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Medal of Honor (MOH)
World War II Pacific 1941–1945

Background
A total of 471 United States military personnel earned the Medal of Honor, 273 posthumously between December 7, 1941 until the official surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945. Forty-two Medal of Honor representing 9% of all earned by Americans in World War II were earned in two Pacific War actions. Fifteen on December 7, 1941 earmed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and Oahu and twenty-seven earned on Iwo Jima. A total of 21 (4.5% of all World War II Medals of Honor) were earned by members of the Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team (442nd RCT). The only Medal of Honor earned by a member of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) was Sig 1c Douglas Munro on Guadalcanal. † indicates earned posthumously.

Pearl Harbor

Captain Mervyn S. Bennion, USN (December 7, 1941) †
Chief Aviation Ordnanceman John W. Finn, USN
Ensign Francis C. Flaherty, USN (December 7, 1941) †
Lt Commander Samuel G. Fuqua, USN (December 7, 1941)
Chief Boatswain Edwin J. Hill, USN (December 7, 1941) †
Ensign Herbert C. Jones, USN (December 7, 1941) USS California BB-44
Captain Isaac C. Kidd, USN (December 7, 1941) †
Gunner Jackson C. Pharris, USN (December 7, 1941) USS California BB-44
Chief Radioman Thomas James Reeves, USN (December 7, 1941) †
Chief Machinist Donald K. Ross, USN (December 7, 1941)
Machinist's Mate First Class Robert R. Scott, USN (December 7, 1941) †
Chief Watertender Peter Tomich, USN (December 7, 1941) †
Captain Franklin Van Valkenburgh, USN (December 7, 1941) †
Seaman First Class James Richard Ward, USN (December 7, 1941) †
Commander Cassin Young, USN (December 7, 1941)
BM2 Owen F. P. Hammerber, USN (February 17, 1945) non-combat rescue operations in West Loch of Pearl Harbor †

Wake
Major Henry T. Elrod, USMC (December 9–23, 1941) †

Japan
Brigadier General James H. Doolittle, USAAF (April 18, 1942 "Doolittle Raid")
LCdr Joseph T. O'Callahan, USN (March 19, 1945)
Lt(jg) Donald A. Gary, USN (March 19, 1945)
SSgt Henry E. Erwin (Apri 12, 1945)

Makin Island
Sgt Clyde Thomason, USMC (August 17, 1942) †

Mariana Islands
PFC Luther Skaggs, Jr, USMC
Sgt Grant Frederick Timmerman, USMC
Capt Louis Hugh Wilson, Jr, USMC
PFC Robert Lee Wilson, USMC
PFC Frank Peter Witek, USMC
Commander David McCampbell, USN (June 19, 1944) F6F Hellcat pilot USS Essex CV-9
Sgt Thomas Baker, U.S. Army (July 7, 1944) Troy, NY †
Lt. Col William J. O'Brien, U.S. Army (July 7, 1944) Troy, NY †
Captain Ben L. Salomon, U.S. Army (July 7, 1944) † 27th Infantry Division, 105th Infantry Regiment Saipan

Tarawa (Betio)
1st Lt Alexander Bonnyman, Jr
, USMCR (November 20-22, 1943) †
Col David Monroe Shoup, USMC (November 20–22, 1943)
1st Lt William Dean Hawkins, USMC (November 20, 1943November 21, 1943) †
William James Bordelon, USMC (November 20, 1943) †

Midway Atoll
1st Lt. George H. Cannon, USMC (December 7, 1941) † Sand Island, Midway Atoll
Captain Richard E. Fleming, USMC (June 5, 1942) † Battle of Midway

Marshall Islands
Pvt Richard Keith Sorenson, USMC (February 1-2, 1944) Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll

Roi-Namur
Lt. Col Aquilla James Dyess, USMC (February 2, 1944) †

Alaska, Attu
Joseph P. Martinez, U.S. Army 7th Division, 32nd Infantry Regiment, Company K (May 26, 1943) †

New Guinea
Pvt Junior Van Noy, U.S. Army (October 17, 1943) †
Sgt Elmer J. Burr U.S. Army (December 24, 1942) †
Sgt Kenneth E. Greunnert U.S. Army (December 24, 1942) †
Brigadier General Kenneth N. Walker (January 5, 1943) †
Pvt. George Watson   (March 8, 1943) †
Captain Harl Pease Jr. (August 7, 1942) †
Maj Raymond H. Wilkins, USAAF (November 2, 1943) †
Lt(jg) Nathan Gordon, USN (February 15, 1944)
Col. Neel E. Kearby, USAAF (March 6, 1944) †
SSgt Gerald L. Endl, U.S. Army Drinimor River (July 11, 1944) †
Pvt Donald R. Lobaugh U.S. Army (July 22, 1944)
2nd Lt. Dale Eldon Christensen U.S. Army Drinimor River (August 4, 1944) †
2nd Lt. George W. G. Boyce, Jr. U.S. Army Drinimor River (July 23, 1944) †
Major Ralph Cheli, USAAF (August 18, 1943) †
Seaman Johnnie David Hutchins, USNR (September 4, 1943) †
Lt. Edward "Butch" O'Hare, USN February 20, 1942
Lt. Milton E. Ricketts, USN May 8, 1942 †

