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This is a list of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II. The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an "enemy of the United States" or an "opposing foreign force". Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously.^[1]

World War II, or the Second World War, was a global military conflict, the joining of what had initially been two separate conflicts. The first began in Asia in 1937 as the Second Sino-Japanese War; the other began in Europe in 1939 with the German and Soviet invasion of Poland.^[2] This global conflict split the majority of the world's nations into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis powers.

The United States was drawn into World War II on December 8, 1941, a day after the Axis-member Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Honolulu that killed almost 2,500 people in what was considered the biggest peacetime loss on American soil inflicted by foreign people at that time.

For actions during World War II, 472 United States military personnel received the Medal of Honor.^[3] Seventeen of these were Japanese-Americans fighting in both Europe and the Pacific, many of which were upgraded from Distinguished Service Crosses during the Clinton administration. Additionally, Douglas Albert Munro was the only serviceman from the United States Coast Guard in United States military history to receive the Medal for his actions during the war.

The earliest action for which a U.S. serviceman earned a World War II Medal of Honor was the attack on Pearl Harbor, for which 17 U.S. servicemen were awarded a Medal, although they did so "while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force" rather than "enemy" since the United States was neutral during the events of December 7, 1941. The last action to earn a contemporaneous Medal of Honor prior to the August 15, 1945, end of hostilities in World War II, were those of Melvin Mayfield, on July 29, 1945 – though several honorees may have been cited for their Medal after Mayfield's recognition on May 31, 1946. Additionally, seven African-American and twenty-two Asian-American soldiers who had received the Distinguished Service Cross during the war were awarded the Medal of Honor in 1997 and 2000 – most of them posthumously – after two studies determined that racial discrimination had caused them to be overlooked at the time.^[4]

A

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Image	Name	Service	Rank	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
	Lucian Adams	Army	Staff Sergeant	near St. Dié, France	October 28, 1944	Personally killed 9 Germans, eliminated 3 enemy machine guns, vanquished a specialized force which was armed with automatic weapons and grenade launchers, cleared the woods of hostile elements, and reopened the severed supply lines to the assault companies of his battalion.
	Harold C. Agerholm †	Marine Corps	Private First Class	Saipan, Mariana Islands	July 7, 1944	For single-handedly evacuating approximately 45 casualties under heavy rifle and mortar fire.
	Beauford T. Anderson	Army	Technical Sergeant	Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands	April 13, 1945	Risked his life to save several of his fellow soldiers and repel an enemy attack single-handedly.
	Richard B. Anderson †	Marine Corps	Private First Class	Roi Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands	February 1, 1944	In a shell crater, Richard B. Anderson hurled his body upon a grenade to save his companions, taking the full impact of the explosion.
	Sylvester Antolak †	Army	Sergeant	near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy	May 24, 1944	Near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, he charged 200 yards over flat, coverless terrain to destroy an enemy machine gun nest during the second day of the offensive which broke through the German cordon of steel around the Anzio beachhead.
	Richard N. Antrim	Navy	Lieutenant	Makassar, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies	April 1942	During the early part of his imprisonment at Makassar in April 1942, he saw a Japanese guard brutally beating a fellow prisoner of war and successfully intervened, at great risk to his own life. For his conspicuous act of valor, Antrim later received the Medal of Honor.
—	Thomas E. Atkins	Army	Private First Class	Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippines	March 10, 1945	Remained in his fox hole for 4 hours bearing the brunt of each enemy assault and maintaining fire until each charge was repulsed.

