Special Report

This Is the Newest Medal of Honor Recipient in Each State

whitehouse / Flickr

Since its inception in December 1861, the Medal of Honor has been awarded for acts of heroism and bravery by U.S. servicemen as a symbol of the highest level of duty one can perform for their country. This medal unites recipients with uncommon valor from cities, towns, and cultures all across the United States. And in each generation, these soldiers continue to demonstrate the best of what the U.S. military has to offer. (These are the states with the most Medal of Honor recipients.)

The Medal of Honor is a storied U.S. military tradition, spanning more than 150 years and all branches of the armed forces. In this time more than 3,500 medals have been awarded among the 41 million Americans who have served during this time.

Here 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to identify the most recent Medal of Honor recipient from each state. We included the name of the most recent recipient as well as what branch of the military they served in, the highest rank, the date of medal presentation, and the conflict the recipient was involved in. States are ordered alphabetically and all information is from the society.

The most recent recipient of the Medal of Honor is Larry L. Taylor for his service in the Vietnam War with the U.S. Army. Despite receiving the medal for service during combat operations on June 18, 1968, Taylor was presented the medal by President Joe Biden at the White House on September 5, 2023. Taylor “distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty.”

Larry L. Taylor is only the most recent to receive this prestigious medal. Though the Medal of Honor is only awarded to a select few, it serves as an inspiration to many. (This is the World War II battle with the most casualties, and it’s not even close.)

Here is a look at the most recent recipient of the Medal of Honor from each state:

Alabama, George Watson

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: January 13, 1997
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Private
  • Served in this conflict: World War II

Alaska, N/A

volvob12b / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: N/A
  • Military branch: N/A
  • Highest rank achieved: N/A
  • Served in this conflict: N/A

Arizona, Manuel V Mendoza

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: March 18, 2014
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Staff Sergeant
  • Served in this conflict: World War II

Arkansas, Johnny Lee Canley

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: October 17, 2018
  • Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
  • Highest rank achieved: Gunnery Sergeant
  • Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

California, Salvador J. Lara; Joe Gandara

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: March 18, 2014
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Private First Class; Private
  • Served in this conflict: World War II

Colorado, Jon Edward Swanson

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: May 1, 2002
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Captain
  • Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Connecticut, John A. Chapman

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: August 22, 2018
  • Military branch: U.S. Air Force
  • Highest rank achieved: Master Sergeant
  • Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Delaware, James Phillip Connor

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: May 7, 1945
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Sergeant
  • Served in this conflict: World War II

Florida, Alwyn Crendall Cashe

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: December 16, 2021
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Sergeant First Class
  • Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Georgia, William D. Swenson

thejointstaff / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: October 16, 2013
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Hawaii, Dennis M. Fujii; Edward N. Kaneshiro

secdef / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: July 5, 2022
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Specialist Five; Staff Sergeant
  • Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Idaho, Frank Stanley Reasoner

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: January 31, 1967
  • Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
  • Highest rank achieved: First Lieutenant
  • Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Illinois, John J. Duffy

secdef / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: July 5, 2022
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Major
  • Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Indiana, Frank Harry Ono

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: September 21, 2000
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Private First Class
  • Served in this conflict: World War II

Iowa, Salvatore Augustine Giunta

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: November 16, 2010
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Staff Sergeant
  • Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Kansas, Riley Leroy Pitts

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: December 10, 1968
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Captain
  • Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Kentucky, Garlin Murl Conner

jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • Date of presentation: June 26, 2018
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: First Lieutenant
  • Served in this conflict: World War II

Louisiana, Paris D. Davis

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: March 3, 2023
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Colonel
  • Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Maine, Gary Ivan Gordon

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: May 23, 1994
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Master Sergeant
  • Served in this conflict: Somalia (Operation Restore Hope)

Maryland, Florent A. Groberg

thejointstaff / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: November 12, 2015
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Captain
  • Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Massachusetts, Britt Kelly Slabinski

