Medal of Honor Recipient Articles

Medal of Honor: Lance P. Sijan – Vietnam War – November 9, 1967

Alone, wounded, and hunted in the jungles of North Vietnam, one American refused to yield. Captain Lance P. Sijan endured six weeks of agony, captivity, and torture — but never broke faith, never gave in, and never stopped believing in freedom.

MOH

Medal of Honor: William E. Metzger Jr. – World War II (Air Mission) – November 9, 1944

Over Germany’s skies, Lieutenants Donald J. Gott and William E. Metzger Jr. refused to abandon a wounded crewmate. Guiding their burning B-17 to friendly lines, they died ensuring others lived—a final act of courage and loyalty.

MOH

Medal of Honor: Henry Gurke – World War II – November 9, 1943

In the steaming jungles of Bougainville, one Marine made the ultimate choice — his life for his comrade’s. Private First Class Henry Gurke smothered a grenade with his body so that another man could keep fighting.

MOH

Medal of Honor: Donald J. Gott – World War II (Air Mission) – November 9, 1944

Engulfed in flames over Germany, one bomber crew faced a choice between survival and sacrifice. First Lieutenant Donald J. Gott chose to die at the controls so that one wounded man might live.

MOH

Medal of Honor: Ludovicus M. M. Van Iersel – World War I – November 9, 1918

In the final days of the Great War, Sergeant Ludovicus M. M. Van Iersel braved gunfire and a shattered bridge, crawling through darkness across a deadly river to uncover the truth that turned the tide of battle.

MOH

Medal of Honor: Harold I. Johnston – World War I – November 9, 1918

When others hesitated before the icy waters of the Meuse, one soldier dove in. Sergeant Harold I. Johnston swam through enemy fire to gather vital intelligence—and returned to tell the tale.

MOH

Medal of Honor: David B. Barkeley – World War I – November 9, 1918

When volunteers were needed to cross a deadly river under fire, one soldier didn’t hesitate. Private David B. Barkeley swam the Meuse to gather intelligence — and never made it back.