U.S. Army Special Operations Recipients of the Medal of Honor

Summary

The legacy of Army Special Operations has been forged across many battlefields and conflict zones by the deeds of courageous warriors. The actions of the Army Special Operations Medal of Honor recipients described in this site represent the strength and fierce resolve that are central elements of our legacy. These Soldiers and their actions must be remembered and memorialized; they are exemplars for today’s ARSOF Soldier.

The pages of this site reveal the courage demonstrated by each of our Medal of Honor recipients and the overwhelming challenges they faced. This is our tribute to the Soldiers that helped forge the legacy we honor, preserve, and build upon today.

Sine Pari – Without Equal.

Criteria for Inclusion

Medal of Honor recipients included in this publication were members of the Army Special Operations community and served in SOF units at the time of the action for which they received the award. Biographies were compiled from historical documents and official personnel service records. Despite efforts to develop standardized, comprehensive biographies of each recipient, missing information in individual service records resulted in some gaps. Terminology is consistent with what was in use during soldiers’ careers. Citations are published verbatim from the official General Orders that promulgated the award.

Learn more about the Medal of Honor

RECIPIENTS

SFC Christopher Celiz

SFC Christopher Celiz

Rangers
Afghanistan
12 July 2018
SFC Thomas P. Payne

SFC Thomas Payne

USASOC
Iraq
22 October 2015
SSG Earl Plumlee

SSG Earl Plumlee

Special Forces
Afghanistan
28 August 2013
SSG Leroy A. Petry

SSG Leroy Petry

Rangers
Afghanistan
26 May 2008
SGT Matthew O. Williams

SGT Matthew Williams

Special Forces
Afghanistan
6 April 2008
SSG Ronald J. Shurer II

SSG Ronald Shurer II

Special Forces
Afghanistan
6 April 2008
SSG Robert J. Miller

SSG Robert Miller

Special Forces
Afghanistan
25 January 2008
SFC Randall D. Shughart

SFC Randall Shughart

Special Forces
Somalia
3 October 1993
MSG Gary I. Gordon

MSG Gary Gordon

Special Forces
Somalia
3 October 1993
MAJ John Duffy

MAJ John Duffy

Special Forces
Vietnam
14-15 April 1972
1LT Loren D. Hagen (Posthumous)

1LT Loren Hagen

Special Forces
Vietnam
7 August 1971
SSG Jon R. Cavaiani

SSG Jon Cavaiani

Special Forces
Vietnam
4-5 June 1971
SGT Gary M. Rose

SGT Gary Rose

Special Forces
Laos
11-14 September 1970
SFC Gary L. Littrell

SFC Gary Littrell

Rangers
Vietnam
4-8 April 1970
SGT Brian L. Buker (Posthumous)

SGT Brian Buker

Special Forces
Vietnam
5 April 1970
SGT Gary B. Beikirch

SGT Gary Beikirch

Special Forces
Vietnam
1 April 1970
SSG Franklin D. Miller

SSG Franklin Miller

Special Forces
Vietnam
5 January 1970
SSG Robert J. Pruden

SSG Robert Pruden

Rangers
Vietnam
20 November 1969
SSG Melvin Morris

SSG Melvin Morris

Special Forces
Vietnam
17 September 1969
SFC Jose Rodela

SFC Jose Rodela

Special Forces
Vietnam
1 September 1969
SFC William M. Bryant

SFC William Bryant

Special Forces
Vietnam
24 March 1969
SP4 Robert D. Law

SP4 Robert Law

Rangers
Vietnam
22 February 1969
1LT Robert L. Howard

1LT Robert Howard

Special Forces
Vietnam
30 December 1968
SSG Laszlo Rabel

SSG Laszlo Rabel

Rangers
Vietnam
13 November 1968
SP5 John J. Kedenburg

SP5 John Kedenburg

Special Forces
Laos
13 June 1968
SSG Roy P. Benavidez

SSG Roy Benavidez

Special Forces
Vietnam
2 May 1968
SFC Fred W. Zabitosky

SFC Fred Zabitosky

Special Forces
Laos
19 February 1968
SFC Eugene Ashley, Jr.

SFC Eugene Ashley, Jr.

Special Forces
Vietnam
6-7 February 1968
SSG Drew D. Dix

SSG Drew Dix

Special Forces
Vietnam
31 January-
1 February 1968
Sgt Gordon D. Yntema

Sgt Gordon Yntema

Special Forces
Vietnam
16-18 January 1968
MSG Charles E. Hosking, Jr.

MSG Charles Hosking, Jr.

Special Forces
Vietnam
21 March 1967
1LT George K. Sisler

1LT George Sisler

Special Forces
Vietnam
7 February 1967
SFC Bennie G. Adkins

SFC Bennie Adkins

Special Forces
Vietnam
9-12 March 1966
CPT Paris D. Davis

CPT Paris Davis

Special Forces
Vietnam
17-18 July 1965
1LT Charles Q. Williams

1LT Charles Williams

Special Forces
Vietnam
9-10 June 1965
CPT Roger H. C. Donlon

CPT Roger Donlon

Special Forces
Vietnam
6 July 1964
1LT Ralph Puckett, Jr

1LT Ralph Puckett, Jr.

Rangers
North Korea
25-26 November 1950
1LT Jack L. Knight

1LT Jack Knight

Mars Task Force (Rangers)
Burma
2 February 1945