Medal of Honor Recipient Articles

Medal of Honor: Peter Tomich – World War II – December 7, 1941

As USS Utah rolled under the force of torpedoes and bombs, one chief water tender stayed below refusing to leave the engineering spaces until every man under him was clear, sacrificing his life so others could escape.

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Medal of Honor: Robert R. Scott – World War II – December 7, 1941

As USS California flooded from torpedo strikes, one sailor refused to abandon his air-compressor station — choosing to remain alone in a compartment filling with water so the ship’s guns could keep firing.

MOH

Medal of Honor: Donald Kirby Ross – World War II – December 7, 1941

Deep in USS Nevada’s dynamo rooms, one machinist ordered his men to safety, then stayed behind alone — fighting heat, steam, smoke, and exhaustion until he collapsed twice, returning each time to keep the ship’s power alive under fire.

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Medal of Honor: Thomas James Reeves – World War II – December 7, 1941

When USS California’s ammunition hoists failed under fire, one warrant officer carried shells by hand through burning passageways — continuing until smoke and flames overcame him, giving his life to keep the ship’s guns firing.

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Medal of Honor: Jackson Charles Pharris – World War II – December 7, 1941

Trapped deep inside USS California as torpedoes tore open her hull, one officer fought through oil fumes, flooding compartments, and his own injuries , organizing ammunition supply, saving shipmates from drowning, and keeping his battleship in the fight.

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Medal of Honor: Isaac Campbell Kidd – World War II – December 7, 1941

As bombs and torpedoes tore into Battleship Row, one admiral climbed to the bridge of USS Arizona and remained at his post, commanding the battle until a magazine explosion destroyed the ship beneath him.

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Medal of Honor: Herbert Charpoit Jones – World War II – December 7, 1941

On the burning decks of USS California, a young ensign led an ammunition team by hand after the hoists failed — and when mortally wounded, he ordered his men to leave him behind so they might live.