The Medal of Honor is the United States military’s most prestigious recognition of valor. It is not an “award” in the traditional sense, meaning that it is not something soldiers pursue or work toward. The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration, bestowed upon those who demonstrate extraordinary bravery. Recipients of this honor acted with “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty”.
March 25th is National Medal of Honor Day, a day when we pay tribute to these remarkable individuals. While over 3,500 Medals of Honor have been awarded since the Civil War, this represents less than 1% of the approximately 41 people who have served in the U.S. military. This highlights just how rare and exceptional this honor truly is.
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 the total number of recipients. We included supplemental information regarding the conflict with the most recipients, the service branch with the most recipients, and the most recent recipient from each state.
(This is a revised version of a previously published story, now featuring the most recent Medal of Honor recipients from each state as of 2025. This reflects the latest information as we commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of these individuals this month.)
Why This Matters Today
Stories from Medal of Honor recipients provide us with tangible examples of extraordinary courage, selflessness, and sacrifice. In a world filled too often with fleeting trends and superficial heroes, Medal of Honor recipients offer genuine models of character and valor. March is designated as National Medal of Honor Month, with March 25th specifically recognized as National Medal of Honor Day. This gives us a special opportunity to reflect upon their stories and ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten.
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) and World War II (1 recipient)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (1 recipient) and U.S. Navy (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: 4
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (3 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (4 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Joe Hayashi – June 21, 2000
46. Utah
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 6
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (5 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: 12
- 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 (11 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Larry Gilbert Dahl – August 8, 1974
39. Arizona
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 16
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Vietnam War (6 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (11 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Manuel V Mendoza – March 18, 2014
38. 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
37. North Dakota
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 19
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Philippine Insurrection (10 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (16 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: James W. McIntyre – January 16, 2025
36. Hawaii
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 19
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (11 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (19 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Bruno Raymond Abing Orig – January 3, 2025
35. Nebraska
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 21
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (5 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (11 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Donald K Schwab – March 18, 2014
34. 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 (15 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: George Watson – January 13, 1997
33. North Carolina
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 22
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (7 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (15 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Hugh Reavis Nelson Jr. – January 3, 2025
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: 24
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (10 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (17 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Jon Edward Swanson – May 1, 2002
30. Florida
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 24
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Vietnam War (9 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (14 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Alwyn Crendall Cashe – December 16, 2021
29. 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 (15 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Paris D. Davis – March 3, 2023
28. Oklahoma
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 25
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: World War II (13 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (21 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Dwight W. Birdwell – July 5, 2022
27. Kansas
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 31
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Indian Campaigns (11 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (28 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 (25 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: 33
- 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 (21 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: William Simon Harris – January 16, 2025
22. New Hampshire
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 35
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (29 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 (15 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (36 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: 45
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (16 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (34 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. Virginia
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 47
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (9 recipients) and World War II (9 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (25 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Humbert Roque “Rocky” Versace – July 8, 2002
16. Wisconsin
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 50
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (18 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (41 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Benjamin Louis Salomon – May 1, 2002
15. Iowa
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 55
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (30 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (47 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Salvatore Augustine Giunta – November 16, 2010
14. Connecticut
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 57
- 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 (41 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 (56 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Richard Edward Cavazos – January 3, 2025
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 (64 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Willy F. James Jr. – January 13, 1997
9. Maryland
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 84
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (41 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (50 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Florent A. Groberg – November 12, 2015
8. New Jersey
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 93
- 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: 111
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (63 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (99 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: James C. McCloughan – July 31, 2017
6. California
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 141
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Indian Campaigns (29 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (92 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: 210
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (113 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (164 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Wataru Nakamura – January 3, 2025
4. Ohio
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 255
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (154 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (222 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Fred B. McGee – January 3, 2025
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: 380
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (212 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (276 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Ross A. McGinnis – June 2, 2008
1. New York
- Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 677
- Conflict with the most recipients from state: Civil War (383 recipients)
- Service branch with the most recipients from state: U.S. Army (417 recipients)
- Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Charles Robert Johnson – January 3, 2025
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