B

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Image	Name	Service	Rank	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
	Kenneth D. Bailey †	Marine Corps	Major	Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands	September 12, 1942 – September 13, 1942	For repelling enemy offensive maneuvers, holding the main line and upholding friendly morale while sustaining fire from superior enemy forces despite a severe head wound.
	Addison E. Baker †	Air Forces	Lieutenant Colonel	over Ploiești, Romania (Operation Tidal Wave)	August 1, 1943	For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy on August 1, 1943. On this date he led his command, the 93d Heavy Bombardment Group, on a daring low-level attack against enemy oil refineries and installations at Ploiești, Romania.
	Thomas A. Baker †	Army	Private	Saipan, Mariana Islands	June 19, 1944 – July 7, 1944	On Saipan in the Mariana Islands, he advanced ahead of his unit with a bazooka and destroyed a Japanese emplacement which was firing on his company. Several days later, he single-handedly attacked and killed two groups of Japanese soldiers. On July 7, Baker's position came under attack by a large Japanese force. Although seriously wounded early in the attack, he refused to be evacuated and continued to fight in the close-range battle until running out of ammunition. When a comrade was wounded while trying to carry him to safety, Baker insisted that he be left behind. At his request, his comrades left him propped against a tree and gave him a M1911 pistol, which had eight bullets remaining. When American forces retook the position, they found the pistol, now empty, and eight dead Japanese soldiers around Baker's body.
	Vernon J. Baker		Second Lieutenant	near Viareggio, Italy	April 5, 1945 – April 6, 1945	Demonstrated outstanding courage and leadership in destroying enemy installations, personnel and equipment during his company's attack against a strongly entrenched enemy in mountainous terrain. One of seven African-American soldiers who received their medals belatedly, after a 1993 study revealed discrimination that caused them to be overlooked at the time.
	Van T. Barfoot		Technical Sergeant	near Carano, Italy	May 23, 1944	"With his platoon heavily engaged during an assault against forces well entrenched on commanding ground, 2d Lt. Barfoot (then Tech. Sgt.) moved off alone upon the enemy left flank. He crawled to the proximity of 1 machine gun nest and made a direct hit on it with a hand grenade, killing 2 and wounding 3 Germans. He continued along the German defense line to another machine gun emplacement, and with his tommygun killed 2 and captured 3 soldiers. Members of another enemy machine gun crew then abandoned their position and gave themselves up to Sgt. Barfoot. Leaving the prisoners for his support squad to pick up, he proceeded to mop up positions in the immediate area, capturing more prisoners and bringing his total count to 17. Later that day, after he had reorganized his men and consolidated the newly captured ground, the enemy launched a fierce armored counterattack directly at his platoon positions. Securing a bazooka, Sgt. Barfoot took up an exposed position directly in front of 3 advancing Mark VI tanks. From a distance of 75 yards his first shot destroyed the track of the leading tank, effectively disabling it, while the other 2 changed direction toward the flank. As the crew of the disabled tank dismounted, Sgt. Barfoot killed 3 of them with his tommygun. He continued onward into enemy terrain and destroyed a recently abandoned German fieldpiece with a demolition charge placed in the breech. While returning to his platoon position, Sgt. Barfoot, though greatly fatigued by his Herculean efforts, assisted 2 of his seriously wounded men 1,700 yards to a position of safety. Sgt. Barfoot's extraordinary heroism, demonstration of magnificent valor, and aggressive determination in the face of pointblank fire are a perpetual inspiration to his fellow soldiers."[5]
	Carlton W. Barrett		Private	near St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France	June 6, 1944	Joined the United States Army in Albany, New York, he was a member of, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Barrett was one of four Medal of Honor recipients on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
	John Basilone	Marine Corps	Sergeant	Lunga area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands	October 24, 1942 – October 25, 1942	On the night of October 24–25, 1942 his unit engaged the Japanese in the Lunga area when their position came under attack by a regiment of approximately 3,000 soldiers. The Japanese forces began a frontal attack using machine guns, grenades and mortars against the American heavy machine guns. Basilone commanded two sections of machine guns that fought for the next 48 hours until only Basilone and two other men were still able to continue fighting. Basilone moved an extra gun into position and maintained continual fire against the incoming Japanese forces. He repaired another machine-gun and personally manned it, holding the defensive line until replacements arrived. With the continuous fighting, ammunition became critically low and supply lines were cut off. Basilone fought through hostile lines and returned with urgently needed ammunition for his gunners. He was killed on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. He was the first Enlisted Marine to receive The Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, and Navy Cross.
	Harold W. Bauer †		Lieutenant Colonel	South Pacific area	May 10, 1942 – November 14, 1942	For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage as Squadron Commander of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO TWELVE in the South Pacific Area during the period May 10 to November 14, 1942.
	Lewis K. Bausell †		Corporal	Peleliu Island, Palau Group	September 15, 1944	During combat at Peleliu, he covered an exploding Japanese hand grenade in order to protect his comrades, and died of his wounds three days later. Bausell was the only enlisted Marine from the Nation's capital, Washington, D.C. to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during World War II.
