List of Irish-American Medal of Honor recipients explained

The following is a list of Irish-American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who were awarded the American military's highest decoration — the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is bestowed "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, in actual combat against an armed enemy force." The medal is awarded by the President of the United States on behalf of the Congress.

Of the 3,464 Medals of Honor awarded as of September 17, 2009,^[1] an estimated 2,021 (58%) have been awarded to Irish-American recipients, more than twice the number awarded any other ethnic group;^[2] ^[3] 257 Irish-born Americans have received the Medal of Honor^[4] ^[5] which represents more than half of foreign-born MOH recipients.^[6] A monument to these Irish-born Medal of Honor recipients is located at Valley Forge's Medal of Honor Grove;^[7] erected by the Ancient Order of Hibernians.^[8] The first Irish American to receive the Medal was Michael Madden, who received it for his actions in the American Civil War (Note that the earliest action for which the Medal of Honor was awarded was to Irish American U.S. Army Assistant Surgeon Bernard J.D. Irwin for the engagement at Apache Pass, February 1861. The award was made three decades after the event and after Madden's award).^[9]

Medal of Honor

See main article: Medal of Honor. 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. Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously.^[10]

Civil War

Name	Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
Christopher C. Bruton	Army	Captain	Company C, 22nd New York Cavalry	Waynesboro, Virginia	March 2, 1865	Awarded March 26, 1865. Citation: Capture of Gen. Early's headquarters flag. Confederate national standard.
	Army	Private		South Mountain, Maryland	September 14, 1862	Single-handed and slightly wounded he accosted a squad of 14 Confederate soldiers bearing the colors of the 16th Georgia Infantry (C.S.A.).
	Navy	Quartermaster		On board and	1863	Served on board USS Crusader and USS Keokuk during various actions of those vessels.
	Army	Sergeant Major		Unknown	–	Gallantry in various actions during the rebellion.^[11]
	Navy	Seaman		Fort Fisher, North Carolina	January 15, 1865	On board USS Minnesota in action during the assault on Fort Fisher, 15 January 1865.
	Army	Surgeon		Petersburg, Virginia	April 2, 1865	Removed severely wounded officers and soldiers from the field while under a heavy fire from the enemy, exposing himself beyond the call of duty, thus furnishing an example of most distinguished gallantry.
	Army	Private	Company E, 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry	Murfreesboro, Tennessee	December 31, 1862 – January 2, 1863	Gallantry in action.^[12]
	Army	E-01Private		Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia		Capture of flag
	Army	E-01Private		Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia		Volunteered on a dangerous service and brought in valuable information.
	Army	Sergeant	Company E, 164th New York Infantry	Second Battle of Petersburg, Virginia		Rescued a wounded comrade who lay exposed to the enemy's fire, receiving a severe wound in the effort.
	Army	E-01Private		Battle of Peachtree Creek, Ga.		Capture of flag of 31st Mississippi (C.S.A.).
	Army	Sergeant		Battle of Vicksburg, Miss.		Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party."
	Army	E-01Private		Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia		Capture of flag, seizing it as his regiment advanced over the enemy's works. He received a bullet wound in the chest while capturing flag.
	Army	Sergeant		Battle of Wilderness		At the risk of his own life went back while the rebels were still firing and, finding Col. Wheelock unable to move, alone and unaided, carried him off the field of battle.
	Army	First Sergeant		Battle of Shepherdstown, Virginia		Voluntarily attempted to spike a gun in the face of the enemy.
	Army	E-01Private		Battle of Fort Blakely, Ala.		Capture of flag.
	Army	Private		Vicksburg, Mississippi	May 22, 1863	Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party."
	Army	Sergeant	82nd New York Infantry	Battle of Gettysburg, Pa.		Captured the flag of the 7th Virginia Infantry (C.S.A.), being twice wounded in the effort.^[13]
	Navy	Coxswain		Aboard		Served on board USS Commodore Hull at the capture of Plymouth, 31 October 1864
