How many black Medal of Honor recipients are there?

Because of the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously. Of the 3,470 Medals of Honor awarded as of June 2015, 92 have been awarded to 90 different African-American recipients. Robert Augustus Sweeney is one of 19 men, and the only African American, to have been awarded two Medals of Honor.

Has a black man ever received a Medal of Honor?

Carney, the first Black Medal of Honor recipient, kept the American flag held high.

Who was the first black Medal of Honor recipient?

We'll start with the first black recipient of the award: Army Sgt. William H. Carney, who earned the honor for protecting one of the United States' greatest symbols during the Civil War -- the American flag. Carney was born into slavery in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1840.

Who was the only living African American to win the Medal of Honor?

On January 13, 1997, President Bill Clinton awarded the Medal to seven African American World War II veterans; of these, only Vernon Baker was still alive.

Did a black man win the Medal of Honor in Vietnam?

On March 18, 2014, Melvin Morris, an African American Vietnam War veteran, was awarded the Medal of Honor following a review which recommended upgrading the Distinguished Service Cross he had originally earned for action in 1969.

Black Military History Month: Melvin Morris - Medal of Honor Recipient

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.

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Out of the nearly 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients, only one was a woman -- just one -- and her medal was actually rescinded just before she died.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.

What are three black graduates of West Point?

Who is the most recent Medal of Honor recipient?

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.

What was the first black regiment?

The 54th Massachusetts Regiment, the first regiment of African Americans from the North to serve during the Civil War, bravely assaulted Battery Wagner in Charleston Harbor. Their bravery increased Northern efforts to enlist African Americans.

Is it illegal to sell a Medal of Honor?

Due to the prestige of the Medal of Honor, it is a federal crime to manufacture, sell, or trade these awards without authorization of the federal government. It is also illegal to use unauthorized Medals of Honors to receive benefits, such as money or property.

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.

How many black generals are in the U.S. 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.

Who was the highest ranking black officer during the Civil War?

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.).

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.

Who was the first black general?

General Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. was the First African American general officer in the Active-Duty Army in the U.S. Army.

Who was the first black man to graduate from West Point?

This week's #MarkerMonday recognizes Henry Ossian Flipper, the first African American to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Flipper was born into slavery on March 21, 1856, in Thomasville, Georgia.

Has anyone won 2 Medal honors?

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.

Who is the youngest Medal of Honor winner?

Youngest and Oldest Recipients

The youngest person ever to receive the Medal of Honor was probably William "Willie" Johnston, who earned the Medal during the Civil War just prior to his 12th birthday and received his award 6 weeks after his 13th.

Who is the most decorated soldier ever?

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.

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.

How many Latinos received the Medal of Honor?

Sixty-one (61) men of Hispanic heritage have been awarded the Medal of Honor. Of the sixty-one Medals of Honor presented to Hispanics, two were presented to members of the United States Navy, thirteen to members of the United States Marine Corps and forty-six to members of the United States Army.

How much is a Medal of Honor worth?

A Monthly Pension and Special Retirement Pay

As of Dec. 1, 2020, Medal of Honor recipients receive a $1,406.73 monthly pension with annual cost-of-living increases in line with the Social Security Administration's increases. This comes on top of any disability or retirement pay.