# List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War

The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipients must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously.
The Vietnam War, (also known as the Second Indochina War, Vietnam Conflict, and in Vietnam as the American War), took place from 1955 to 1975. The war was fought between the Communist-supported North Vietnam and the United States-supported South Vietnam, beginning with the presence of a small number of US military advisors in 1955 and escalating into direct US involvement in a ground war in 1965. US combat forces were withdrawn in early 1973 pursuant to the Paris Peace Accords, but the war continued concluding with the Fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975.
During the Vietnam War and in the following twelve months, 235 Medals of Honor were awarded and since 1978 a further 33 awards have been presented. Of the total of 268 awards, 179 were to the US Army, 15 to the US Navy, 58 to the USMC and 14 to the USAF. These totals do not include the award to the Vietnam Unknown Soldier.
The first Medal of Honor presentation for Vietnam was to Captain Roger Donlon for actions on 6 July 1964 as commanding officer of the U.S. Army Special Forces Detachment defending Camp Nam Dong against a Viet Cong attack. The last actions to earn a Medal of Honor in this war were those of Bud Day, for actions as a prisoner of war from 26 August 1967 through 14 March 1973. Day and three others were presented with the Medal of Honor by President Ford at the White House on March 4, 1976. They were the last of the 235 servicemen awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War and in the following twelve months.
The first African American recipient of the war was Milton L. Olive III who sacrificed himself to save others by smothering a grenade with his body. Riley L. Pitts was killed after attacking an enemy force with rifle fire and grenades and was the first African American commissioned officer of the war to receive the medal. Thomas Bennett and Joseph LaPointe were conscientious objectors who received the medal for their actions as medics; three chaplains received the medal, including Vincent R. Capodanno, who served with the Marine Corps and was known as the "Grunt Padre".

## Recipients

Grey background and † indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously. All locations are in South Vietnam unless otherwise stated.
| Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
| | William E. Adams † | Army | Major | Kon Tum province | May 25, 1971 | Killed while flying his helicopter in a rescue mission |
| | Bennie Adkins | Army | Sergeant First Class | A Shau Valley, South Vietnam | March 9, 1966 | Distinguished himself during 38 hours of close-combat battle against Viet Cong forces during the Battle of A Shau |
| | Lewis Albanese † | Army | Private First Class | South Vietnam | December 1, 1966 | After participating in the defeat of an enemy assault he was killed in hand-to-hand combat |
| | Leonard L. Alvarado † | Army | Specialist Four | Phước Long province | August 12, 1969 | For disrupting an enemy raid and saving the lives of several comrades |
| | James Anderson Jr. † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Near Cam Lộ | February 28, 1967 | For covering an enemy grenade with his body to protect fellow Marines |
| | Richard A. Anderson † | Marine Corps | Lance Corporal | Quảng Trị province | August 24, 1969 | For covering an enemy grenade with his body to protect fellow Marines on a recon mission. |
| | Webster Anderson | Army | Staff Sergeant | Tam Kỳ | October 15, 1967 | Although wounded multiple times he continued to fight and refused medical aid until the enemy attack was over. |
| | Eugene Ashley Jr. † | Army | Sergeant First Class | Lang Vei—South Vietnamnear Lang Vei | February 6, 1968 – February 7, 1968 | Risked his life attempting to save the lives of his entrapped comrades and commanding officer |
| | Oscar P. Austin † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Da Nang—South Vietnamwest of Da Nang | February 23, 1969 | Threw himself between enemy fire and an injured fellow Marine |
| | John P. Baca | Army | Specialist Four | Phước Long province | February 10, 1970 | Covered a grenade with his helmet and body, saving eight men |
| | Nicky D. Bacon | Army | Staff Sergeant | Tam Ky—South Vietnamwest of Tam Kỳ | August 26, 1968 | Risked his life by repeatedly leading groups of men in fighting back an enemy attack |
| | John F. Baker Jr. | Army | Private First Class | South Vietnam | November 5, 1966 | He was directly responsible for saving the lives of several of his comrades, and inflicting serious damage on the enemy. |
| | Donald E. Ballard | Navy | Hospital Corpsman Second Class | Quảng Trị province | May 16, 1968 | Risked his life by smothering a grenade with his own body |
| | Jedh C. Barker † | Marine Corps | Lance Corporal | Con Thien—South Vietnamnear Con Thien | September 21, 1967 | Threw himself on a grenade to save fellow Marines |
| | John A. Barnes, III † | Army | Private First Class | Đắk Tô | November 12, 1967 | Sacrificed his life by throwing himself directly onto a hand grenade as it exploded. |
| | Harvey C. Barnum Jr. | Marine Corps | First Lieutenant | Ky Phu, Quảng Tín province | December 18, 1965 | Assumed command of a rifle company upon death of the commander in an ambush and directed the counterattack. |
| | Gary B. Beikirch | Army | Sergeant | Kon Tum province | April 1, 1970 | Endured hostile gunfire and serious injuries to save several wounded soldiers. |
| | Ted Belcher † | Army | Sergeant | Plei Djerang | November 19, 1966 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| — | Leslie A. Bellrichard † | Army | Private First Class | Kon Tum province | May 20, 1967 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | Roy P. Benavidez | Army | Staff Sergeant | Loc Ninh—South Vietnamwest of Lộc Ninh | May 2, 1968 | For a series of daring and valorous actions despite severe wounds |
| | Steven L. Bennett † | Air Force | Captain | Quảng Trị | June 29, 1972 | Sacrificed his life to save the life of his passenger |
| | Thomas W. Bennett † | Army | Corporal | Chu Pa Region, Pleiku province | February 9, 1969 – February 11, 1969 | For saving many lives as a medic during a number of vicious firefights. Second conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor. |
| | Dwight W. Birdwell | Army | Specialist Five | Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon | January 31, 1968 | For his role in the Tet offensive attack on Tan Son Nhut Air Base. Medal awarded on 5 July 2022. |
| | Michael R. Blanchfield † | Army | Specialist Four | Bình Định province | July 3, 1969 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | John P. Bobo † | Marine Corps | Second Lieutenant | Quảng Trị province | March 30, 1967 | Held his position in the face of enemy ambush despite having his lower leg blown off, allowing the remainder of his outnumbered unit to move to safety. |
| | James L. Bondsteel | Army | Staff Sergeant | An Lộc, Bình Phước province | May 24, 1969 | He destroyed 10 enemy bunkers and accounted for a large toll of the enemy, including two key enemy commanders |
| | Hammett L. Bowen Jr. † | Army | Staff Sergeant | Bình Dương province | June 27, 1969 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | Patrick H. Brady | Army | Major | Chu Lai—South Vietnamnear Chu Lai | January 6, 1968 | Flew multiple missions against heavy fire to evacuate 51 wounded men |