Submarine Operations
Cdr Howard Walter Gillmore, USN (Jan 10 - Feb 7, 1943)
Captain John Philip Cromwell, USN (November 19, 1943) †
Richard H. O'Kane, USN (October 23-24, 1944)
Cdr Samuel D. Dealey, USN (May 26, 1944–July 3, 1944) †
Howard W. Gilmore, USN †
Cdr George Levick Street, III, USN (April 14, 1945)

Bougainville
Sgt Robert Allen Owens, USMC (November 1, 1943) †
Sgt Herbert Joseph Thomas, USMC (November 7, 1943) †
PFC Henry Gurke, USMC (November 9, 1943) †
1st Lt Robert Murray Hanson, USMC (Nov 1, 1943–Jan 24, 1944) †
Major Jay Zeamer, Jr., USAAF (June 16, 1943)
2nd Lt Joseph R Sarnoski, USAAF (June 16, 1943)

Luzon, Philippines (Defense 1941–1942)
2nd Lt. Alexander R. Nininger, Jr., U.S. Army 57th Infantry Regiment Philippine Scouts (January 12, 1942) †
General Johnathan M. Wainwright, U.S. Army (March 12–May 7, 1942)
General Douglas MacArthur, U.S. Army (April 1, 1942)
LtCdr John D. Bulkeley U.S. Navy (December 7, 1941-April 10, 1942)

Leyte, Philippines (Liberation 1944)
Captain Francis B. Wai, U.S. Army 24th Infantry Div, 34th Infantry Regiment, Headquarters (October 20, 1944) †
Pfc John F. Thorson, U.S. Army, 7th Infantry Division, 17th Infantry Regiment (October 28, 1944) †
Pfc Leonard C. Brostrom, U.S. Army, 7th Infantry Division, 17th Infantry Regiment (October 28, 1944) †
Pfc William A. McWhorter, U.S. Army 32nd Infantry Division, 126 Infantry Regiment. Company M (December 5, 1944) †
Sgt Leroy Johnson, U.S. Army 32nd Infantry Division, 126th Infantry Regiment. (December 5, 1944) †
Pfc Dirk J. Vlug  U.S. Army 32nd Infantry Division, 126 Infantry Regiment (December 15, 1944)
Major Richard Ira Bong, USAAF (October 10, 1944–November 15, 1944) bestowed December 12, 1944
Pfc George Benjamin, Jr., U.S. Army 77th Infantry Division December 21, 1944 †

Luzon, Philippines (Liberation 1945)
Commander George F. Davis (U.S. Navy) Commanding Officer (C.O.) USS Walke (DD-723), January 6, 1945 †
Major William A. Shomo (USAAF) January 11, 1945
Technician 4th Grade Laverne Parrish, U.S. Army (25th Infantry Division) January 18-24, 1945 †
2nd Lt Robert M. Viale, U.S. Army, 37th Infantry Division, 148th Infantry Regiment, Company K (February 5, 1945) †
2nd Lt Donald E. Rudolph, U.S. Army 6th Infantry Division, 20th Infantry, 2nd Battalion, Weapons Platoon (February 5, 1945)
Pfc Thomas E. Atkins (Campobello, SC) Company A, 127th Inf Reg, 32nd Inf Div. March 10, 1945   Villa Verde Trail
S/Sgt Ysmael R. Villegas (Casa Blanca, CA) Company F, 127th Inf Reg, 32nd Inf Div. March 20, 1945 Villa Verde Trail
Pfc William R Shockley, U.S. Army (Selma, CA) Company L, 128th Inf Div, March 31, 1945 Vila Verde Trail
PFC William H. Thomas, U.S. Army, 38th Infantry Division, 149th Infantry Regiment (April 22, 1945) †
Pfc David M. Gonzales (Pacoima, CA) Company A, 127th Inf Ref, 32nd Inf Div April 25, 1945
SSgt Howard E. Woodford (U.S. Army) 33rd Infantry Division, 130th Infantry Regiment, Company I (June 7, 1945) †

Philippines, Negros
Major Thomas B. McGuire, Jr., USAAF (January 7, 1945) †
SSgt John C. Sjogren, U.S. Army, 40th Infantry Division, 160th Infantry Regiment, Company I (May 23, 1945)

Battle of the Coral Sea
Lt(jg) William E. Hall USNR (May 7-8, 1942)
CPO Oscar V. Peterson (May 7, 1942) †
Lt. John James Powers (May 7, 1942)
Lt. Milton Ernest Ricketts USN (May 8, 1942)

