Which States Have the Most Medal of Honor Recipients?

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By Kellianne Matthews Updated Published
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Which States Have the Most Medal of Honor Recipients?

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On March 25, 2025, The National Medal of Honor Museum opened its doors in Arlington Texas. Just a few days prior, the new museum hosted a celebration to mark the grand opening, with 32 Medal of Honor recipients taking part in the event. The massive, 130,000-square-foot museum features a striking design and an exhibition hall with five pillars, one for each branch of the US military. Visitors can engage in interactive displays of past medal recipients and view personal war-related items. The beautiful new facility praises over 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients and shares their stories with the world.

To see which states have produced the most Medal of Honor recipients, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society (CMOHS). Our ranking of states is based on the total number of Medal of Honor recipients. We also included details regarding the conflict with the most recipients from each state, the service branch with the most recipients, and the most recent Medal of Honor recipient from each state.

This post was updated on May 28, 2025 to include information on the newly opened National Medal of Honor Museum.

Why This Matters Today

Veterans Day. US soldiers. US army. USA patch flag on the US military uniform. United States Armed Forces.
Bumble Dee / Shutterstock.com

Understanding the stories of Medal of Honor recipients like William Carney remains important today because their actions offer enduring lessons in courage, selflessness, unwavering commitment to duty, and what it means to serve with honor and valor in the face of adversity. In an era often marked by division and self-interest, their sacrifices serve as powerful reminders of the foundational values of a strong and unified society.

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

50. Alaska

Welcome to Alaska sign
Richard Martin / Wikimedia Commons

  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 0
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: N/A
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: N/A
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: N/A

49. Nevada

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 2
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Indian Campaigns (1 recipient) and World War II (1 recipient)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the 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

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 3
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: World War II (2 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the 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 the state: 4
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: World War II (3 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (4 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Joe Hayashi – June 21, 2000

46. Utah

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 6
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: World War II (5 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Navy (3 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: George Taro “Joe” Sakato – June 21, 2000

45. Montana

Trump White House Archived / Public Domain / Flickr
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 9
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: World War II (5 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the 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 the state: 9
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: World War II (3 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (8 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Leroy Arthur Petry – July 12, 2011

43. Idaho

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 10
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Korean War (4 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (6 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Frank Stanley Reasoner – January 31, 1967

42. Arkansas

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 12
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: World War II (7 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (7 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Johnny Lee Canley – October 17, 2018

41. Delaware

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 13
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (9 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (11 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: James Phillip Connor – May 7, 1945

40. Oregon

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 13
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Vietnam War (4 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (11 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Larry Gilbert Dahl – August 8, 1974

39. Arizona

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 16
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Vietnam War (6 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (11 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Manuel V Mendoza – March 18, 2014

38. Mississippi

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 18
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: World War II (6 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (12 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Ed W. Freeman – July 16, 2001

37. North Dakota

Perley Fremont Rockett / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 19
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Philippine Insurrection (10 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (16 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: James W. McIntyre – January 16, 2025

36. Hawaii

U.S. Army OCPA by Kristine Dove / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 19
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: World War II (11 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the 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 the state: 20
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: World War II (4 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (10 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Donald K. Schwab – March 18, 2014

34. Alabama

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 21
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: World War II (8 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (15 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: George Watson – January 13, 1997

33. North Carolina

U.S. Army photo by Henry Villarama / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 21
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: World War II (5 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (11 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Hugh Reavis Nelson, Jr. – January 3, 2025

32. Georgia

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff / United States Government Work / Flickr
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 22
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Vietnam War (9 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (11 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: William D. Swenson – October 16, 2013

31. Colorado

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 24
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: World War II (10 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (17 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Jon Edward Swanson – May 1, 2002

30. Florida

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 24
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Vietnam War (9 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (14 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Alwyn Crendall Cashe – December 16, 2021

29. Louisiana

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 24
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: World War II (6 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the 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 the state: 25
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: World War II (13 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (21 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Dwight W. Birdwell – July 5, 2022

27. Kansas

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 31
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Indian Campaigns (11 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (28 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Riley Leroy Pitts – December 10, 1968

26. Rhode Island

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 31
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (25 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the 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 the state: 33
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: World War I (8 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (19 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Christopher Andrew Celiz – December 16, 2021

24. Tennessee

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 33
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: World War II (7 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (27 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Larry L. Taylor – September 5, 2023

23. Washington

Jack Lummus | File:NavyMedalofHonor.jpg
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 34
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: World War II (13 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (21 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: William Simon Harris – January 16, 2025

22. New Hampshire

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 35
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (29recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (25 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Richard Hetherington O’Kane – March 27, 1946

21. Kentucky

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 44
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Indian Campaigns (15 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (36 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Garlin Murl Conner – June 26, 2018

20. West Virginia

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 45
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (26 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (39 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Robert Willard Hartsock – August 6, 1970

19. Minnesota

Arlington National Cemetery / Public Domain / Flickr
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 45
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (16 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (34 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Leo Keith Thorsness – October 15, 1973

18. Vermont

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 47
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (43 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (43 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Lawson Paterson “Red” Ramage – January 10, 1945

17. Virginia

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 47
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (9 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (25 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Humbert Roque “Rocky” Versace – July 8, 2002

16. Wisconsin

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 50
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (18 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (41 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Benjamin Louis Salomon – May 1, 2002

15. Iowa

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 55
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (30 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (47 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Salvatore Augustine Giunta – November 16, 2010

14. Connecticut

Wikipedia / Public Domain

  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 57
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (36 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (38 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: John A. Chapman – August 22, 2018

13. Maine

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 66
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (48 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (41 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Gary Ivan Gordon – May 23, 1994

12. Indiana

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 74
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (45 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (61 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Frank Harry Ono – September 21, 2000

11. Texas

C.R. Bruce / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to state: 77
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: World War II (32 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (56 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Richard Edward Cavazos – January 3, 2025

10. Missouri

usabmc / Flickr / Public Domain
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 78
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Indian Campaigns (26 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the 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 the state: 84
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (41 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the 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 the state: 93
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (35 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the 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 the state: 111
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (63 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (99 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: James C. McCloughan – July 31, 2017

6. California

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 141
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Indian Campaigns (29 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (92 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Salvador J. Lara; Joe Gandara – March 18, 2014

5. Illinois

U.S. Army photo by Henry Villarama / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 210
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (113 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (164 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Wataru Nakamura – January 3, 2025

4. Ohio

U.S. Army photo by Henry Villarama / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 255
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (154 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (222 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Fred B. McGee – January 3, 2025

3. Massachusetts

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Medal of Honor recipients credited to the state: 265
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (132 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the 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 the state: 380
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (212 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the 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 the state: 677
  • Conflict with the most recipients from the state: Civil War (383 recipients)
  • Service branch with the most recipients from the state: U.S. Army (417 recipients)
  • Most recent recipient and award presentation date: Charles Robert Johnson – January 3, 2025
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