| | Daniel D. Bruce † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Fire Support Base Tomahawk, Quảng Nam province | March 1, 1969 | Carried an explosive device away from three other Marines |
| | William M. Bryant † | Army | Sergeant First Class | Long Khánh District | March 24, 1969 | Showed conspicuous leadership while organizing his unit's defense during a 34-hour enemy attack |
| | Paul W. Bucha | Army | Captain | Phuoc Vinh—Bình Dương province—South Vietnamnear Phuoc Vinh, Bình Dương province | March 16, 1968 – March 19, 1968 | Led his company in the decimation of a superior enemy force which left 156 dead on the battlefield |
| — | Brian L. Buker † | Army | Sergeant | Châu Đốc province | April 5, 1970 | Sacrificed his life to lead his men against the enemy and personally destroyed two enemy bunkers with hand grenades |
| | Robert C. Burke † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | southern Quảng Nam province | May 17, 1968 | After his unit was ambushed, he assaulted the enemy forces, allowing the remainder of the unit to recover wounded and continue their advance |
| | John Canley | Marine Corps | Gunnery sergeant | Huế | January 31, 1968 – February 6, 1968 | Awarded for his role in the Battle of Huế. Originally awarded the Navy Cross which was upgraded to the Medal of Honor on October 17, 2018. |
| | Vincent R. Capodanno † | Navy | Lieutenant | Quảng Tín province | September 4, 1967 | A Chaplain who was killed while attempting to rescue a wounded corpsman |
| | Wayne M. Caron † | Navy | Hospital Corpsman Third Class | Quảng Nam province | July 28, 1968 | Was killed while providing medical attention to several wounded Marines |
| | Bruce W. Carter † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Quảng Trị province | August 7, 1969 | Sacrificed his life to save several Marines by smothering a grenade with his body |
| | Jon R. Cavaiani | Army | Staff Sergeant | South Vietnam | June 4, 1971 – June 5, 1971 | Risked his life by attacking a wave of enemy forces alone to allow the rest of his platoon to escape |
| | Raymond M. Clausen Jr. | Marine Corps | Private First Class | South Vietnam | January 31, 1970 | Risked his life to rescue several Marines and corpsman from a minefield |
| | Ronald L. Coker † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Quảng Trị province | March 24, 1969 | For assaulting an enemy position and aiding a fallen Marine despite severe wounds to himself |
| | Felix M. Conde-Falcon † | Army | Staff Sergeant | Ap Tan Hoa | April 4, 1969 | Killed while assaulting heavily fortified enemy bunkers |
| | Peter S. Connor † | Marine Corps | Staff Sergeant | Quảng Nam province | February 25, 1966 | For absorbing the blast of a malfunctioning grenade in order to protect his fellow Marines |
| | Donald G. Cook † | Marine Corps | Captain | South Vietnam | December 31, 1964 – December 8, 1967 | For assisting fellow prisoners while a prisoner of war |
| | Ardie R. Copas † | Army | Specialist Four | Ph Romeas Hek, Cambodia | May 12, 1970 | Killed while holding off an enemy ambush while wounded, so his comrades could be evacuated |
| | Bruce P. Crandall | Army | Major | Battle of Ia Drang | November 14, 1965 | For repeatedly flying into a landing zone under intense enemy fire to rescue and resupply ground troops |
| | Thomas E. Creek † | Marine Corps | Lance Corporal | Cam Lo—South Vietnamnear Cam Lộ | February 13, 1969 | Sacrificed his life to save five Marines by smothering a grenade with his body |
| | Michael J. Crescenz † | Army | Corporal | Hiệp Đức Valley area | November 20, 1968 | For single-handedly destroying two bunkers while under fire from a third machine gun during an ambush |
| | Nicholas J. Cutinha † | Army | Specialist Four | Gia Định—South Vietnamnear Gia Định | March 2, 1968 | Maintained his position, refused assistance, and provided defensive fire for his comrades until he fell mortally wounded. He was solely responsible for killing 15 enemy soldiers while saving the lives of at least nine members of his own unit. |
| | Larry G. Dahl † | Army | Specialist Four | An Khê, Bình Định province | February 23, 1971 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | Kenneth J. David | Army | Specialist Four | Thua Thien province | May 7, 1970 | For defending wounded soldiers |
| | Paris Davis | Army | Captain | Bồng Sơn, Bình Định province | June 18, 1965 | For rescuing several of his men though wounded and defending their position until relieved |
| | Rodney M. Davis † | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Quảng Nam province | September 6, 1967 | Sacrificed his life to save several of his fellow Marines by smothering a grenade with his body |
| | Sammy L. Davis | Army | Private First Class | Cai Lay—South VietnamWest of Cai Lậy | November 18, 1967 | For defending his 42-man unit from hundreds of attacking Viet Cong |
| | George E. Day | Air Force | Major | North Vietnam | August 26, 1967 | For actions as a prisoner of war from August 26, 1967 – March 4, 1973 |
| | Emilio A. De La Garza Jr. † | Marine Corps | Lance Corporal | Da Nang—South Vietnamnear Da Nang | April 11, 1970 | Sacrificed his life and saved several Marines by blocking them from the blast of a grenade |
| | Merlyn H. Dethlefsen | Air Force | Captain | North Vietnamover North Vietnam | March 10, 1967 | Flew repeated close range strikes to silence enemy defensive positions, ignoring overwhelming firepower and damage to his own aircraft |
| — | Edward A. DeVore Jr. † | Army | Specialist Four | Saigon—South Vietnamnear Saigon | March 17, 1968 | Sacrificed his life to draw the enemy fire upon himself allowing a trapped squad to rejoin their platoon |
| | Ralph E. Dias † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Quế Sơn Mountains | November 12, 1969 | Although severely wounded multiple times by enemy fire, he continued to throw grenades at an enemy bunker until it was destroyed and he was killed by enemy gunfire. |
| | Douglas E. Dickey † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | South Vietnam | March 26, 1967 | Sacrificed his life to save several fellow Marines by diving on a grenade and absorbing the explosion with his body |
| | Drew D. Dix | Army | Staff Sergeant | Châu Đốc province | January 31, 1968 – February 1, 1968 | His actions resulted in 14 confirmed Viet Cong killed in action and possibly 25 more, the capture of 20 prisoners, 15 weapons, and the rescue of the 14 United States and free world civilians |
| — | Stephen H. Doane † | Army | First Lieutenant | Hậu Nghĩa province | March 25, 1969 | Although already wounded, he sacrificed his life to save other soldiers who were pinned down by silencing two enemy gun emplacements and diving into a third with a grenade. |
| | David C. Dolby | Army | Specialist Four | South Vietnam | May 21, 1966 | For silencing three enemy positions and rescuing several wounded comrades |
| | Roger H. C. Donlon | Army | Captain | Nam Dong—South Vietnamnear Nam Đông | July 6, 1964 | Rescued and administered first aid to several wounded soldiers and led a group to defeat an enemy force, causing them to retreat and leaving behind 54 of their dead, many weapons, and grenades. |
| | John J. Duffy | Army | Major | Firebase Charlie, Kon Tum province | April 14, 1972 – April 15, 1972 | For his role leading the defense of Firebase Charlie during the Battle of Kon Tum. Medal awarded on 5 July 2022. |
