipients from all branches (#17 out of 51)
- Washington: 34 total recipients from all branches (#24 out of 51)
9 Medals of Honor
Both Georgia and Florida each have nine residents who received a Medal of Honor for their service during the Vietnam War. In addition, these two states are home to many other recipients from various conflicts:
- Georgia: 22 total recipients from all branches (#33 out of 51)
- Florida: 24 total recipients from all branches (#31 out of 51)
10 Medals of Honor
Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are each home to 10 Medals of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War. These states can claim several other Medals of Honor from other wars as well:
- Michigan: 99 total recipients from all branches (#6 out of 51)
- Ohio: 255 total recipients from all branches (#4 out of 51)
- Pennsylvania: 380 total recipients from all branches (#2 out of 51)
15 Medals of Honor: 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
17 Medals of Honor: Illinois
- Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 17
- Total recipients from all branches: 210 – #5 out of 51
- Total recipients from U.S. Army: 164 – #4 out of 51
- Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 25 – #5 out of 51
- Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 20 – #5 out of 51
- Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: 1 – #5 out of 51
29 Medals of Honor: California
- Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 29
- Total recipients from all branches: 141 – #6 out of 51
- Total recipients from U.S. Army: 92 – #7 out of 51
- Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 23 – #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
30 Medals of Honor: New York
- Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam War: 30
- Total recipients from all branches: 677 – #1 out of 51
- Total recipients from U.S. Army: 417 – #1 out of 51
- Total recipients from U.S. Navy: 223 – #1 out of 51
- Total recipients from U.S. Marine Corps: 37 – #1 out of 51
- Total recipients from U.S. Air Force: N/A
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