	Raymond O. Beaudoin †	Army	First Lieutenant	Hamelin, Germany	April 6, 1945	By his intrepidity, great fighting skill, and supreme devotion to his responsibility for the well-being of his platoon, 1st Lt. Beaudoin single-handedly accomplished a mission that enabled a messenger to secure help which saved the stricken unit and made possible the decisive defeat of the German forces.
	Bernard P. Bell		Technical Sergeant	Mittelwihr, France	December 18, 1944	By his intrepidity and bold, aggressive leadership, T/Sgt. Bell enabled his 8-man squad to drive back approximately 150 of the enemy, killing at least 87 and capturing 42. Personally, he killed more than 20 and captured 33 prisoners.
—	Stanley Bender		Staff Sergeant	near La Londe les maures, France	August 17, 1944	He had sparked and led the assault company in an attack which overwhelmed the enemy, destroying a roadblock, taking a town, seizing intact 3 bridges over the Maravenne River, and capturing commanding terrain which dominated the area.
—	George Benjamin Jr. †		Private First Class	Leyte, Philippines	December 21, 1944	He was severely wounded while leading an assault against a strongly defended Japanese position on the island of Leyte. After being evacuated to an aid station, he conveyed valuable information regarding the disposition of the Japanese emplacement to his superiors.
—	Edward A. Bennett		Corporal	Heckhuscheid, Germany	February 1, 1945	The fearless initiative, stalwart combat ability, and outstanding gallantry of Cpl. Bennett eliminated the enemy fire which was decimating his company's ranks and made it possible for the Americans to sweep all resistance from the town.
	Mervyn S. Bennion †	Navy	Captain	West Virginia, Pearl Harbor	December 7, 1941	While mortally wounded, he remained in command of his ship. For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage, and complete disregard of his own life, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
	Charles J. Berry †	Marine Corps	Corporal	Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands	March 3, 1945	He landed on Iwo Jima on D-Day, February 19, 1945, and was killed in action on March 3, 1945, during the action which earned him the Medal of Honor.
—	Vito R. Bertoldo	Army	Master Sergeant	Hatten, France	January 9, 1945 – January 10, 1945	In Hatten, France, he manned a machine gun in defense of a command post being attacked by a numerically superior German force. When evacuation became necessary, he voluntarily stayed behind to cover the withdrawal. The next morning he moved to another command post, and again defended it against a continued assault by strong German forces and voluntarily covered the withdrawal of friendly forces when the post was abandoned. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor one year later, on January 10, 1946.
	Arthur O. Beyer		Corporal	near Arloncourt, Belgium	January 15, 1945	Near Arloncourt, Belgium, he used hand grenades and his carbine to single-handedly destroy two German machine gun positions before working his way through a honey-combed series of enemy foxholes—killing and capturing German soldiers as he went. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman seven months later, on August 30, 1945.
	Willibald C. Bianchi †		First Lieutenant	near Bagac, Bataan Province, Philippines	February 3, 1942	After the action near Bagac in the Bataan Province, Bianchi was among the troops captured by the Japanese at the fall of Bataan, on April 9, 1942. He was part of the Bataan "Death March," and was imprisoned in several Japanese prisoner of war camps, enduring horrible conditions. He was known for his compassion and efforts to better the lot of his fellow prisoners by bartering with their captors for extra food and medicine. On January 9, 1945, while imprisoned in an unmarked Japanese prison ship, Bianchi was killed instantly when an American plane, unaware that the ship contained American prisoners, dropped a 1,000-pound bomb in the cargo hold.
—	Melvin E. Biddle		Private First Class	near Soy, Belgium	December 23, 1944 – December 24, 1944	When presenting the medal to Biddle, Truman whispered "People don't believe me when I tell them that I'd rather have one of these than be President." Biddle was decorated with 17 other soldiers that served in the Eastern Theater of Operations.
	Elmer C. Bigelow †	Navy	Watertender First Class	USS Fletcher, off Corregidor Island, Philippines	February 14, 1945	While assisting minesweeping operations prior to landings on Manila Bay's Corregidor Island, Fletcher was hit by an enemy shell penetrated the No. 1 gun magazine, igniting several powder cases. Bigelow picked up a pair of fire extinguishers and rushed below in a resolute attempt to quell the raging flames. Refusing to waste the precious time required to don rescue-breathing apparatus, Bigelow plunged through the blinding smoke billowing out of the magazine hatch and dropped into the blazing compartment. Despite the acrid, burning powder smoke which seared his lungs, he succeeded in quickly extinguishing the fires and in cooling the cases and bulkheads, thereby preventing further damage to the ship. However Bigelow was badly injured and succumbed to his injuries the following day.
—	Arnold L. Bjorklund	Army	First Lieutenant	near Altavilla, Italy	September 13, 1943	Near Altavilla, Italy, he single-handedly attacked and destroyed two German machine gun emplacements and a mortar position.
—	Orville E. Bloch		First Lieutenant	near Firenzuola, Italy	September 22, 1944	Near Firenzuola, Italy, he led three soldiers in an attack on enemy positions which resulted in the capture of nineteen prisoners and the silencing of five machine gun nests.