| — | Kern W. Dunagan | Army | Captain | Quảng Tín province | May 13, 1969 | Although wounded, he directed fire onto enemy positions and rescued several wounded soldiers. |
| | Jesus S. Duran † | Army | Sergeant | Ph Romeas Hek, Cambodia | April 10, 1969 | Saved wounded Americans on a search and clear operation |
| — | Harold Bascom Durham Jr. † | Army | Second Lieutenant | Ong Thanh, South Vietnam | October 17, 1967 | Although wounded he directed fire on enemy positions and continued to fight until he died from his wounds |
| | Glenn H. English Jr. † | Army | Staff Sergeant | Phù Mỹ District | September 7, 1970 | Was killed while attempting to rescue a wounded soldier from a personnel carrier |
| | Santiago J. Erevia | Army | Specialist Four | near Tam Kỳ | May 21, 1969 | For his courageous actions while serving as radio telephone operator in Company C, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) during search and clear mission. |
| | Michael J. Estocin † | Navy | Lieutenant Commander | Hai Phong, North Vietnam | April 20, 1967 and April 26, 1967 | Risked his life by attacking an enemy SAM site and other enemy targets multiple times |
| | Richard Etchberger † | Air Force | Chief Master Sergeant | Lima Site 85, Laos | March 11, 1968 | Exposed himself to enemy fire in order to place his three surviving wounded comrades in rescue slings, permitting them to be airlifted to safety. It took an act of Congress for Etchberger to be reconsidered for this 2010 Medal of Honor, since the existence of Lima Site 85 had to be kept secret in 1968. |
| | Donald W. Evans Jr. † | Army | Specialist Four | Tam Tri | January 27, 1967 | Was a medic who was killed while treating and rescuing members of his unit. Evans Army Community Hospital, Ft Carson, was named after Evans. |
| — | Rodney J. Evans † | Army | Sergeant | Tây Ninh province | July 18, 1969 | Killed protecting others during an ambush |
| | Frederick E. Ferguson | Army | Chief Warrant Officer | Huế | January 31, 1968 | Risked his life by flying his helicopter into heavy enemy fire to evacuate several wounded passengers and aircrew of a downed helicopter |
| | Daniel Fernandez † | Army | Specialist Four | Củ Chi, Hậu Nghĩa province | February 18, 1966 | Threw himself on an enemy grenade as it exploded, saving the lives of four comrades at the sacrifice of his life |
| | Bernard F. Fisher | Air Force | Major | Biên Hòa and Pleiku, South Vietnam | March 10, 1966 | For rescuing a downed airman despite heavy fire |
| | Michael J. Fitzmaurice | Army | Specialist Four | Khe Sanh | March 23, 1971 | For absorbing an explosive charge and continuing to fight with weapons and hand to hand before successfully defending a bunker. |
| — | Charles C. Fleek † | Army | Sergeant | Bình Dương province | May 27, 1969 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | James P. Fleming | Air Force | First Lieutenant | Duc Co—South Vietnamnear Đức Cơ | November 26, 1968 | For the rescue of a six-man special forces unit |
| | Robert F. Foley | Army | Captain | Quan Dầu Tiếng—South Vietnamnear Dầu Tiếng | November 5, 1966 | Despite his painful wounds, he refused medical aid and persevered in the forefront of the attack on the enemy redoubt. He led the assault on several enemy gun emplacements and, single-handedly, destroyed three such positions. |
| — | Michael F. Folland † | Army | Corporal | Long Khánh province | July 3, 1969 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body |
| | Paul H. Foster † | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Con Thien—South Vietnamnear Con Thien | October 14, 1967 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body |
| — | Douglas B. Fournet † | Army | First Lieutenant | A Shau Valley | May 4, 1968 | Sacrificed his life in an attempt to defuse a claymore mine |
| — | James W. Fous † | Army | Private First Class | Kien Hoa province | May 14, 1968 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | Wesley L. Fox | Marine Corps | First Lieutenant | Quảng Trị province | February 22, 1969 | Although wounded, he directed fire on the enemy and led his platoon to drive the enemy back. |
| — | Frank R. Fratellenico † | Army | Corporal | Quảng Trị province | August 19, 1970 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him. |
| | Ed Freeman | Army | Captain | Ia Drang Valley | November 14, 1965 | For gallantry conducted as a UH–1 Huey pilot at LZ X–Ray |
| | Harold A. Fritz | Army | First Lieutenant | Bình Long province | January 11, 1969 | Despite his wounds, he returned to his position, assisted his men, and refused medical attention until all of his wounded comrades had been treated and evacuated. |
| | Dennis Fujii | Army | Specialist Four | Firebase Ranger North, Savannakhet province, Laos | February 18, 1971 – February 22, 1971 | For his role in the defense of Firebase Ranger North during Operation Lam Son 719. Medal awarded on 5 July 2022. |
| | Candelario Garcia † | Army | Sergeant | Lai Khê | December 8, 1968 | Destroyed two enemy machine gun nests while saving wounded comrades |
| — | James A. Gardner † | Army | First Lieutenant | My Canh, South Vietnam | February 7, 1966 | Sacrificed his life by single-handedly destroying several enemy gun positions until he was killed |
| — | John G. Gertsch † | Army | Staff Sergeant | A Shau Valley | July 15, 1969 – July 19, 1969 | For providing covering fire for a medic working on a wounded soldier |
| | Alfredo C. Gonzalez † | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Thừa Thiên—Huế—South VietnamHuế | February 4, 1968 | Although seriously wounded, he destroyed an enemy bunker and fought back an enemy attack until he was killed. |
| | James A. Graham † | Marine Corps | Captain | Que Son Valley | June 2, 1967 | After fighting off the enemy, he sacrificed his life by allowing the rest of his company to return to friendly lines, while he remained alone with an injured soldier who could not be moved due to his wounds. |
| — | Bruce A. Grandstaff † | Army | Platoon Sergeant | Pleiku province | May 18, 1967 | Fought off an enemy attack until killed by an enemy rocket |
| — | Joseph X. Grant † | Army | First Lieutenant | South Vietnam | November 13, 1966 | Killed by enemy mortar fire while attempting to rescue several injured Marines |
| | Terrence C. Graves † | Marine Corps | Second Lieutenant | Quảng Trị province | February 16, 1968 | For courageous leadership on an eight-man Marine recon patrol |
| — | Peter M. Guenette † | Army | Specialist Four | Tân Uyên, Bình Dương | May 18, 1968 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body |
| | Charles C. Hagemeister | Army | Specialist Four | Bình Định province | March 20, 1967 | Risked his life to render medical aid to several injured soldiers and protected them until they could be evacuated |
| | Loren D. Hagen † | Army | First Lieutenant | A Shau Valley | August 7, 1971 | For attempting to aid a critically wounded Special reconnaissance team member Bruce Allen Berg during a massive North Vietnamese Army assault. |
| — | Robert W. Hartsock † | Army | Staff Sergeant | Hậu Nghĩa province | February 23, 1969 | For smothering an explosion with his body to protect those around him |
| — | Carmel B. Harvey Jr. † | Army | Specialist Four | Bình Định province | June 21, 1967 | Sacrificed his life and attacked a group of enemy soldiers so that several injured members of his squad could escape |