	Army	Colonel		Petersburg, Virginia	December 13, 1862	Gallantly led his regiment in battle at a critical moment.
	Army	Second Lieutenant		Williamsburg, Virginia	May 5, 1862	Battle of Williamsburg Took command of the company in action, the captain having been wounded, the other commissioned officers being absent, and handled it with skill and bravery
	Navy	Seaman		Aboard, First Battle of Fort Fisher		Conlan served on board USS Agawam, as one of a volunteer crew of a powder boat which was exploded near Fort Fisher, 23 December 1864.
	Navy	Ordinary Seaman		Fort Fisher, North Carolina	January 15, 1865	On board USS Minnesota, in action during the assault on Fort Fisher, 15 January 1865.
	Army	Private		Battle of Fisher's Hill, Virginia	September 22, 1864	Capture of enemy flag.
	Navy	Coxswain		Mobile Bay, Alabama Mobile, Alabama	August 5, 1864 April 26, 1865	Double MOH recipient
	Army	E-01Private		Third Battle of Petersburg, Virginia		Was one of a detachment of 20 picked artillerymen who voluntarily accompanied an infantry assaulting party, and who turned upon the enemy the guns captured in the assault.^[14]
	Navy	Landman		Vicksburg, Mississippi	May 27, 1863	Served on board USS Cincinnati during the attack on the Vicksburg batteries and at the time of her sinking
	Army	Private		Battle of Fisher's Hill, Virginia	September 22, 1864	Capture of the enemy flag.
	Navy	Chief Quartermaster		Aboard, Battle of Mobile Bay		On board USS Richmond in action at Mobile Bay on 5 August 1864
	Army	Assistant Surgeon		Antietam, Maryland	September 17, 1862	Voluntarily exposed himself to great danger by going to the fighting line there succoring the wounded and helpless and conducting them to the field hospital.
	Army	E-01Private		Jefferson, Virginia		At the head of a detachment of his company dashed across an open field, exposed to a deadly fire from the enemy, and succeeded in dislodging them from an unoccupied house, which he and his comrades defended for several hours against repeated attacks, thus preventing the enemy from flanking the position of the Union forces.
	Navy	Landsman		Aboard, Battle of Mobile Bay		As a landsman on board USS Lackawanna, Dougherty acted gallantly without orders when the powder box at his gun was disabled under the heavy enemy fire, and maintained a supply of powder throughout the prolonged action. Dougherty also aided in the attacks on Fort Morgan and in the capture of the prize ram Tennessee.
	Army	First Sergeant		Wilderness, Virginia	May 6, 1864	During a rout and while under orders to retreat seized the colors, rallied the men, and drove the enemy back.
	Army	E-01Private		Williamsburg, Virginia	and	At Williamsburg, Virginia, assisted in driving rebel skirmishers to their main line. Participated in action, at Fair Oaks, Virginia, though excused from duty because of disability. In a charge with his company at Big Shanty, Georgia, was the first man on the enemy's works.
	Navy	Coxswain		Aboard, Battle of Mobile Bay		As captain of the No. 1 gun on board the flagship USS Hartford, during action against rebel gunboats, the ram Tennessee and Fort Morgan in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864.
	Army	Sergeant		Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia		Gallantry in the charge on the enemy's works: rushing forward with the colors and calling upon the men to follow him; was severely wounded.
	Army	E-01Private		Nolensville, Tenn.		Was one of a detachment of 16 men who heroically defended a wagon train against the attack of 125 cavalry, repulsed the attack and saved the train.
	Army	E-04Corporal	14th Connecticut Infantry	Battle of Gettysburg, Pa.		Capture of flag of 52d North Carolina Infantry (C.S.A.).
	Army	Sergeant		Battle of Vicksburg, Miss.		Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party."
	Navy	Landman		Plymouth, North Carolina	October 31, 1864	"[D]istinguished himself by a display of coolness when he participated in landing and spiking a 9-inch gun while under a devastating fire from enemy musketry."
	Army	Captain		Fort Harrison, Virginia	September 29, 1864	While acting as an aide and carrying an important message, was severely wounded and his horse killed but delivered the order and rejoined his general.
	Marine Corps	Sergeant		Mobile Bay, Alabama	August 5, 1864	On board USS Brooklyn during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864
	Army	Captain		Moorefield, West Virginia	August 7, 1864	After being most desperately wounded, he captured the colors of the 8th Virginia Cavalry (C.S.A.).
