Has a black person won the Medal of Honor?

Of the 3,470 Medals of Honor awarded as of June 2015, 92 have been awarded to 90 different African-American
African-American
In the American Revolution, gaining freedom was the strongest motive for Black enslaved people who joined the Patriot or British armies. It is estimated that 20,000 African Americans joined the British cause, which promised freedom to enslaved people, as Black Loyalists.
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recipients. Robert Augustus Sweeney is one of 19 men, and the only African American, to have been awarded two Medals of Honor.
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What African American won the Medal of Honor?

Sergeant William Carney was the First African American Congressional medal of Honor Recipient in the U.S. Army.
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Who was the first black man to win a Medal of Honor?

William Harvey Carney was the first African American to perform an action for which a Medal of Honor was awarded, but Robert Blake was the first to actually receive the Medal (Blake's was issued in 1864, Carney did not receive his until 1900).
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Which ethnic group has won the most Medal of Honor?

Of the 3,464 Medals of Honor awarded as of September 17, 2009, an estimated 2,021 (58%) have been awarded to Irish-American recipients, more than twice the number awarded any other ethnic group; 257 Irish-born Americans have received the Medal of Honor which represents more than half of foreign-born MOH recipients.
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Has anyone won 2 Medals of Honor?

To date, the maximum number of Medals of Honor earned by any service member has been two. The last living individual to be awarded two Medals of Honor was John J. Kelly October 3, 1918; the last individual to receive two Medals of Honor for two different actions was Smedley Butler, in 1914 and 1915.
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Black Military History Month: Melvin Morris - Medal of Honor Recipient



What is the rarest Medal in the world?

The Victoria Cross is the 'holy grail' for medal collectors because there are only 1,357 in existence. Bearing the inscription 'For valour' and known as a VC, this medal was first awarded for 'conspicuous bravery' in 1856 and later backdated to the Crimean war of 1854.
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How many black Marines have won the Medal of Honor?

Of the 3,498 service members who have received the Medal of Honor throughout U.S. history, only 88 have been black.
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Who is the most famous black soldier?

1. Henry Johnson. The 369th Infantry Regiment, which became known as the “Harlem Hellfighters,” was an all-African American unit in World War I. Aside from seeing more combat than all other U.S. outfits and having a world-famous ragtime band, the Hellfighters were also home to Pvt.
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Has a woman ever got the Medal of Honor?

Out of the nearly 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients, only one was a woman -- just one -- and her medal was actually rescinded just before she died. In honor of Women's History Month, we're looking back on the life of that exceptional woman: Dr. Mary Walker, who helped change the face of medicine during the Civil War.
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Did any Buffalo Soldiers receive the Medal of Honor?

They served at a variety of posts in the Southwest and Great Plains, taking part in most of the military campaigns during the decades-long Indian Wars –– during which they compiled a distinguished record, with 18 Buffalo Soldiers awarded the Medal of Honor.
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How many blacks received the Medal of Honor in Vietnam?

In Vietnam, more than 300,000 African American troops served, and 7,243 died. Just 22 received the Medal of Honor.
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What are three black graduates of West Point?

Only three African Americans graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point during the 19th century. This uniform belonged to 2nd Lt. John Hanks Alexander who in 1887 became the second African American to graduate from West Point. Lt.
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Breadcrumb
  • Home.
  • Stories.
  • John Hanks Alexander, West Point Graduate.
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How many black generals are in the military?

In May 2020, there were 19 Black one-star generals in the Army, 15 two-stars, eight three-stars and one four-star, according to Defense Department data. Compare that with white Army generals: 107 one-stars, 90 two-stars, 37 three-stars and 11 four-stars.
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Who was the highest ranking black officer in the Civil War?

Augusta (1825-1890) Alexander Thomas Augusta was the highest-ranking black officer in the Union Army during the Civil War. He was also the first African American head of a hospital (Freedmen's Hospital) and the first black professor of medicine (Howard University in Washington, D.C.).
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Who was the first black colonel?

Charles Young was born into slavery in a two-room log cabin in Mays Lick, Ky., on March 12, 1864. His father Gabriel later fled to freedom and in 1865 enlisted as a private in the 5th Regiment, U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery.
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Who is the most decorated soldier?

Audie Murphy (1924–1971) was the most decorated soldier in US history, winning 24 medals from the Congressional Medal of Honor down. His exploits were the subject of To Hell and Back (USA, 1956), in which he starred as himself.
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What is the hardest medal to get?

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that may be awarded by the United States government.
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DESCRIPTION OF MEDALS
  • While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States;
  • While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or.
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What is the hardest award to win?

The Triple Crown of Acting is a term used in the American entertainment industry to describe actors who have won a competitive Academy Award, Emmy Award, and Tony Award in the acting categories, the highest accolades recognized in American film, television, and theater, respectively.
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Has anyone refused the Medal of Honor?

Harry S.

Truman blocked an effort by the House of Representatives to award him the Presidential Medal of Honor in 1971. President Truman famously said he would rather get the Medal of Honor, a military honor, than be president. But in 1971, he blocked an attempt by the House of Representatives to give him the medal.
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Who is the youngest Medal of Honor winner?

Jack Lucas was 17 when he became the youngest Medal of Honor recipient since the Civil War after jumping onto two grenades to save his fellow Marines.
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Do generals salute Medal of Honor winners?

Military tradition dictates all uniformed service members salute to Medal-of-Honor awardees regardless of rank. Even the most-senior military officer will participate in this tradition out of respect for the sacrifices the awardees made.
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What percentage of U.S. soldiers in Vietnam were black?

The Vietnam War saw the highest proportion of African-American soldiers in the US military up to that point. Though comprising 11% of the US population in 1967, African Americans were 16.3% of all draftees.
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Who was the first Black Army 4 star general?

General Roscoe Robinson was the First African American four-star general in the U.S. Army.
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