| | Frank A. Herda | Army | Private First Class | Dak To—Quang Trang province—South Vietnamnear Đắk Tô | June 29, 1968 | Risked his life to protect several wounded soldiers by smothering a grenade with his body |
| — | Robert J. Hibbs † | Army | Second Lieutenant | Don Dien Lo Ke, South Vietnam | March 5, 1966 | Sacrificed his life to eliminate two companies of the enemy, rescue a fellow soldier and destroyed the starlight scope attached to his rifle to prevent its capture and use by the Viet Cong. |
| | John N. Holcomb † | Army | Sergeant | Quan Loi—South Vietnamnear Quần Lợi, South Vietnam | December 3, 1968 | Risked his life to lead his men to fight back an attacking enemy force three times |
| | Joe R. Hooper | Army | Sergeant | Huế—South Vietnamnear Huế | February 21, 1968 | Airborne infantry company squad leader with many decorations and awards including eight Purple Hearts in the Vietnam War: Repeatedly risked his life to rescue wounded soldiers and attack groups of enemy soldiers, clearing multiple bunkers and houses sometimes single-handed. Refused medical treatment or evacuation until after action and his men were settled. "... His supreme valor, inspiring leadership and heroic self-sacrifice were directly responsible for the company's success and provided a lasting example in personal courage for every man in the field ...." |
| | Charles E. Hosking Jr. † | Army | Sergeant First Class | Phước Long province | March 21, 1967 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | Jimmie E. Howard | Marine Corps | Staff Sergeant | South Vietnam | June 16, 1966 | Repeateadly repulsed enemy attacks and although severely wounded was able maintain control of his unit until help could arrive |
| | Robert L. Howard | Army | Sergeant First Class | South Vietnam | December 30, 1968 | For actions during a rescue mission in enemy territory |
| | James D. Howe † | Marine Corps | Lance Corporal | South Vietnam | May 6, 1970 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | George A. Ingalls † | Army | Specialist Four | Đức Phổ—South Vietnamnear Đức Phổ | April 16, 1967 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | Robert R. Ingram | Navy | Hospital Corpsman Third Class | Quảng Ngãi province | March 28, 1966 | Although badly wounded, he continued to assist and treat the injuries of the Marines around him who had been hurt in combat with the enemy. |
| | Joe M. Jackson | Air Force | Lieutenant Colonel | Kham Duc | May 12, 1968 | For a daring airborne rescue of American special forces troops |
| | Jack H. Jacobs | Army | First Lieutenant | Kien Phong province | March 9, 1968 | Drove off squads of enemy soldiers on three occasions who were searching for allied wounded and weapons. He killed three and wounded several others. |
| | Don J. Jenkins | Army | Private First Class | Kien Phong province | January 6, 1969 | Repeatedly attacked the enemy and although severely wounded risked his life to rescue several wounded soldiers |
| | Robert H. Jenkins Jr. † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Firebase Argonne, South Vietnam | March 5, 1969 | For using his body to shield a fellow Marine from a grenade blast |
| — | Delbert O. Jennings | Army | Staff Sergeant | Kim Son Valley, South Vietnam | December 27, 1966 | Repeatedly attacked and defended his unit from enemy fire and assisted 8 wounded men who were trapped behind enemy lines |
| | Jose F. Jimenez † | Marine Corps | Lance Corporal | Quảng Nam province | August 28, 1969 | Killed while attacking a group of enemy soldiers |
| | Lawrence Joel | Army | Specialist Five | South Vietnam | November 8, 1965 | Provided medical treatment to fellow soldiers while under heavy fire, despite being wounded twice, during Operation Hump |
| | Dwight H. Johnson | Army | Specialist Five | Đắk Tô—Kon Tum province—South Vietnamnear Đắk Tô, Kon Tum province | January 15, 1968 | Repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to man several different machine-guns until the enemy had been fought back |
| | Ralph H. Johnson † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Quan Duc Valley—South Vietnamnear the Quan Duc Valley, South Vietnam | March 5, 1968 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | Donald R. Johnston † | Army | Specialist Four | Tây Ninh province | March 21, 1969 | For smothering explosive blasts with his body to protect those around him |
| | William A. Jones, III † | Air Force | Colonel | Đồng Hới—North Vietnamnear Đồng Hới, North Vietnam | September 1, 1968 | Risked his life to fly his heavily damaged plane back to base to relay the location of a downed pilot |
| — | Edward N. Kaneshiro † | Army | Staff sergeant | Kim Son Valley, Bình Định province | December 1, 1966 | For his role in pushing forward an attack. Medal awarded on 5 July 2022. |
| — | Stephen E. Karopczyc † | Army | First Lieutenant | Kon Tum province | March 12, 1967 | Sacrificed his life to save other soldiers by smothering a grenade with his body |
| | Terry T. Kawamura † | Army | Corporal | Camp Radcliff, South Vietnam | March 20, 1969 | For smothering an explosive blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | Kenneth M. Kays | Army | Private | Thừa Thiên province | May 7, 1970 | Risked his life to assist several fallen comrades and although injured in the attempt was able to administer first aid to himself and several of the wounded and helped them to safety. |
| | John J. Kedenburg † | Army | Specialist Five | South Vietnam | June 13, 1968 | For letting a Vietnamese soldier take his spot in a helicopter rescue, while he stayed behind to attempt to hold off advancing Viet Cong by which he was overrun. |
| | Miguel Keith † | Marine Corps | Lance Corporal | Quảng Ngãi province | May 8, 1970 | Sacrificed his life to single-handedly eliminate a group of enemy soldiers |
| | Leonard B. Keller | Army | Sergeant | Ap Bac Zone, South Vietnam | May 2, 1967 | Assaulted an enemy platoon with another soldier preventing further casualties |
| | Thomas G. Kelley | Navy | Lieutenant | Ong Muong Canal, Kien Hoa province, South Vietnam | June 15, 1969 | Successfully relayed commands through one of his men until an enemy attack was silenced and the boats he was leading were able to move to safety |
| | Allan J. Kellogg | Marine Corps | Staff Sergeant | Quảng Nam province | March 11, 1970 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | J. Robert Kerrey | Navy | Lieutenant, Junior Grade | Nha Trang Bay—South Vietnamnear Nha Trang Bay,South Vietnam | March 14, 1969 | Led his SEAL team on a mission to capture important members of the enemy and although seriously injured in the battle they eliminated an enemy force and took several prisoners. Later became a U.S. Senator for the state of Nebraska. Prior to becoming a senator, he served as the governor from 1983 to 1987. |
| | Charles Kettles | Army | Major | near Đức Phổ, South Vietnam | May 15, 1967 | As a helicopter pilot, reinforced and then evacuated an embattled unit despite intense hostile fire |
| | Thomas J. Kinsman | Army | Private First Class | Vĩnh Long—South Vietnamnear Vĩnh Long | February 6, 1968 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| — | Paul R. Lambers | Army | Sergeant | Tây Ninh province | August 20, 1968 | For taking command of his platoon and exposing himself to enemy fire to reestablish communication, tend to wounded men, and continued fighting |
| — | George C. Lang | Army | Specialist Four | Kien Hoa province, South Vietnam | February 22, 1969 | For destroying three enemy bunkers with grenades and rifle fire, helping to secure an enemy supply cache and directing his men after being seriously wounded. |