	Paul L. Bolden		Staff Sergeant	Petit-Coo, Belgium	December 23, 1944	While his comrade provided covering fire from across the street, Bolden tossed grenades through a window, rushed to the door, and began firing. Wounded by the greatly superior number of German soldiers inside, he retreated from the house. Realizing that the Germans would not surrender, he returned to the house despite his serious wounds and killed the remaining soldiers. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor eight months later, on August 30, 1945.
	Cecil H. Bolton		First Lieutenant	Mark River, Holland	November 2, 1944	After being severely wounded in the legs and rendered unconsciousness from a German shell, he advanced voluntarily towards several enemy emplacements and led his team through intense enemy fire, and eliminated several machine gunners and an 88-mm. artillery piece.
	Richard I. Bong	Air Forces	Major	over Borneo and Leyte	October 10, 1944 – November 15, 1944	Fighter pilot in the Pacific theater shot down at least 40 Japanese aircraft, making him America's top ace.
	Alexander Bonnyman Jr. †	Marine Corps	First Lieutenant	Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands	November 20, 1943 – November 22, 1943	During a counterattack at the far end of Betio Pier, he directed and reorganized his pioneer party after suffering heavy bombardment, and directed the blowing of several hostile installations. Alexander Bonnyman Jr. then led his party into a renewed assault, effectively taking over a heavily fortified enemy emplacement, resulting in, approximately, 150 hostile troops being killed.
—	Robert D. Booker †	Army	Private	near Fondouk, Tunisia	April 9, 1943	While engaged in action against the enemy, he ran 200 yards of open ground with a machine gun and a box of ammunition, while under heavy fire from hostile machine gunners, mortar and artillery.
	William J. Bordelon †	Marine Corps	Staff Sergeant	Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands	November 20, 1943	Surviving a counterattack and sustaining heavy fire, William J. Bordelon attacked several enemy emplacements with demolitions and disregarded his own serious condition in order to rescue and aid two of his men.
—	George W. G. Boyce Jr. †	Army	Second Lieutenant	near Afua, New Guinea	July 23, 1944	After being ambushed by superior enemy forces, he was planning a tactical maneuver with his platoon. During this planning, a hand grenade fell in between him and his men, and he promptly threw himself upon the grenade to save his men.
	Pappy Boyington	Marine Corps	Major	Central Solomons area	September 12, 1943 – January 3, 1944	Fighter pilot with 26 victories.
	Herschel F. Briles	Army	Staff Sergeant	near Scherpenseel, Germany	November 20, 1944	With a comrade at his side, Herschel left his vehicle and rescued 2 critically wounded soldiers from a burning destroyer and extinguished the fire, which had been hit by an artillery shell near Scherpenseel, Germany, on November 20, 1944. The next morning, he forced 55 Germans to surrender, armed with only a machine gun, allowing fellow Americans to pass through the junction the Nazis occupied. Later that day, another destroyer was hit by a concealed enemy tank, where he again rescued 2 allies from the wreckage with the help of a fellow soldier.
—	Maurice L. Britt		First Lieutenant	North of Mignano, Italy	November 10, 1943	Played football for the Detroit Lions, later Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas.
	Leonard C. Brostrom †		Private First Class	near Dagami, Leyte, Philippines	October 28, 1944	During an ambush, his platoon sustained heavy fire from well-camouflaged emplacements which resulted in severe casualties. After noticing a weak point in the enemy fortification, Leonard C. Brostrom charged without hesitation to flush out the enemies. During this, he was a prime target and was killed in action, but his company managed to reorganize and assault the enemy.
—	Bobbie E. Brown		Captain	Crucifix Hill, Aachen, Germany	October 8, 1944
	John D. Bulkeley	Navy	Lieutenant Commander	Philippine waters	December 7, 1941 – April 10, 1942
—	Frank Burke	Army	First Lieutenant	Nuremberg, Germany	April 17, 1945	Also known as Francis X. Burke.
—	Elmer J. Burr †		First Sergeant	Buna, New Guinea	December 24, 1942	For smothering a grenade with his body, sacrificing himself to save others around him.
—	Herbert H. Burr		Staff Sergeant	near Dorrmoschel, Germany	March 19, 1945	He was awarded the Medal of Honor for not bailing on his mission and single-handedly destroying an 88mm anti-tank turret by driving a damaged tank over top of the gun. He also continued to destroy a German truck and directed medics to his injured men on foot while running through sniper fire.
	James M. Burt		Captain	near Wurselen, Germany	October 13, 1944	Commanded an infantry-tank attack while exposed to enemy fire, as well as ran through 75 yards through heavy fire to assist the infantry battalion commander who was seriously wounded.
	Richard E. Bush	Marine Corps	Corporal	Mount Yaedake, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands	April 16, 1945	Bush was a Squad Leader serving with the First Battalion, Fourth Marines, Sixth Marine Division, in action against Japanese forces during the final assault against Mt. Yaetake on Okinawa. He led his troops up the rocky precipice, over the ridge and drove out defending Japanese troops. He fought relentlessly in the forefront of the attack until being evacuated due to his wounds. Although prostrate under medical treatment when a Japanese grenade landed in the midst of his group, he pulled it into his body, taking the full force of the blast and saving the lives of his fellow marines. He was one of the four surviving marines who shielded grenades with their bodies during World War II.
	Robert E. Bush	Navy	Hospital Apprentice First class	Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands	May 2, 1945	Hospital Corpsman serving with Marines.
	John E. Butts †	Army	Second Lieutenant	Normandy, France	June 14, 1944, June 16, 1944, and June 23, 1944	Butts served with the U.S. Army, E Company, 60th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Division during the invasion of France in 1944. He was severely wounded on three occasions and continued leading his men until June 23 when he was killed. He was 21 years of age.