Battle of the Sunda Strait
Captain Albert H. Rooks, USN March 1, 1942 †

Netherlands East Indies (NEI)
Lt. Richard N. Antrim, USN April 1942

Guadalcanal
Maj. John L. Smith, USMC (August–September 1942)
Col. Merritt A. Edson, USMC (September 13–14, 1942)
Jack E. Conger, USMC (October 16, 1942–Novemer 7, 1942)
Maj. Kenneth D. Bailey, USMC (September 12–13, 1942)
Maj. Robert E. Galer, USMC (March 24, 1943)
Gy/Sgt. John Basilone, USMC (October 24-25, 1942)
Cpl. Anothony Casamento, USMC (November 1, 1942)
Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC (August 7, 1942–December 9, 1942)
Lt. Col. Harold W. Bauer, USMC (November 10-14, 1942) †
Lt. Comdr. Herbert E. Sehonland, USN (November 12-13, 1942) †
Rear. Adm. Daniel J. Callaghan, USN (November 12-13, 1942) †
Lt. Cmdr. Bruce McCandless, USN (November 12-13, 1942)
BM1c Reinhardt J. Keppler, USN (November 12-13, 1942) †
Maj. Charles W. Davis, U.S. Army (January 12, 1943) †
Sgt. William C. Fournier, U.S. Army (January 10, 1943) †
T/5 Lewis Hall, U.S. Army (January 10, 1943) †
Rear Admiral Norman Scott, USN (October 11-12, November 12-13, 1943) †
Capt. Joseph J. Foss, USMC (October 9, 1942–November 19, 1942)
Plat/Sgt Mitchell Paige, USMC (October 26, 1942)
Sig.1c Douglas Munro, USCG (September 27, 1942) †
Cdr Herbert Emery Schonland, USN (November 12-13, 1942)

Solomon Islands
1st Lt. Jefferson J. DeBlanc, USMC (January 31, 1943)
Lt Robert S. Scott, U.S. Army, 43rd ID, 172nd IR (July 29, 1943)
1st Lt James Elms Swett, USMCR (April 7, 1943)
Lt Cdr Bruce Avery Van Voorhis, USN (July 6, 1943) †
1st Lt Kenneth Ambrose Walsh, USMC (August 15, 1943 and August 30, 1943)
Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, USMC (September 12, 1943–January 3, 1944)
Pvt Frank J. Petrarca, U.S. Army, 37th Infantry Division, 145th Infantry Regiment (July 29–July 31, 1943) †
Pvt Rodger W. Young, U.S. Army, 37th Infantry Division, 148th Infantry Regiment (July 31, 1943) †

Palau
PFC Wesley Phelps, 3rd Battalion 7th Marines (October 4, 1944) †
Corporal Lewis K. Bausell, 1st Battalion 5th Marines (1/5)
Private First Class Arthur J. Jackson, 3rd Battalion 7th Marines (3/7)
Private First Class Richard E. Kraus, 8th Amphibian Tractor Battalion †
Private First Class John D. New, 2nd Battalion 7th Marines (2/7) †
Captain Everett P. Pope, USMC, 1st Battalion 1st Marines (1/1)
Private First Class Charles H. Roan, 2nd Battalion 7th Marines (2/7) †
First Lieutenant Carlton R. Rouh, 1st Battalion 5th Marines (1/5)

Iwo Jima
Lt Rufus G. Herring, USN (February 19, 1945)
PFC Donald Jack Ruhl, USMC (February 19-21, 1945) †
Cpl Tony Stein, USMC (February 19, 1945) †
Sgt Darrell S. Cole, USMCR (February 19, 1945) †
Jacklyn H. Lucas, USMC (February 20, 1945)
Pvt Wilson Douglas Watson, USMC (February 26-27, 1945)
PFC Douglas T. Jacobson USMC (February 26, 1945)
John Harlan Willis, USN (February 27, 1945) †
Gy Sgt William Gary Walsh, USMC (February 27, 1945) †
PM2C George Edward Wahlen USN (March 3, 1945) USN
Cpl Hershel Woodrow Williams, USMC (February 23, 1945)
PM3C Jack Williams, USN (March 3, 1945) †
John H. Leims, USMC (March 7, 1945)
1st Lt. Jack Lummus, USMC (March 8, 1945) †
Pvt Franklin Earl Sigler, USMC (March 14, 1945)

Okinawa and Rykuyu Islands
TSgt Beauford T. Anderson, U.S. Army (April 13, 1945)
Cpl Richard E. Bush, USMC (April 16, 1945)
HA1 Robert E. Bush, USN (May 2, 1945)
Major Henry A. Courtney, Jr., USMC (May 14-15, 1945) †
Pfc Clarence B. Craft, U.S. Army (May 31, 1945)
Cpl James L. Day (May 14-17, 1945)
Pfc Desmond T. Doss, U.S. Army (April 29, 1945-May 21, 1945)
Cpl John P. Fardy, USMC (May 7, 1945) †
Pfc William A. Foste, USMC (May 2, 1945) †
Pfc Harold Gonsalves, USMC (April 15, 1945) †
PHM2 William D. Halyburton, Jr., USN (May 10, 1945) †
Pfc Alejandro Renteria Ruiz, U.S. Army (April 28. 1945)
PFC Albert Earnest Schwab, USMC (May 7, 1945) †



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