| — | Garfield M. Langhorn † | Army | Private First Class | Pleiku province, South Vietnam | January 15, 1969 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | Joseph G. LaPointe Jr. † | Army | Specialist Four | Quảng Tín province | June 2, 1969 | Sacrificed his life by using his own body as a shield in an attempt to save a wounded soldier. |
| | Clyde E. Lassen | Navy | Lieutenant, Junior Grade | North Vietnam | June 19, 1968 | For the rescue of two downed naval aviators |
| — | Billy L. Lauffer † | Army | Private First Class | Bong Son—Bình Định province—South Vietnamnear Bong Son, Bình Định province | September 21, 1966 | Rushed an enemy machine gun to distract the enemy so that his wounded comrades could be moved to safety |
| — | Robert D. Law † | Army | Specialist Four | Phước Thành province | February 22, 1969 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | Howard V. Lee | Marine Corps | Captain | Cam Lo—South Vietnamnear Cam Lộ | August 8, 1966 – August 9, 1966 | Volunteered to reinforce a squad of Marines who were under heavy fire. He assumed command and directed the defense of their position and despite being wounded by a grenade, he continued to direct them, saving many lives. |
| — | Milton A. Lee † | Army | Private First Class | Phu Bai—Thừa Thiên province—South Vietnamnear Phu Bai, Thừa Thiên province | April 26, 1968 | Exposed himself to enemy fire and overran an enemy squad, continuing to provide cover fire until the lead element had overrun a second enemy squad and he fell mortally wounded. |
| — | Robert R. Leisy † | Army | Second Lieutenant | Phước Long province | December 2, 1969 | Sacrificed his life to shield another soldier from a rocket blast, absorbing the full blast with his body. He continued to direct his men and refused treatment until his men were taken care of. |
| | Peter C. Lemon | Army | Specialist Four | Firebase Illingworth, Tây Ninh province | April 1, 1970 | The only Canadian recipient since World War II, and one of only four since 1900. He received it for exposing himself to enemy gunfire multiple times. While wounded he secured a machine gun and fired on the enemy, refusing evacuation until his injured comrades were taken. |
| | Matthew Leonard † | Army | Platoon Sergeant | Suoi Da—South Vietnamnear Suoi Da, South Vietnam | February 28, 1967 | After being shot in the hand by a sniper, he exposed himself to enemy gunfire and charged a machine gun, killing the enemy there. He was shot multiple times and propped himself up against a tree and continued to fire until he succumbed to his injuries. |
| | John L. Levitow | Air Force | Airman First Class | Long Binh Army post, South Vietnam | February 24, 1969 | For diving on top of a flare to eject it from an aircraft, saving the aircraft and the entire crew on board |
| | Angelo J. Liteky | Army | Captain | Phuoc—Lac—Biên Hòa province—South Vietnamnear Phuoc-Lac, Biên Hòa province | December 6, 1967 | Was a Chaplain who carried 20 wounded men from the battlefield under heavy fire. He later renounced his medal of honor. |
| | Gary L. Littrell | Army | Sergeant First Class | Kon Tum province | April 4, 1970 – April 8, 1970 | Risked his life to direct artillery and air support by day and marked the unit's location by night; despite enemy fire he led his men against the enemy until help arrived. |
| | James E. Livingston | Marine Corps | Captain | Dai Do, South Vietnam | May 2, 1968 | Although twice painfully wounded by grenade fragments, he refused medical treatment and courageously led his men in the destruction of over 100 mutually supporting bunkers, driving the remaining enemy from their positions, and relieving the pressure on the stranded Marine company. Also while wounded and in the open, continued to give orders to his troops to repel the enemy. He refused to be evacuated until his men were safe. |
| | Donald R. Long † | Army | Sergeant | South Vietnam | June 30, 1966 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | Carlos J. Lozada † | Army | Private First Class | Đắk Tô | November 20, 1967 | For providing covering fire at the cost of his own life during a withdrawal |
| | Andre C. Lucas † | Army | Lieutenant Colonel | Fire Support Base Ripcord | July 1, 1970 – July 23, 1970 | For extraordinary heroism while serving as the commanding officer of the 2d Battalion |
| | Allen J. Lynch | Army | Specialist Four | My An—Bien Dinh province—South Vietnamnear Mỹ An (2), Bình Định province | December 15, 1967 | For providing critical aid to wounded comrades under heavy fire |
| | Walter J. Marm Jr. | Army | Second Lieutenant | Ia Drang Valley—South Vietnamnear Ia Drang Valley | November 14, 1965 | For actions in Ia Drang, in which he led a successful one man assault on an enemy hill |
| | Gary W. Martini † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Bình Sơn | April 21, 1967 | Sacrificed his life to move a wounded comrade to safety |
| | Larry L. Maxam † | Marine Corps | Corporal | Cam Lộ District, Quảng Trị province | February 2, 1968 | Sacrificed his life to single-handedly repel a large enemy force from attacking through a weakened perimeter for over 1½ hours. |
| | Finnis D. McCleery | Army | Platoon Sergeant | Quảng Tín province | May 14, 1968 | Although wounded in an assault on a bunker complex, he continued attacking until wounded a second time by shrapnel eliminating the enemy from the hill |
| | James C. McCloughan | Army | Private First Class | Quảng Nam province | May 13, 1969–May 15, 1969 | Continued to treat wounded and help repulse enemy assault although himself wounded |
| — | Phill G. McDonald † | Army | Private First Class | Kon Tum City—South Vietnamnear Kon Tum City | June 7, 1968 | Was killed after attacking the enemy multiple times with grenades and rifle fire |
| | John J. McGinty III | Marine Corps | Staff Sergeant | Quảng Trị province | July 18, 1966 | Found a separated unit of twenty wounded men, reloaded their weapons and directed their fire at the enemy until they attempted a counter-attack. He then directed fire at the enemy and although wounded adjusted artillery and air strikes within fifty yards of his position until the enemy had been repelled. |
| — | Ray McKibben † | Army | Sergeant | near Song Mao, South Vietnam | December 8, 1968 | Single-handedly destroyed an enemy bunker, rescued a wounded comrade from under heavy fire, and attacked and destroyed two more bunkers by himself before being mortally wounded while attacking a fourth bunker. |
| | Thomas J. McMahon † | Army | Specialist Four | Quảng Tín province | March 19, 1969 | While attempting to rescue three wounded soldiers despite heavy enemy fire, he was able to carry two of the men to safety but was killed while trying to rescue the third. |
| | David H. McNerney | Army | First Sergeant | Polei Doc, South Vietnam | March 22, 1967 | Despite being wounded after his unit was attacked, he assumed command of the unit when the company commander was killed, organized the defense, and helped arrange a helicopter evacuation of the wounded. He refused his own medical evacuation and instead stayed with the company until a new commander arrived. |
| | Edgar L. McWethy Jr. † | Army | Specialist Five | Bình Định province | June 21, 1967 | Repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to treat his wounded comrades despite being wounded three times himself and continued to help his fellow soldiers until suffering a fourth and fatal wound. |