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: May 24, 2018
  • Military branch: U.S. Navy SEALs
  • Highest rank achieved: Master Chief
  • Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Michigan, James C. McCloughan

secdef / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: July 31, 2017
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Specialist Fifth Class
  • Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Minnesota, Leo Keith Thorsness

arlingtonnatl / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: October 15, 1973
  • Military branch: U.S. Air Force
  • Highest rank achieved: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Mississippi, Ed W. Freeman

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: July 16, 2001
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Major
  • Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Missouri, Willy F. James Jr.

usabmc / Flickr / Public Domain
  • Date of presentation: January 13, 1997
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Private First Class
  • Served in this conflict: World War II

Montana, Travis W. Atkins

whitehouse45 / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: March 27, 2019
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Staff Sergeant
  • Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Nebraska, Donald K Schwab

soldiersmediacenter / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: March 18, 2014
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: First Lieutenant
  • Served in this conflict: World War II

Nevada, Bruce Avery Van Voorhis

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: August 1, 1946
  • Military branch: U.S. Navy
  • Highest rank achieved: Commander
  • Served in this conflict: World War II

New Hampshire, Richard Hetherington O’Kane

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: March 27, 1946
  • Military branch: U.S. Navy
  • Highest rank achieved: Rear Admiral
  • Served in this conflict: World War II

New Jersey, Henry Svehla

soldiersmediacenter / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: May 2, 2011
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Private First Class
  • Served in this conflict: Korean War

New Mexico, Leroy Arthur Petry

soldiersmediacenter / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: July 12, 2011
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Master Sergeant
  • Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

New York, Ralph Puckett, Jr.

whitehouse / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: May 21, 2021
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Colonel
  • Served in this conflict: Korean War

North Carolina, Melvin Morris

US Army Africa / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: March 18, 2014
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Sergeant First Class
  • Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

North Dakota, Woodrow Wilson Keeble

soldiersmediacenter / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: March 3, 2008
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Master Sergeant
  • Served in this conflict: Korean War

Ohio, Edward C. Byers, Jr.

usnavy / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: February 29, 2016
  • Military branch: U.S. Navy SEALs
  • Highest rank achieved: Master Chief
  • Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Oklahoma, Dwight W. Birdwell

secdef / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: July 5, 2022
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Specialist Five
  • Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Oregon, Larry Gilbert Dahl

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: August 8, 1974
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Specialist Fourth Class
  • Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Pennsylvania, Ross A. McGinnis

soldiersmediacenter / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: June 2, 2008
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Private First Class
  • Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Rhode Island, David Bernard Champagne

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: July 23, 1953
  • Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
  • Highest rank achieved: Corporal
  • Served in this conflict: Korean War

South Carolina, Christopher Andrew Celiz

Davidc1220 / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: December 16, 2021
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Sergeant First Class
  • Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

South Dakota, Michael John Fitzmaurice

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: October 15, 1973
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Technical Sergeant
  • Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Tennessee, Larry L. Taylor

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: September 5, 2023
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Captain
  • Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Texas, Matthew O. Williams

whitehouse45 / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: October 30, 2019
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Sergeant Major
  • Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

Utah, George Taro “Joe” Sakato

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: June 21, 2000
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Private
  • Served in this conflict: World War II

Vermont, Lawson Paterson “Red” Ramage

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: January 10, 1945
  • Military branch: U.S. Navy
  • Highest rank achieved: Vice Admiral
  • Served in this conflict: World War II

Virginia, Humbert Roque “Rocky” Versace

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: July 8, 2002
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Captain
  • Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Washington, Ronald J. Shurer II

whitehouse45 / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: October 1, 2018
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Staff Sergeant
  • Served in this conflict: War on Terrorism

West Virginia, Robert Willard Hartsock

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Date of presentation: August 6, 1970
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Staff Sergeant
  • Served in this conflict: Vietnam War

Wisconsin, Benjamin Louis Salomon

United States Air Force medal of honor with case.
Tracy Fisher / Shutterstock.com
  • Date of presentation: May 1, 2002
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Captain
  • Served in this conflict: World War II

Wyoming, Joe Hayashi

jondoeforty1 / Flickr
  • Date of presentation: June 21, 2000
  • Military branch: U.S. Army
  • Highest rank achieved: Private
  • Served in this conflict: World War II

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