Medal of Honor Recipient Articles

Medal of Honor: Samuel Glenn Fuqua – World War II – December 7, 1941

After a bomb hit USS Arizona, one officer took command amid fire and chaos, saving wounded men and leading the evacuation before leaving last.

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Medal of Honor: Francis C. Flaherty – World War II – December 7, 1941

As USS Oklahoma rolled over at Pearl Harbor, one young ensign refused to leave his turret, holding a flashlight to guide his crew to safety — choosing to remain behind in the darkness so others could escape.

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Medal of Honor: John W. Finn – World War II – December 7, 1941

In the first moments of Pearl Harbor, a chief petty officer seized a .50-caliber gun and stood his ground under relentless strafing—fighting on through multiple wounds until ordered away.

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Medal of Honor: George H. Cannon – World War II – December 7, 1941

Mortally wounded during the Japanese bombardment of Midway, one Marine officer refused evacuation and continued commanding his battery — insisting his wounded Marines be removed first and reorganizing his post until he collapsed from blood loss.

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Medal of Honor: John D. Bulkeley – World War II – December 7, 1941 to April 10, 1942

For four months in the Philippines, a PT boat commander fought overwhelming Japanese forces with a tiny squadron until he was ordered to evacuate General MacArthur.

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Medal of Honor: Mervyn S. Bennion – World War II – December 7, 1941

Mortally wounded on the bridge of USS West Virginia during the attack on Pearl Harbor, one captain refused evacuation — choosing instead to remain at his post, directing the fight to save his ship until his strength failed.

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Medal of Honor: William A. McWhorter – World War II – December 5, 1944

Pinned in a defensive position during a fierce Japanese attack on Leyte, one machine gunner saw a live demolition charge land at his feet — and chose to shield his assistant with his own body, giving his life to save another.