| | Don L. Michael † | Army | Specialist Four | South Vietnam | April 8, 1967 | Single-handedly destroyed a Viet Cong bunker and was then killed while chasing the retreating enemy soldiers. |
| — | Franklin D. Miller | Army | Staff Sergeant | Kon Tum province | January 5, 1970 | He single-handedly held off an enemy assault, arranged for a helicopter extraction of his unit, and again fought off the enemy alone until relief arrived, although wounded himself. |
| | Gary L. Miller † | Army | First Lieutenant | Bình Dương province | February 16, 1969 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | Robert J. Modrzejewski | Marine Corps | Captain | South Vietnam | July 15, 1966 – July 18, 1966 | Led his men in the seizure of enemy ammunition and supplies and continued to counterattack the enemy using artillery fire and air support. |
| | Ferenc Zoltán Molnár † | Army | Staff Sergeant | Kon Tum province | May 20, 1967 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | James H. Monroe † | Army | Private First Class | Bồng Sơn, Hoài Nhơn District | February 16, 1967 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | William D. Morgan † | Marine Corps | Corporal | Quảng Trị province | February 25, 1969 | For creating a diversion at the expense of his own life and providing his squad time to evacuate two wounded soldiers |
| | Charles B. Morris | Army | Sergeant | South Vietnam | June 29, 1966 | Continued to lead his squad, fight the enemy, and help the wounded despite being wounded himself four separate times. |
| | Melvin Morris | Army | Staff Sergeant | near Chi Lăng | September 17, 1969 | For his courageous actions while serving as Commander of a Strike Force drawn from Company D, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, during combat operations against an armed enemy. |
| — | Robert C. Murray † | Army | Staff Sergeant | Hiep Duc—South Vietnamnear Hiệp Đức | June 7, 1970 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| — | David P. Nash † | Army | Private First Class | Giao Duc District, Dinh Tuong province | December 29, 1968 | For covering a grenade with his body in order to protect those around him |
| — | Hugh R. Nelson Jr. † | Army | Captain | Mộc Hóa district | June 5, 1966 | For rescuing and covering his wounded crew with his body |
| | Melvin E. Newlin † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Quảng Nam province | July 4, 1967 | Killed while single-handedly attacking an enemy force, breaking up and disorganizing the enemy |
| | Thomas P. Noonan Jr. † | Marine Corps | Lance Corporal | near Vandegrift Combat Base, Quảng Trị province | February 5, 1969 | Killed while attempting to rescue a wounded man |
| | Thomas R. Norris | Navy | Lieutenant | Quảng Trị province | April 10, 1972 – April 13, 1972 | Rescued two downed pilots deep within heavily controlled enemy territory |
| | Michael J. Novosel | Army | Chief Warrant Officer | Kien Tuong province | October 2, 1969 | For the rescue of 29 American and South Vietnamese soldiers from a heavily fortified enemy training area without any cover or gunship support. |
| | Milton L. Olive, III † | Army | Private First Class | Phu Cuong | October 22, 1965 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body. The first African American Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War. |
| | Kenneth L. Olson † | Army | Specialist Four | Long An | May 13, 1968 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body |
| | Robert E. O'Malley | Marine Corps | Corporal | An Cu'ong—South Vietnamnear An Cu'ong 2, South Vietnam | August 18, 1965 | Risked his life and led his men to repeatedly attack the enemy, assist another Marine unit that had inflicted heavy casualties and led his unit to a helicopter for evacuation. |
| — | David G. Ouellet † | Navy | Seaman | Mekong River | March 6, 1967 | Placed himself between an enemy grenade and his shipmates, absorbing most of the blast fragments with his own body in order to protect his shipmates from injury and death. |
| | Robert M. Patterson | Army | Specialist Four | near La Chu, Thừa Thiên province | May 6, 1968 | During a firefight he single-handedly destroyed a series of enemy bunkers |
| | Joe C. Paul † | Marine Corps | Lance Corporal | Chu Lai—South Vietnamnear Chu Lai | August 18, 1965 | Killed while defending his wounded comrades from the enemy and delivered effective suppressive fire in order to divert the Viet Cong long enough to allow the casualties to be evacuated. |
| | Richard A. Penry | Army | Sergeant | Bình Tuy province | January 31, 1970 | Helped to organize defenses and repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to retrieve supplies and return fire. Voluntarily left the perimeter, set up a guiding beacon, established the priorities for evacuation and successively carried 18 wounded men to the extraction site. After all wounded had been evacuated he joined another platoon and assisted in pursuing the enemy. |
| | William T. Perkins Jr. † | Marine Corps | Corporal | Quảng Trị province | October 12, 1967 | Sacrificed himself by smothering an enemy grenade with his body to save the lives of three fellow Marines and is the only combat photographer to have received the Medal of Honor. |
| | Lawrence D. Peters † | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Quảng Tín province | September 4, 1967 | After being struck by enemy mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire he continuously fought and led his men against the enemy until dying from his wounds. |
| — | Danny J. Petersen † | Army | Specialist Four | Tây Ninh province | January 9, 1970 | Repeatedly exposed himself and his armored personnel carrier to enemy fire in order to protect the other soldiers of his unit and after his vehicle was disabled, he stayed behind and was killed while providing covering fire so others could withdraw. |
| | Jimmy W. Phipps † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | near An Hoa Combat Base | May 27, 1969 | Sacrificed himself to save others by smothering an enemy grenade with his body |
| | Larry S. Pierce † | Army | Sergeant | Ben Cat—South Vietnamnear Bến Cát | September 20, 1965 | Sacrificed himself to save others by smothering an enemy grenade with his body |
| | William H. Pitsenbarger † | Air Force | Airman First Class | Cam My—South Vietnamnear Cẩm Mỹ | April 11, 1966 | For refusing evacuation while tending wounded and defending the unit's position. Originally awarded the Air Force Cross, was upgraded to Medal of Honor by Congress in 2000, after review of his actions. |
| | Richard A. Pittman | Marine Corps | Lance Corporal | Demilitarized Zone—South Vietnamnear the Demilitarized Zone | July 24, 1966 | Risked his life to assist a group of Marines who had been attacked by a larger enemy force |
| | Riley L. Pitts † | Army | Captain | Ap Dong | October 31, 1967 | Killed after attacking an enemy force with rifle fire and grenades. Was the first African American commissioned officer to be awarded the Medal of Honor. |
| | Stephen W. Pless | Marine Corps | Captain | Quang Nai—South Vietnamnear Quảng Ngãi | August 19, 1967 | For rescuing a group of surrounded American troops with his helicopter |
| — | William D. Port † | Army | Private First Class | Que Son Valley, Quảng Tín province | January 12, 1968 | Rescued a wounded comrade and then smothered the blast of an enemy-thrown grenade with his body to protect other soldiers. He survived the blast, but was seriously wounded and captured by the enemy dying while a prisoner of war ten months later. |
