List of living Medal of Honor recipients There are currently 79 living recipients of the United States military ' s highest decoration , the Medal of Honor . The Medal of Honor is bestowed to any member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself " conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States . " Of the 79 living recipients , seven earned their Medals of Honor in World War II , nine in the Korean War , 54 in the Vietnam War , and nine in the War in Afghanistan . Four earned their medal while serving in the U . S . Air Force , 52 in the U . S . Army , 16 in the U . S . Marine Corps , and 7 in the U . S . Navy . The oldest recipient is Robert D . Maxwell , aged , whereas the youngest is Kyle Carpenter , aged . Three medal holders are still on active duty in the U . S . military , War in Afghanistan soldiers Leroy Petry , William D . Swenson , and Ty Carter , all of the U . S . Army . Among the recipients are former U . S . Senator Bob Kerrey and three retired generals : Patrick Henry Brady and Robert F . Foley of the Army and James E . Livingston of the Marine Corps . Medal of Honor . 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 recipient 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 . World War II . During World War II 464 United States military personnel received the Medal of Honor , 266 of them posthumously . A total of 42 Medals of Honor were presented for action in just two battles – 15 for actions during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor , and 27 for actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima . A total of 21 ( 4 . 5 % of all World War II Medals of Honor ) were received by members of the all - Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team , for actions in numerous battles across six different campaigns . Additionally , the only Medal of Honor ever presented to a member of the United States Coast Guard was received for actions during this war . Korea . During the Korean War , 136 Medals of Honor were presented for bravery in action , 98 of them posthumously . As of 2014 , nine were still living . Vietnam . During the Vietnam War , 248 Medals of Honor were received , 156 ( 62 . 9 % ) of them posthumously . Of the living recipients who received their medals for actions in the Vietnam War , 54 are alive as of 2014 . The first person to earn the Medal of Honor in this war was Roger Donlon who , on 6 July 1964 , rescued and administered first aid to several wounded soldiers and led a group against an enemy force . War in Afghanistan . The War in Afghanistan began on October 7 , 2001 and was the beginning of the War on Terrorism . The war was launched by the United States , the United Kingdom , and NATO allies in response to the September 11 , 2001 attacks . The stated purpose of the invasion was to capture Osama bin Laden , destroy al - Qaeda , and remove the Taliban regime which had provided support and safe harbor to al - Qaeda . Since 2001 , twelve American service - members have received the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan , three of them posthumously . Recently deceased . Recipients who died within the last six months are listed below .