	Army	O-01Second Lieutenant		Gettysburg, Pennsylvania		Held his ground with the battery after the other batteries had fallen back until compelled to draw his piece off by hand; he was severely wounded.^[15]
	Navy	Seaman		Yazoo City, Mississippi	March 5, 1864	Served on board USS Marmora off Yazoo City, Mississippi, 5 March 1864. Landed ashore with his howitzer gun and crew in the midst of battle and contributed to the turning back of the enemy.
	Navy	Captain of the Forecastle		Mobile Bay, Alabama	December 30, 1862	On board USS Rhode Island which was engaged in rescuing men from the stricken Monitor in Mobile Bay, on 30 December 1862.
	Army	Captain	13th Vermont Infantry	Gettysburg, Pennsylvania	July 2, 1863	Gallantry in the recapture of four guns and the capture of two additional guns from the enemy; also the capture of a number of prisoners.
	Army	Private		Mason's Island, Maryland	September 3, 1861	Assisted a wounded comrade to the riverbank and, under heavy fire of the enemy, swam with him across a branch of the Potomac to the Union lines.
	Army	Private		Battle of Hatcher's Run, Virginia	April 2, 1865	Capture of flag of 8th Mississippi Infantry (C.S.A.)
	Marine Corps	Sergeant		Mobile Bay, Alabama	August 5, 1864	Despite damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks, Sgt. Martin fought his gun with skill and courage throughout the furious two-hour battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan.
	Army	E-04Corporal		Salem Heights, Virginia		Went 250 yards in front of his regiment toward the position of the enemy and under fire brought within the lines a wounded and unconscious comrade.^[16]
	Army	Second Lieutenant		Spotsylvania County, Virginia	May 12, 1864	In a hand-to-hand encounter with the enemy captured a flag, was wounded in the act, but continued on duty until he received a second wound.
	Army	Sergeant		Winchester, Virginia	September 19, 1864	Capture of colors of 36th Virginia Infantry (C.S.A.).
	Navy	Seaman		Aboard, Operations against Vicksburg		Serving on board USS Cincinnati during the attack on the Vicksburg batteries and at the time of her sinking, 27 May 1863.^[17]
	Navy	Ordinary Seaman		Harrisonburg, Louisiana	March 2, 1864	Served on board USS Fort Hindman during the engagement near Harrisonburg, Louisiana, 2 March 1864.
	Army	E-04Corporal		Second Battle of Petersburg, Virginia		Recapture of colors of 7th New York Heavy Artillery.
	Navy	Coxswain		On board	July 15, 1862	Serving as coxswain on board USS Carondelet, Morrison was commended for meritorious conduct in general and especially for his heroic conduct and his inspiring example to the crew in the engagement with the rebel ram Arkansas, Yazoo River, 15 July 1862.
	Army	Major		Chancellorsville, Virginia	May 4–5, 1863	In command of the picket line held the enemy in check all night to cover the retreat of the Army.
	Army	Sergeant		Corinth, Mississippi	October 3, 1862	Although wounded three times, carried the colors throughout the conflict.
	Army	Lieutenant Colonel		Battle of North Anna, Virginia	May 24, 1864	This officer, commanding the regiment, kept it on the field exposed to the fire of the enemy for three hours without being able to fire one shot in return because of the ammunition being exhausted.
	Marine Corps	Sergeant		On board	June 15, 1863	For his actions while serving on board USS Fort Henry, Crystal River, Florida, 15 June 1863.
	Army	Captain		Battle of Seven Pines, Virginia	May 31-June 1, 1862	Gallantly maintained the line of battle until ordered to fall back.
	Army	E-04Corporal		Battle of Gettysburg, Pa.		Taking up the colors where they had fallen, he rushed ahead of his regiment, close to the muzzles of the enemy's guns, and engaged in the desperate struggle in which the enemy was defeated, and though severely wounded, he held the colors until wounded a second time.
	Navy	Coxswain		Aboard the		Served as coxswain on board the U.S. Sloop John Adams, Sullvan's Island Channel, 28 November 1864. Taking part in the boarding of the blockade runner Beatrice while under heavy enemy fire from Fort Moultrie, O'Brien, who was in charge of one of the boarding launches, carried out his duties with prompt and energetic conduct. This action resulted in the firing of the Beatrice and the capture of a quantity of supplies from her.
	Army	E-01Private		Battle of Waynesboro, Virginia		Capture of flag and of a Confederate officer with his horse and equipment
