Unearth The Voyage
Throughout American military history, countless brave men and women have answered the call to serve their country with extraordinary courage and sacrifice. Some of these heroes have been recognized with medals, ribbons, and awards that honor their exceptional valor on the battlefield. The soldiers on this list represent the most decorated warriors in U.S. history, each carrying a legacy of bravery that continues to inspire new generations of service members.
1. Audie Murphy — 33 awards and decorations (World War II)
When World War II ended, one young Texan had earned every possible U.S. valor medal available to him, plus recognition from France and Belgium. Audie Murphy stands as the most decorated American soldier of all time, with official Department of Defense records crediting him with 33 awards, citations, and decorations.
His Medal of Honor came after single-handedly holding off an entire German company while wounded and out of ammunition. Murphy’s bravery became legendary, and his story later inspired millions through his acting career and autobiography.
2. Jorge Otero-Barreto — 38 decorations (Vietnam War)
Five tours and 200 combat missions in Vietnam earned one soldier a staggering collection of honors that few could match. The Department of Veterans Affairs officially recognizes Jorge Otero-Barreto with 38 decorations, calling him the most decorated soldier of the Vietnam War.
His medal count includes 5 Bronze Stars with Valor, 5 Purple Hearts, 4 Army Commendation Medals, 5 Air Medals, and 3 Silver Stars. Otero-Barreto’s relentless dedication to his fellow soldiers and his country made him a true warrior legend during America’s longest conflict of that era.
3. Robert L. Howard — most decorated Vietnam War Special Forces legend (Medal of Honor recipient)
A Department of Defense feature describes Colonel Robert L. Howard as the most decorated soldier to have served in the Vietnam War, noting an unprecedented achievement. Howard became the only soldier ever nominated three times for the Medal of Honor, ultimately receiving it for extraordinary heroism.
His five Vietnam deployments included highly classified cross-border operations that pushed the limits of human endurance and courage. Howard’s extraordinary record of valor recognition cemented his place among America’s greatest warriors, earning respect from every branch of service.
4. William J. Wild Bill Donovan — WWI’s most highly decorated American officer
Before founding the CIA’s predecessor organization, one officer earned a remarkable distinction on the battlefields of France. The CIA Museum plainly states that William J. Donovan was the most highly decorated American officer of World War I, receiving the nation’s top four medals.
His Medal of Honor came for action in France in 1918, where his leadership under fire saved countless lives. Donovan’s rare combination of major U.S. awards made him a legend, and his military experience later shaped American intelligence operations for generations to come.
5. Matt Urban — 29 awards and decorations (World War II)
Wounded seven times in combat, one lieutenant colonel kept returning to the fight despite injuries that would have sidelined most soldiers permanently. Cornell University describes Matt Urban as the most decorated soldier in World War II, with 29 total awards and decorations earned through extraordinary acts of courage.
His Medal of Honor was awarded in 1980 after a misplaced recommendation was finally discovered decades later. Urban’s multiple Purple Hearts and valor awards tell the story of a warrior who never quit, embodying the fighting spirit that helped win the war.
6. Douglas MacArthur — Medal of Honor recipient with long record of U.S. and foreign decorations
Few military careers span as many conflicts or accumulate as many honors as one five-star general who became an American icon. The National Museum of the United States Army recognizes Douglas MacArthur as a Medal of Honor recipient with 17 other medals, reflecting service in World War I, World War II, and Korea.
U.S. National Archives materials show an extensive portfolio of decorations and service medals that illustrate his decades of leadership. MacArthur’s awards from foreign nations added to his already impressive collection, making him one of history’s most recognized military figures.
7. Col. George E. Bud Day — Nearly 70 decorations; often cited as most decorated since MacArthur
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force notes one airman who stands apart from all others in modern military history. Colonel George E. Day is often cited as the most decorated U.S. service member since General Douglas MacArthur, having received some seventy decorations, most for combat.
His Medal of Honor came after an incredible escape attempt from a North Vietnamese prison camp and years of brutal captivity. Day’s nearly 70 awards reflect not just battlefield courage but also the extraordinary resilience and determination he showed as a prisoner of war.
8. Capt. Edward V. Eddie Rickenbacker — Record 8 Distinguished Service Crosses (WWI)
Before becoming America’s top fighter ace of World War I, one young pilot had been a famous race car driver seeking a new kind of speed. The U.S. Air Force history fact sheet states that Eddie Rickenbacker received eight Distinguished Service Crosses, with one later upgraded to the Medal of Honor.
His record number of Distinguished Service Crosses has never been matched, making him unique in military history. Rickenbacker’s 26 aerial victories and fearless flying made him a national hero and helped establish the reputation of American airpower on the world stage.
9. Lt. Gen. Lewis B. Chesty Puller — Most decorated Marine; 5 Navy Crosses
One Marine’s name became synonymous with toughness, leadership, and combat excellence across multiple wars. Both Britannica and Encyclopedia Virginia describe Lewis B. Puller as the most decorated Marine in history, including an unprecedented five Navy Crosses earned from World War II through Korea.