C

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Zdroj:https://en.wikipedia.org?pojem=List_of_Medal_of_Honor_recipients_for_World_War_II
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Image	Name	Service	Rank	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
	William R. Caddy †	Marine Corps	Private First Class	Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands	March 3, 1945	Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body in order to save the lives of his platoon leader and platoon sergeant
	Daniel J. Callaghan †	Navy	Rear Admiral	Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Savo Sound, Solomon Islands	November 12, 1942 – November 13, 1942	He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his ship's part in taking back the Solomon Islands from the Japanese. His heavy cruiser, the San Francisco, along with three light cruisers and another heavy cruiser drove the Japanese out of the area. This alongside the Battle of Midway was a major turning point for the Allied Forces.
	Jose Calugas	Army	Sergeant	Culis, Bataan Province, Philippines	January 16, 1942	He was born in Leon, Iloilo, Philippines to Filipino parents. Organized a squad of volunteers to man an artillery position under heavy fire. Received a direct commission and became a United States citizen. Retiring from the Army, he settled in Tacoma, Washington.
	George H. Cannon †	Marine Corps	First Lieutenant	Sand Island, Midway Atoll	December 7, 1941	Refused to be evacuated from his post until after his men, who had been wounded by the same shell that wounded him, were evacuated, and directed the reorganization of his Command Post until forcibly removed.
	Pedro Cano †	Army	Private	Schevenhütte, Germany