	Navy		Coal Heaver	Aboard the, Battle of Mobile Bay		On board the flagship USS Hartford, during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay on 5 August 1864.
	Army	E-01Private		Unknown	Unknown	Date and place of act not of record in War Department.
	Army	Private		Vicksburg, Mississippi	May 22, 1863	Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party"
	Army	O-02First Lieutenant		Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi and Fort DeRussey, La.	and	Voluntarily joined the color guard in the assault on the enemy's works when he saw indications of wavering and caused the colors of his regiment to be planted on the parapet. Voluntarily placed himself in the ranks of an assaulting column (being then on staff duty) and rode with it into the enemy's works, being the only mounted officer present, was twice wounded in battle.
	Navy	Seaman		Aboard, Red River Campaign		Served as boatswain's mate on board USS Signal, Red River, 5 May 1864.
	Army	E-04Corporal		Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia		Took up the colors from the hands of the color bearer who had been shot down and bore them through the remainder of the battle.
	Army	Private		Fairfield, Pennsylvania	July 3, 1863	Seized the regimental flag upon the death of the standard bearer in a hand-to-hand fight and prevented it from falling into the hands of the enemy.
	Army	Sergeant		Fredericksburg, Virginia	December 11, 1862	Seized the colors of his regiment, the color bearer having been shot down, and bore them to the front where both his arms were carried off by a shell.
	Army	Major		Savage's Station, Virginia	June 29, 1862	Led his regiment on the enemy's battery, silenced the guns, held the position against overwhelming numbers, and covered the retreat of the 2d Army Corps.
	Marine Corps	Corporal		Fort Fisher, North Carolina	January 15, 1865	On board USS Minnesota in the assault on Fort Fisher, 15 January 1865.
	Army	Private		Winchester, Virginia	September 19, 1864	Capture of Virginia State flag.
	Marine Corps	Sergeant		Mobile Bay, Alabama	August 5, 1864	On board USS Oneida during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864.
	Army	Private		Winchester, Virginia	September 19, 1864	With one companion, captured 14 Confederates in the severest part of the battle.
	Navy	Coxswain		St. Marks, Florida	March 5–6, 1865
	Army	Colonel		Chancellorsville, Virginia	May 3, 1863	For assuming command of the brigade, rallying the troops, and remaining in command though wounded.
	Navy	Quartermaster		On board	January 15, 1865	Served as second quartermaster on board USS Kearsarge when she destroyed off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864.
	Navy	Ordinary Seaman		Battle of Fort Fisher, North Carolina		On board USS Agawam as one of a volunteer crew of a powder boat which was exploded near Fort Fisher, 2 December 1864.
	Navy	Seaman		USS Monticello	–	Served as seaman on board USS Monticello during the reconnaissance of the harbor and water defenses of Wilmington, North Carolina 23 to 25 June 1864.
	Navy	Coxswain		USS Louisville	Various	Served on board USS Louisville during various actions of that vessel. During the engagements of Louisville, Sullivan served as first captain of a 9-inch gun and throughout his period of service was "especially commended for his attention to duty, bravery, and coolness in action."
	Army	First Lieutenant		Malvern Hill, Virginia	July 1, 1862	Voluntarily took command of the 9th Massachusetts while adjutant, bravely fighting from 3 p.m. until dusk, rallying and re-forming the regiment under fire; twice picked up the regimental flag, the color bearer having been shot down, and placed it in worthy hands.
	Army	Corporal		Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia	October 19, 1864	Recaptured the flag of the 15th New Jersey Infantry.
	Army	Chief Bugler		Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia	October 19, 1864	Capture of colors of 44th Georgia Infantry (C.S.A.).
	Army	Private		Vicksburg, Mississippi	May 22, 1863	Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party."
	Army	E-01Private		Battle of the Crater, Petersburg, Virginia		Bore off the regimental colors after the color sergeant had been wounded and the color corporal bearing the colors killed thereby saving the colors from capture.
	Army	Captain		Vicksburg, Mississippi	May 22, 1863	Carried with others by hand a cannon up to and fired it through an embrasure of the enemy's works.