His legendary status among Marines stems not just from medals but from his inspiring leadership style and memorable quotes. Puller’s five Navy Crosses represent the highest number ever awarded to a single individual, cementing his legacy as the Marine Corps’ greatest warrior and an enduring symbol of military excellence.
10. VADM John D. Bulkeley — Medal of Honor and multiple top valor awards (WWII)
One naval officer’s daring PT boat operations in the Philippines made him an instant hero in the dark early days of World War II. The U.S. Navy’s biographical file notes that Vice Admiral John D. Bulkeley received the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, and the Army Distinguished Service Cross with oak leaf cluster.
His Medal of Honor came for evacuating General MacArthur from Corregidor through enemy-controlled waters in a thrilling escape. Bulkeley’s rare combination of top valor awards from multiple service branches reflects the extraordinary nature of his combat leadership and his willingness to take on impossible missions.
11. RADM Roy M. Davenport — Only sailor to earn 5 Navy Crosses
Silent and deadly beneath the Pacific waves, one submarine commander terrorized Japanese shipping throughout World War II with unmatched success. Military.com reports that Rear Admiral Roy M. Davenport earned five Navy Crosses as a submarine commander, making him the only sailor ever to achieve this extraordinary feat.
His aggressive tactics and brilliant seamanship sent numerous enemy vessels to the bottom while keeping his crew safe through dangerous patrols. Davenport’s five Navy Crosses represent the highest achievement in naval combat valor, placing him among the most elite warriors in U.S. Navy history and submarine warfare legends.
12. Smedley D. Butler
Smedley D. Butler earned two Medals of Honor, a rare distinction that still turns heads. He served in the Marines across the Caribbean, Mexico, and China, becoming a legend for leading from the front. You sense the relentless tempo of his career, marked by discipline, blunt honesty, and bold decisions under fire.
Late in life, he spoke candidly about war, challenging profiteering and urging accountability. That complexity does not diminish his heroism, it deepens it. When you study Butler, you find a warrior who also questioned the cost, leaving a legacy of bravery and conscience that continues to spark thoughtful debate.
13. Alvin C. York
Alvin C. York stepped into history in the Argonne Forest, facing machine guns with a small squad and unshakable resolve. A reluctant soldier turned precise marksman, he captured and killed dozens, shifting the momentum in a brutal fight. You can almost hear the mud squelch and the clatter of rifles as he moved forward.
His decorations piled up, including the Medal of Honor, but he returned home to humility. York invested in education and community, reminding you that valor can be quiet afterward. His tale shows how personal conviction, sharpened by faith and duty, can transform fear into decisive action.
14. John Basilone
John Basilone became a Marine Corps icon on Guadalcanal, holding a defensive line with machine guns while ammunition ran low. You feel the heat, mud, and desperation as he kept firing, directing, and hauling belts through chaos. That night earned him the Medal of Honor and a place in Marine lore.
He could have stayed stateside, but he returned to combat for Iwo Jima and fell leading his men. Basilone’s decorations tell part of the story, his choices tell the rest. When you look up courage under pressure, his name appears, reminding you leadership is proven when it costs everything.
15. Bruce Crandall
You can almost hear the rotors when thinking about Bruce Crandall. Flying unarmed Hueys under relentless fire in the Ia Drang Valley, he kept landing where others would not. Those missions delivered ammunition, evacuated wounded, and steadied hearts when chaos threatened to win.
He earned the Medal of Honor and Distinguished Flying Crosses, embodying fearless resolve. Picture the courage it takes to descend again after taking hits moments before. Crandall showed that leadership sometimes means returning to danger because someone down there needs you.
16. Edward A. Carter Jr.
Edward A. Carter Jr. fought prejudice and the enemy with equal tenacity. In World War II, he led a daring charge against a German position, killed multiple soldiers, and captured others despite serious wounds. His valor was undeniable, yet recognition took decades to match his deeds.
His Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor long after the war, revealing how courage can outlast injustice. You feel his determination in every account of that firefight. Carter’s story reminds you that heroism sometimes waits for history to catch up.
17. Francis S. Currey
Snow and steel defined Francis S. Currey’s day at Malmedy. With anti tank grenades and a bazooka, he knocked out enemy armor and rescued pinned down comrades. Imagine the nerve required to dart through fire, choosing action when freezing fear would be easier.
He received the Medal of Honor for that relentless initiative. You can almost see the breath in the cold as he reloads and moves again. Currey’s courage gives the Battle of the Bulge a face you will not forget, one determined step at a time.
18. Desmond Doss
Desmond Doss went to war without a weapon and saved lives by the dozens. On Okinawa’s Maeda Escarpment, he lowered wounded men down a cliff, whispering one more as prayer and mission. You can feel the rope burn and the quiet courage that never flinched.
His Medal of Honor stands as proof that valor wears many uniforms. Doss showed you that conviction can be as strong as steel. In a world of noise, his humility still speaks louder, reminding us that bravery sometimes begins with a simple refusal to harm.