| — | Robert L. Poxon † | Army | First Lieutenant | Tây Ninh province | June 2, 1969 | Was wounded when attempting to rescue a wounded soldier and despite his injuries, led his platoon and succeeded in destroying an enemy bunker before being killed. |
| | William R. Prom † | Marine Corps | Lance Corporal | near An Hoa Combat Base | February 9, 1969 | Sacrificed his life to direct fire at the enemy at point blank range |
| — | Robert J. Pruden † | Army | Staff Sergeant | Quảng Ngãi province | November 29, 1969 | Sacrificed himself to ensure evacuation helicopters were able to withdraw his team. |
| | Laszlo Rabel † | Army | Staff Sergeant | Bình Định province | November 13, 1968 | For falling on a grenade to save his comrades |
| | Alfred V. Rascon | Army | Specialist Four | South Vietnam | March 16, 1966 | Specialist Rascon's showed extraordinary valor in the face of deadly enemy fire, heroism in rescuing the wounded, and gallantry by repeatedly risking his own life for his fellow soldiers. |
| | David R. Ray † | Navy | Hospital Corpsman Second Class | Quảng Nam province | March 19, 1969 | For gallantry and intrepidity in defending his position and giving aid to wounded Marines |
| | Ronald E. Ray | Army | First Lieutenant | Ia Drang Valley | June 19, 1966 | For eliminating enemy fire with available weapons and shielding his men from an enemy grenade |
| | Frank S. Reasoner † | Marine Corps | First Lieutenant | Da Nang—South Vietnamnear Da Nang | July 12, 1965 | For attempting to rescue one of his wounded men on a Marine recon patrol |
| — | Anund C. Roark † | Army | Sergeant | Kon Tum province | May 16, 1968 | Sacrificed his life to save his fellow soldiers by smothering a grenade with his body |
| | Gordon R. Roberts | Army | Specialist Four | Thừa Thiên province | July 11, 1969 | For efforts in retrieving wounded personnel and defending his platoon |
| — | James W. Robinson Jr. † | Army | Sergeant | South Vietnam | April 11, 1966 | Sacrificed his life to destroy an enemy bunker and protect several of his fellow soldiers |
| | Louis R. Rocco | Army | Sergeant First Class | northeast of Katum | May 24, 1970 | Distinguished himself when he volunteered to accompany a medical evacuation team on an urgent mission to evacuate eight critically wounded Army of the Republic of Vietnam personnel. |
| | Jose Rodela | Army | Sergeant First Class | Phước Long province | September 1, 1969 | Repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to attend to the fallen and eliminate an enemy rocket position. |
| | Charles C. Rogers | Army | Lieutenant Colonel | Fishhook, near Cambodian border | November 1, 1968 | Risked his life to repel the enemy and protect his soldiers during an enemy assault on his firebase. |
| | Gary M. Rose | Army | Captain | Chavan, Laos | September 11, 1970 – September 14, 1970 | Risked his life to treat 60–70 personnel, despite being wounded multiple times during Operation Tailwind. |
| | Eurípides Rubio † | Army | Captain | Tây Ninh province | November 8, 1966 | For efforts in directing an air strike on enemy forces |
| | Leslie H. Sabo Jr. † | Army | Specialist Four | Near Se San Village, Cambodia | May 10, 1970 | For heroic action when his platoon was ambushed by North Vietnamese forces near the village of Se San in eastern Cambodia. |
| | Héctor Santiago-Colón † | Army | Specialist Four | Quảng Trị province | June 28, 1968 | For falling on a grenade to save his comrades and is one of five Puerto Ricans who have been posthumously presented with the Medal of Honor. |
| — | Ruppert L. Sargent † | Army | First Lieutenant | Hậu Nghĩa province | March 15, 1967 | On that day, while in Hậu Nghĩa province in the Republic of Vietnam, Sargent threw himself on two enemy hand grenades, sacrificing himself but saving the lives of two men nearby. |
| | Clarence E. Sasser | Army | Private First Class | Dinh Tuong province | January 10, 1968 | Risked his life to save several wounded soldiers and although severely wounded himself continued treating their wounds for five hours until they were rescued. |
| | William W. Seay † | Army | Sergeant | Ap Nhi—South Vietnamnear Ap Nhi | August 25, 1968 | When his convoy came under attack that day, near Ap Nhi in the Republic of Vietnam, Seay twice left his protective cover to toss enemy-thrown hand grenades back at the North Vietnamese forces. Despite being wounded in the wrist, he again exposed himself to enemy fire and was fatally shot. |
| | Daniel J. Shea † | Army | Private First Class | Quảng Trị province | May 14, 1969 | Killed by enemy gunfire after assisting in the defeat of an attacking enemy force |
| | Marvin G. Shields † | Navy | Construction Mechanic Third Class | Đồng Xoài | June 10, 1965 | Killed after rescuing several wounded, assisting in destroying an enemy gun emplacement and resupplying ammunition to his unit |
| | Lance P. Sijan † | Air Force | Captain | North Vietnam | November 9, 1967 | For actions as a prisoner of war from November 9, 1967 – January 22, 1968 |
| — | Clifford C. Sims † | Army | Staff Sergeant | Huế—South Vietnamnear Huế | February 21, 1968 | Sims threw himself onto a triggered booby-trap device. He was killed in the ensuing explosion, but was successful in protecting the members of his squad. |
| | Walter K. Singleton † | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Gio Linh District, Quảng Trị province | March 24, 1967 | Killed in an attack where he killed eight of the enemy and drove the remainder away |
| | George K. Sisler † | Army | First Lieutenant | South Vietnam | February 7, 1967 | Organized the defense, rescued a wounded soldier, and single-handedly attacked an enemy position before being killed |
| — | Donald S. Skidgel † | Army | Sergeant | Song Be—South Vietnamnear Sông Bé | September 14, 1969 | Killed attempting to draw enemy fire away from his convoy after manning a machine gun in his vehicle |
| | Donald P. Sloat † | Army | Specialist Four | Quảng Tín province | January 17, 1970 | Killed using his body to shield comrades from a grenade blast |
| | Larry E. Smedley † | Marine Corps | Corporal | Quảng Nam province | December 21, 1967 | Assaulted the enemy with grenades and rifle fire until dying from his wounds |
| | Elmelindo R. Smith † | Army | Staff Sergeant | South Vietnam | February 16, 1967 | Although wounded by a rocket he led his platoon in a patrol when enemy forces attacked with machine gun, mortars and rocket fire. |
| | James M. Sprayberry | Army | First Lieutenant | South Vietnam | April 25, 1968 | Led a patrol which rescued men who had been wounded and cut off from the rest of the company and in the process destroyed several enemy bunkers and machine gun emplacements. |
| — | Russell A. Steindam † | Army | First Lieutenant | Tây Ninh province | February 1, 1970 | For defending company from an enemy grenade |
| — | Jimmy G. Stewart † | Army | Staff Sergeant | South Vietnam | May 18, 1966 | Sacrificed himself to hold his company's position against the enemy allowing others to come to his aid and repel the enemy force |
| | James B. Stockdale | Navy | Captain | Hỏa Lò Prison, Hanoi, North Vietnam | September 4, 1969 | For action as a prisoner of war |
| — | Lester R. Stone Jr. † | Army | Sergeant | west of Landing Zone Liz | March 3, 1969 | Sacrificed his life by manning a machine gun in an exposed position during an enemy attack, allowing others to rescue a wounded comrade |