Indian Wars

Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
Army		Company A, 1st U.S. Cavalry	Sycamore Canyon, Arizona		Conspicuous gallantry in a charge upon the Tonto Apaches.
Army	Private		Big Horn, Montana	July 9, 1876
Army		Company C, 9th U.S. Cavalry	Mimbres Mountains, N. Mex. and Cuchillo Negro River near Ojo Caliente, New Mexico	and	Bravery in action.
Army		Company F, 4th U.S. Cavalry	Red River, Texas		"Gallantry in action."
Army		Company G, 6th U.S. Cavalry	Simon Valley, Arizona		Engaged singlehanded 2 renegade Indians until his horse was shot under him and then pursued them so long as he was able.
Army		Company B, 8th U.S. Cavalry	Arizona		Bravery in scouts and actions against Indians.
Army		Company F, 5th U.S. Cavalry	Davidson Canyon near Camp Crittenden, Arizona		In command of a detachment of 4 men defeated a superior force.
Army		Company B, 8th U.S. Cavalry	Arizona		Bravery in scouts and actions against Indians.
Army		Company G, 5th U.S. Infantry	Cedar Creek, etc., Montana	–	Gallantry in engagements.
Army	Captain	Company C, 5th U.S. Infantry	Wolf Mountains, Montana	January 8, 1877	Most distinguished gallantry in action with hostile Indians.
Army	Sergeant	Company G, 5th U.S. Infantry	Cedar Creek, Montana	October 1876 – January 1877	Gallantry in engagements.
Army	Private	Company B, 7th US Cavalry	Little Bighorn, Montana	June 25–26, 1876	Displayed conspicuously good conduct in assisting to drive away the Indians Surname misspelled "Callen" on citation
Army	Corporal		Near Wichita River, Texas	July 12, 1870
Army	Private		Big Horn, Montana	July 9, 1876
Army	Private		Arizona Territory	August – October 1868
Army	Sergeant		Near Plum Creek, Kansas	March 1868
Army	Sergeant		Near Platte River, Nebraska	April 26, 1872
Army	Private		Arizona Territory	August – October 1868
Army	Sergeant		Arizona Territory	August – October 1868
Army	First Sergeant		Cedar Creek, Montana Bear Paw Mountains, Montana	October 1876 – January 8, 1877 September 30, 1877	Double MOH recipient
Army	Assistant Surgeon		Apache Pass, Arizona	February 13–14, 1861
Army	Private		Arizona Territory	August – October 1868
Army	Sergeant		Little Blue, Nebraska	May 15, 1870
Army	Corporal		Near Fort Hartsuff, Nebraska	April 26, 1876
Army		Company A, 5th U.S. Infantry	Cedar Creek, etc., Montana	–	"Gallantry in action"
Army		Red River, Texas		Company F, 4th US Cavalry	"Gallantry in action."
Army	Private		Whetstone Mountains, Arizona	July 13, 1872
Army	Farrier		White Clay Creek, South Dakota	December 30, 1890
Army	Private			Winter of 1872/1873
Army	Private		Staked Plains, Texas	December 8, 1874
Army	First Lieutenant		White Bird Canyon, Idaho	June 17, 1877
Army	Sergeant		Big Hole, Montana	August 9, 1877
Army		Company D, 5th US Infantry	Cedar Creek, etc., Montana	–	"Gallantry in action."
Army		Company G, 5th US Infantry	Cedar Creek, etc., Montana	–	"Gallantry in action."
Army		Company I, 6th US Cavalry	Gageby Creek, Indian Territory		Courage while in command of a detachment.
Army		Company E, 7th US Cavalry	Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota		Conspicuous bravery in action against Indians concealed in a ravine.
Army		Company A, 5th US Cavalry	Near Sunset Pass, Arizona		Bravery in rescuing Lt. King, 5th U.S. Cavalry, from Indians.
Army	Private		Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona	October 20, 1869	Born as Henry G. Nabers

