Wall of Valor

Near Ph Romeas Hek, Cambodia

When an enemy round struck his armored car, knocking him to the ground and injuring four soldiers nearby, Copas ignoring his own wounds remounted the burning vehicle and fired his machine gun at the enemy. He continued firing devastating volleys until mortally wounded, enabling the safe evacuation of his comrades. Medal awarded in 2014 by President Obama.

Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam

While leading a night ambush operation, a fragmentation grenade was thrown into his command group. Shouting a warning to his soldiers, he deliberately threw himself on the grenade, absorbing the full and fatal force of the explosion to save the lives of nearby members of his command group.

Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam

As an armored personnel carrier commander during a battle against a North Vietnamese battalion, Petersen maneuvered his vehicle between a disabled carrier and the enemy, placing suppressive fire on fortified positions. After his own vehicle was disabled, he stayed behind to provide covering fire so others could withdraw, and was mortally wounded in the process.

Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam

While serving as platoon sergeant during a reconnaissance mission, Bowen's platoon was caught in a withering crossfire ambush. When an enemy grenade was thrown amid Bowen and three of his men, he shouted a warning and hurled himself on the grenade, absorbing the explosion with his body to save the lives of his fellow soldiers.

Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam

As squad leader during an ambush operation against a large enemy force, Fleek opened fire and directed effective fire on the numerically superior enemy. When an enemy soldier threw a grenade into his squad position, Fleek shouted a warning to his comrades and threw himself onto the grenade, absorbing its blast. His action saved the lives or prevented the injury of at least eight fellow soldiers.

Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam

When three of his soldiers were pinned down and one seriously wounded, Doane crawled to the nearest enemy bunker and silenced it. Wounded but continuing forward, he approached a second bunker. As he prepared to throw a grenade, he was again wounded. Undaunted, he deliberately pulled the pin and lunged with the grenade into the enemy bunker, destroying it and enabling his company to rescue the trapped men.

Dau Tieng, Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam

When a wounded enemy detonated a satchel charge, Hartsock threw himself on it and was gravely wounded. Despite his injuries, he crawled to a ditch and provided suppressive fire, pinning down the enemy until he succumbed to his wounds. He was the only dog handler in Vietnam to receive the Medal of Honor.

Chu Pa Region, Pleiku Province, Republic of Vietnam

As a conscientious objector serving as a medical aidman, Bennett repeatedly moved through heavy enemy fire to reach fallen soldiers, administer first aid, and evacuate them to safety. On February 11, while attempting to reach a soldier wounded by sniper fire, he was killed. He was the second conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor.

Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam

While moving through a rubber plantation to reinforce another unit, Warren's company came under intense fire. When he was within six feet of an enemy bunker and preparing to throw a grenade, an enemy grenade was thrown into his small group. Warren fell on the enemy grenade, shielding his men from the blast at the cost of his life, saving three comrades.

Near Ben Cui, Republic of Vietnam

When his company was engaged by an estimated regimental-size North Vietnamese force and the acting platoon leader was killed, Young assumed command. During a human-wave attack, he moved from position to position, encouraging and directing fire while exposing himself to enemy bullets. He distinguished himself at the cost of his life through fearless leadership.

Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam

When his unit's night defensive position was attacked by an estimated Viet Cong battalion, Lambers assumed command after the platoon leader fell wounded. Through five hours of battle, he directed artillery and helicopter fire within five meters of his position. His leadership resulted in the virtual annihilation of a vastly superior enemy force.

Near Gia Dinh, Republic of Vietnam

When his company was hit by a battalion-size enemy force, Cutinha moved forward with his machine gun, firing at the charging enemy. Seriously wounded in the leg, he assumed command of survivors and initiated a withdrawal while providing cover fire. He was solely responsible for killing 15 enemy soldiers while saving at least nine comrades before being mortally wounded.

Tan Son Nhut Air Base, near Saigon, Republic of Vietnam

During the Tet Offensive, when his tank commander was incapacitated, Birdwell moved him to safety under heavy fire and assumed control of the vehicle. When his machine gun exploded from enemy fire, wounding his face and torso, he refused evacuation. He collected ammunition from disabled vehicles, distributed it to defenders, and led a small group against enemy forces until reinforcements arrived. Medal awarded in 2022 by President Biden.

Ap Dong, Republic of Vietnam

Leading his company during an airmobile assault, Pitts forcefully led an assault that overran initial enemy positions. He lobbed a grenade at one bunker, but it rebounded off the dense foliage. Without hesitation, he threw himself on top of the grenade, which fortunately failed to explode. He then moved to direct effective fire on the enemy until mortally wounded. He was the first African American commissioned officer to receive the Medal of Honor.

Near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam

When three men fell wounded in front of a hostile machine-gun emplacement, Stumpf left his secure trench position, ran through the barrage, and reached his wounded comrades. He rescued three men under fire and single-handedly disabled an enemy bunker.

Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam

While investigating a reported Viet Cong meeting house, Sargent approached a booby-trapped tunnel entrance. When a Viet Cong emerged and threw two hand grenades into the group, Sargent fired three shots at the enemy and then unhesitatingly threw himself over both grenades, absorbing the blast with his body. His sacrifice saved the lives of his platoon sergeant and forward observer.

Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam

Leading his platoon on a flanking maneuver, Karopczyc dashed through intense fire to mark enemy positions for helicopter gunships. Shot above the heart, he plugged the wound with his finger and continued leading his men. When a grenade landed near two wounded men, he leaped up to cover it with a steel helmet. He continued directing the fight for two more hours before succumbing to his wounds.

Near Phu Hoa Dong, Republic of Vietnam

When his company was hit by an intense attack from a battalion-sized enemy force, Yabes shielded others from grenades with his body in the command post. Though painfully wounded, he rescued two wounded men from exposed ground, killed several enemy soldiers, then dashed across open terrain to destroy an enemy machine gun, falling mortally wounded as he eliminated the threat.

Plei Djereng, Republic of Vietnam

As a squad leader during a search-and-destroy mission, Belcher led his men forward under heavy enemy fire. When a hand grenade landed in the midst of his squad, he instantly realized the danger and, with complete disregard for his safety, lunged forward and covered the grenade with his body, absorbing the blast at the cost of his life to save his comrades.

Near Plei Djereng, Republic of Vietnam

When his company encountered a fierce firefight, Grant organized defensive positions against human wave assaults. He repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to rescue wounded soldiers and reposition his men to fill gaps created by mounting casualties. Though wounded, he continued leading the defense until killed in a mortar attack.

Near Dau Tieng, Republic of Vietnam

When the lead man was killed during movement to assist an engaged unit, Baker moved to the head of the column and, with another soldier, knocked out two enemy bunkers. After his comrade was mortally wounded, Baker spotted four Viet Cong snipers, killed all of them, evacuated the fallen soldier, and returned to lead repeated assaults against enemy positions.

Near Dau Tieng, Republic of Vietnam

Leading his company to extricate another besieged unit, Foley ran to the most intense action to direct the attack. Seizing a machine gun, he charged forward firing and shouting encouragement. Blown off his feet by a grenade, he refused medical aid and continued leading the assault, single-handedly destroying three enemy gun emplacements.

Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam

When one of his ambush patrols was attacked by an estimated reinforced Viet Cong company, Ray organized a reaction force and moved two kilometers through jungle terrain to the contact area. He silenced an enemy emplacement with a grenade and killed four Viet Cong with rifle fire. Seeing an enemy grenade land near two of his men, he dove between them and the grenade, receiving wounds in his feet and legs.

Cu Chi, Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam

When his patrol was ambushed by a Viet Cong rifle company, Fernandez volunteered to rescue a wounded soldier left behind. As the rescue group reached the casualty, an enemy grenade landed among them. With no time for others to take cover, Fernandez vaulted over the wounded sergeant and threw himself on the grenade, sacrificing his life to save four comrades.

Near Lumboy, Luzon, Philippine Islands

As platoon guide during an assault on a camouflaged entrenchment, Cooley destroyed one enemy machine gun with a grenade. Moving toward a second machine gun, he was rushed by six enemy soldiers. Knowing he could not dispose of an armed grenade without injuring his comrades, he deliberately covered it with his body and was severely wounded.

Near Lupao, Luzon, Philippine Islands

When his platoon was pinned down by fire from five Japanese tanks, ten machine guns, and a platoon of riflemen, McGaha crossed the road under heavy fire to rescue a wounded man 40 yards away. Though wounded in the arm, he assumed command when the platoon leader fell, rescued additional wounded soldiers, and deliberately drew enemy fire to cover his men's withdrawal.

Binalonan and San Manuel, Luzon, Philippine Islands

As a medical aidman, Parrish repeatedly braved intense enemy fire to rescue and treat wounded soldiers over the course of several days. On January 24 near San Manuel, he again exposed himself to hostile fire, carrying five men to safety and treating dozens more before being mortally wounded.

Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

As executive officer, Davis volunteered to carry instructions to companies caught in Japanese crossfire. With complete disregard for safety, he delivered the instructions and remained overnight in the exposed position. The next day, he led an assault against Japanese positions. When his rifle jammed, he drew his pistol and led the charge over the hilltop, routing the enemy.

Mount Austen, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

During a Japanese attack that killed and wounded several crew members, Hall refused orders to withdraw and joined Sergeant Fournier at an unmanned machine gun. Together they held the weapon and opened fire, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Both were killed, but their action enabled the battalion to succeed in its attack.

Mount Austen, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

As leader of a machine-gun section during a Japanese attack, his gunner was killed and assistant gunner wounded. Ordered to withdraw, Fournier refused and rushed to an idle gun. With Technician 5th Grade Lewis Hall, he held up the machine gun by the tripod to increase its field of action and opened fire, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Both men were killed but their defensive action was decisive in the attacking battalion's success.