| — | Mitchell W. Stout † | Army | Sergeant | Khe Gio Bridge | March 12, 1970 | Sacrificed his life to save others by smothering a grenade with his body |
| — | Robert F. Stryker † | Army | Specialist Four | Loc Ninh—South Vietnamnear Lộc Ninh | November 7, 1967 | Sacrificed his life to save several fellow soldiers by smothering a claymore mine with his body |
| | Kenneth E. Stumpf | Army | Specialist Four | Duc Pho—South Vietnamnear Đức Phổ | April 25, 1967 | Risked his life by rescuing three injured squad members and then led his squad to attack and destroy a heavily fortified enemy bunker complex. |
| | Jon E. Swanson † | Army | Captain | Cambodia | February 26, 1971 | Sacrificed his life by flying his aircraft dangerously slow and low to destroy enemy machine gun emplacements until his aircraft was shot down. |
| | James A. Taylor | Army | First Lieutenant | Que Son—South Vietnamwest of Quế Sơn | November 9, 1967 | Risked his life to save the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers |
| | Karl G. Taylor Sr. † | Marine Corps | Staff Sergeant | Dodge City, Quảng Nam province | December 8, 1968 | Sacrificed his life to save the lives of several Marines by taking out an enemy bunker |
| | Larry Taylor | Army | First Lieutenant | Bình Dương province | June 12, 1969 | AH-1 Cobra pilot who rescued four soldiers under enemy fire |
| | Brian M. Thacker | Army | First Lieutenant | Kon Tum province | March 31, 1971 | Risked his own life to allow his unit to escape |
| | Michael E. Thornton | Navy | Engineman Second Class | Quảng Trị province | October 31, 1972 | Saved the life of his superior officer and allowed the other members of his patrol to escape |
| | Leo K. Thorsness | Air Force | Major | over North Vietnam | April 19, 1967 | Risked his life to assist in the rescue of three downed aviators |
| | Jay R. Vargas | Marine Corps | Captain | Dai Do | April 30, 1968 – May 2, 1968 | Vargas requested that his mother's name, M. Sando Vargas Jr., be engraved on the medal and added to the rolls. |
| | Humbert R. Versace † | Army | Captain | Cà Mau | October 29, 1963 – September 26, 1965 | Was executed by the Viet Cong while a prisoner of war after repeated escape attempts, torture and maltreatment |
| | John E. Warren Jr. † | Army | First Lieutenant | Tây Ninh province | January 14, 1969 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body |
| | Charles J. Watters † | Army | Major | Battle of Dak To | November 19, 1967 | Was a chaplain who sacrificed himself to rescue several wounded men |
| — | Dale E. Wayrynen † | Army | Specialist Four | Quảng Ngãi province | May 18, 1967 | For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him |
| | Lester W. Weber † | Marine Corps | Lance Corporal | Quảng Nam province | February 23, 1969 | After fighting back four enemy soldiers and causing 11 others to retreat was killed by a fifth enemy soldier |
| | Gary G. Wetzel | Army | Private First Class | Ap dong An—South Vietnamnear Ap Dong An | January 8, 1968 | Although losing his arm and repeatedly losing consciousness from loss of blood after the helicopter he was on was shot down he fought back an enemy gun emplacement and assisted in the rescue of a fallen officer. |
| | Roy M. Wheat † | Marine Corps | Lance Corporal | Dien Ban District, Quảng Nam province | August 11, 1967 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a mine with his body |
| | Jerry W. Wickam † | Army | Corporal | Loc Ninh—South Vietnamnear Lộc Ninh | January 6, 1968 | Killed after repeatedly attacking and defeating the enemy |
| | Hilliard A. Wilbanks † | Air Force | Captain | Da Lat—South Vietnamnear Da Lat | February 24, 1967 | Distinguished himself by realizing that Army Rangers were walking into an ambush and, with no air support close by and no radio communication with the Rangers, he sacrificed his life to alert the Rangers of the danger. |
| — | Louis E. Willett † | Army | Private First Class | Kon Tum province | February 15, 1967 | For twice providing covering fire for his squad's withdrawal despite heavy enemy fire |
| — | Charles Q. Williams | Army | Second Lieutenant | Đồng Xoài | June 9, 1965 – June 10, 1965 | After a group of enemy insurgents attacked he organized a defense and repelled the enemy throughout the night |
| | Dewayne T. Williams † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Quảng Nam province | September 18, 1968 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body |
| | James E. Williams | Navy | Boatswain's Mate First Class | Mekong River | October 31, 1966 | Against overwhelming odds, several times Williams led his PBRs (Patrol Boats, River) against concentrations of enemy junks and sampans. As a result of the three-hour battle, the American naval force killed numerous Viet Cong guerrillas, destroyed over fifty vessels, and disrupted a major enemy logistic operation. |
| | Alfred M. Wilson † | Marine Corps | Private First Class | Quảng Trị province | March 3, 1969 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body |
| | David F. Winder † | Army | Private First Class | South Vietnam | May 13, 1970 | Sacrificed his life in an attempt to assist a wounded soldier |
| | Kenneth L. Worley † | Marine Corps | Lance Corporal | Bo Ban, Quảng Nam province | August 12, 1968 | Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body |
| | Raymond R. Wright | Army | Specialist Four | Ap Bac Zone | May 2, 1967 | Along with another soldier attacked and defeated multiple enemy bunkers |
| | Maximo Yabes † | Army | First Sergeant | Phu Hoa Dong—South Vietnamnear Phu Hoa Dong | February 26, 1967 | Used his body as a shield to protect others in a bunker, moved two wounded men to a safer position where they could be given medical treatment and destroyed an enemy machine gun position before being killed. |
| | Rodney J. T. Yano † | Army | Sergeant First Class | Biên Hòa—South Vietnamnear Biên Hòa | January 1, 1969 | For sacrificing his life to save the other members of his aircrew |
| — | Gordon D. Yntema † | Army | Sergeant | Thang Binh—South Vietnamnear Thăng Bình | January 16, 1968 – January 18, 1968 | Defended several fallen comrades and forced the Vietnamese to kill him rather than be captured. |
| | Gerald O. Young | Air Force | Captain | Khe Sanh | November 9, 1967 | Distinguished himself while serving as a helicopter rescue crew commander |
| — | Marvin R. Young † | Army | Staff Sergeant | Ben Cui—South Vietnamnear Bến Củi | August 21, 1968 | For sacrificing his life so his unit could escape |
| — | Fred W. Zabitosky | Army | Staff Sergeant | | February 19, 1968 | Zabitosky directed the defense until rescue helicopters arrived, and when the helicopter that was to extract him from the battlefield crashed, he ignored his own injuries to save the downed craft's pilot. |

## Unknown soldier

The unknown soldier from the Vietnam War who was buried in the Tomb of the Unknowns was authorized a Medal of Honor and in 1998 was identified as 1st Lieutenant Michael Blassie, USAF. After DNA testing confirmed his identity, the remains were removed from the tomb and returned to Blassie's family, but the Medal of Honor did not transfer with him. It remains awarded to "the unknown soldier" as a tribute to the war dead who have not yet been identified. The Blassie family requested that the Medal of Honor be granted to him but the request was denied by the Department of Defense.