Korean Expedition

Service	Rank	Place of action	Date of action
Marine Corps	Private	On board
Marine Corps	Private	Korea
Navy	Chief Quartermaster	On board	–
Marine Corps	Private	On board USS Benicia

Spanish–American War

Service	Rank	Place of action	Notes
Army		Battle of Tayacoba, Cuba	Voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades; this after several previous attempts at rescue had been frustrated.
Navy	Chief Gunner's Mate	Cardenas, Cuba
Navy	Fireman First Class	Bahamas
Navy	Chief Machinist	Cardenas, Cuba
Army	Corporal	Santiago de Cuba
Marine Corps	Private	Cuzco, Cuba
Marine Corps	Sergeant	Cienfuegos, Cuba
Navy	Oiler	Cienfuegos, Cuba
Marine Corps	Private	Cienfuegos, Cuba
Army	Private	Santiago de Cuba
Navy	Fireman Second Class	Cienfuegos, Cuba
Navy	Chief Master-at-arms	Santiago de Cuba
Navy	Coxswain	Santiago de Cuba
Marine Corps	Corporal	Cienfuegos, Cuba

Philippine-American War

Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
Army		6th U.S. Infantry	Bobong, Negros		Rallied his men on the bridge after the line had been broken and pushed back.
Army	Private	Company A, 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers	Luzon, Philippines		"Distinguished gallantry in action in driving off a superior force and with the assistance of 1 comrade brought from the field of action the bodies of 2 comrades, 1 killed and the other severely wounded, this while on a scout."
Marine Corps	Corporal		Luzon, Philippines	– and	"For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battle"
Navy	Chief Boatswain's Mate		Philippines

Boxer Rebellion

Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
Marine Corps	Private		Tientsin, China
Marine Corps	Private	15th Company of Marines	Peking, China		Double MOH recipient
Marine Corps					"[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct"
Marine Corps	Private		Beijing, China	–
Navy	Landman		China	–

World War I

Service	Rank	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
Army	E-05Sergeant			Rescued six wounded men despite intense fire
Army	O-05Lieutenant Colonel		–	Exposed himself to fire in order to lead and organize his men, remained with them after being wounded^[18]
Army	E-05Sergeant			Continued to lead an attack despite being repeatedly wounded
Army	E-02Private First Class			Singly-handedly attacked and captured a pillbox^[19]
Army	Major	Apremont, France

World War II

Name	Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
	Army			Nuremberg, Germany		Also known as Francis X. Burke.
	Navy			Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Savo Island	–	^[20]
<	-- born in Scotland -->	Army			near Favoratta, Sicily		^[21]
	Army			Nuremberg, Germany
	Army			near Altavilla, Italy		^[22]
	Marine Corps Reserve	O-03Captain	04-24-022nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division	Iwo Jima		Risked his life to eliminate several enemy troops so his men could move forward
	Army Air Forces	Major		over Luzon, Philippine Islands	–	The second leading air ace in World War II before being killed in action in January 1945. McGuire Air Force Base is named for him.
	Army			near Holtzwihr, France		Highest number of decorations for US combatant.
	Army			Saipan, Marianas Islands	–
	Navy	Commander		near Kobe, Japan		Chaplain aboard aircraft carrier .
	Navy	Lieutenant		off Papua New Guinea		O'Hare International Airport in Chicago was named in his memory.
	Navy	Commander	Charles Shea (see the Wikipedia entry in his name	Philippine Islands	–	For submarine operations against two Japanese convoys.^[23]
	Marine Corps			Solomon Islands area	and

Korean War

Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Notes
Navy	O-02Lieutenant, Junior Grade	Fighter Squadron 32, attached to	Battle of Chosin Reservoir, Korea	Risked his life to rescue a downed pilot
USMCR	O-01Second Lieutenant	Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.)	Korea	Although wounded he refused medical care to fight the enemy until all his men and casualties had been taken care of.
USMCR	O-01Second Lieutenant	Company H, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.)	Korea	Provided cover and care for wounded while his unit was attacking the enemy

Vietnam War

Name	Service	Unit	Place of action	Notes
	Army		Chu Lai—South Vietnamnear Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam	Flew multiple missions against heavy fire to evacuate 51 wounded men^[24]
	Army		Nam Dong—South Vietnamnear Nam Dong, Republic of Vietnam	Rescued and administered first aid to several wounded soldiers and led a group to defeat an enemy force causing them to retreat leaving behind 54 of their dead, many weapons, and grenades.
	Army		Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam	Although wounded he directed fire onto enemy positions and rescued several wounded soldiers
	Army		Quan Dau Tieng—South Vietnamnear Quan Dau Tieng, Republic of Vietnam	Despite his painful wounds he refused medical aid and persevered in the forefront of the attack on the enemy redoubt. He led the assault on several enemy gun emplacements and, single-handedly, destroyed three such positions.
	Navy		Ong Muong Canal, Kien Hoa Province, Republic of Vietnam	Successfully relayed commands through one of his men until an enemy attack was silenced and the boats he was leading were able to move to safety
James McCloughan	Army	United States Army	Battle of Nui Yon Hill, Vietnam	He suffered wounds from shrapnel and small arms fire on three separate occasions, but refused medical evacuation to stay with his unit, and continued to brave enemy fire to rescue, treat, and defend wounded Americans, coming to the aid of his men and fighting the enemy, at one point knocking out an enemy RPG position with a grenade. In all, the Pentagon credits McCloughan with saving the lives of 10 members of his company.^[25]
	Army		Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam	While attempting to rescue three wounded soldiers despite heavy enemy fire, he was able to carry two of the men to safety but was killed while trying to rescue the third.
	Army		Polei Doc, Republic of Vietnam	Despite being wounded after his unit was attacked, he assumed command of the unit when the company commander was killed, organized the defense, and helped arrange a helicopter evacuation of the wounded. He refused his own medical evacuation and instead stayed with the company until a new commander arrived.
	Marine Corps		near Vandergrift Combat Base, A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam	Killed while attempting to rescue a wounded man
	Marine Corps	Company I, 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines	An Cu'ong—South Vietnamnear An Cu'ong 2, South Vietnam	Risked his life and led his men to repeatedly attack the enemy, assist another Marine unit that had inflicted heavy casualties and led his unit to a helicopter for evacuation.
	Army		Quảng Trị Province, Republic of Vietnam	Killed by enemy gunfire after assisting in the defeat of an attacking enemy force
	Air Force		North Vietnam	For actions while as a prisoner of war
	Navy		Quảng Trị Province, Republic of Vietnam	Saved the life of his superior officer and allowed the other members of his patrol to escape

War in Afghanistan

War in Iraq

Image	Name	Service	Rank	Unit	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
		Army		Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd "Dagger" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division	Baghdad, Iraq		McGinnis threw himself on enemy grenade to save his team.
		Navy		SEAL, Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3	Ramadi, Iraq		Monsoor threw himself on enemy grenade to save his team.

Peacetime

Service	Rank	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
Navy	Watertender	On board	July 1, 1897
Navy	Seaman	On board	March 31, 1901
Navy		, San Diego, California		For extraordinary heroism when boiler exploded on ship.
Navy		, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania		For rescuing from drowning a landsman of USS Hartford
Navy	Boatswain's Mate	On board	February 7, 1882
Navy		, off Honolulu, Hawaii		For rescuing a fellow diver who had become tangled in the wreckage and trapped underwater
Navy		, San Diego, California		Bravery shown during ship's boiler explosion
Navy	Seaman	Shanghai, China	January 23, 1875
Navy	Boatswain's Mate	Le Havre, France	October 26, 1878
Navy	Boilermaker	On board	January 25, 1905
Navy	Ordinary Seaman	On board	September 7, 1871
Navy	Watertender	On board On board	May 29, 1901 September 13, 1909	Double MOH recipient
Navy	Landman	Port Mahon, Menorca	March 13, 1879
Navy	Boatswain's Mate	Greytown, Nicaragua	April 12, 1872
Navy	Ordinary Seaman	Coquimbo, Chile	July 30, 1873
Navy	Chief Watertender	On board	September 8, 1910
Navy	Seaman	Pará, Brazil	October 1, 1878
Navy	Chief Machinist's Mate	On board	September 8, 1910
Navy	Ship's Corporal	On board	November 16, 1879
Navy	Seaman	On board	August 26, 1881

External links

McGrath, Larry . October–November 2004 . The Irish and the Medal of Honor . Irish-America Magazine . FSOS.com . 16 October 2012.
Medal of Honor Recipients (Irish Born)

Notes and References

Web site: Frequently Asked Questions . Medal of Honor . United States Navy . September 9, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120605001140/http://www.navy.mil/moh/faq.html . June 5, 2012 .
News: America's Irish honor St. Patrick . Associated Press . . March 17, 1987 . October 10, 2012.
Riehecky, Janet. Cultures of America: Irish Americans. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 1995. (p. 68)
[United States Congress]
O'Hanlon, Ray. The New Irish Americans. Niwot, Colorado: Roberts Rinehart Publishers, 1998. (p. 77)
Fox, Thomas. Hidden History of the Irish of New Jersey. Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press, 2011. (pp. 110–116)
Barnes, John A. Irish-American Landmarks: A Traveler's Guide. 9th ed. New York: Gale Research, 1995. (p. 167)
Web site: Medal of Honor Grove. www.freedomsfoundation.org. 2017-08-02.
News: First Medal of Honor action – Feb 13, 1861. History.com. 2017-08-02.
Web site: February 9, 2010 . A Brief History — The Medal of Honor . Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) . Department of Defense . August 8, 2006 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090519025114/http://www.defenselink.mil/faq/pis/med_of_honor.html . May 19, 2009.
Hurley, Doran. "Medal of Honor Men of Irish Birth or Irish Ancestry in United States Army and Navy". The Journal of the American-Irish Historical Society. Vol. XXXII. New York: The Society, 1941. (pp. 57–73)
Limon, Jose E. Dancing With The Devil: Society And Cultural Poetics In Mexican-American South Texas. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1994. (p. 26)
Hanna, Charles. Gettysburg Medal of Honor Recipients. Springville, Utah: Bonneville Books, 2010. (pp. 49–50, 87–89, 173–174)
Molloy, Scott. Irish Titan, Irish Toilers: Joseph Banigan and Nineteenth-century New England Labor. Lebanon, New Hampshire: University of New Hampshire Press, 2008. (p. 75)
Bayor, Ronald H. and Timothy Meagher, eds. The New York Irish. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1997. (pp. 186–187)
Bruce, Susannah Ural. The Harp and the Eagle: Irish-American Volunteers and the Union Army, 1861–1865. New York: New York University Press, 2006. (p. 74)
News: Civil War hero's grave unmarked no more . Moss, Tracy . . April 20, 2012 . October 10, 2012.
Willbanks, James H., ed. America's Heroes: Medal of Honor Recipients from the Civil War to Afghanistan. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO, 2011. (pp. 85, 249)
H. O'Connor, Thomas. South Boston, My Home Town: The History of an Ethnic Neighborhood. Boston: Northeastern University Press, 1994. (p. 161)
Garvey, John and Karen Hanning. Images of America: Irish San Francisco. Arcadia Publishing, 2008. (p. 66)
News: William Craig: Father Of War Hero Honored By Bridge . . September 3, 1968 . October 10, 2012.
News: Heroes Kelly, Childers Return; Bravery Recounted By Modest Infantryman . Associated Press . . April 24, 1944 . October 10, 2012.
Tuohy, William. The Bravest Man: Richard O'Kane and the Amazing Submarine Adventures of the USS Tang. New York: Presidio Press, 2006. (p. 125)
Keane, John F. Images of America: Irish Seattle. Arcadia Publishing, 2007. (p. 81)
Web site: Michigan Vietnam vet is Trump's 1st Medal of Honor recipient. . 13 June 2017.