List of Medal of Honor recipients during peacetime

Prior to World War II the Medal of Honor could be received for actions not involving direct combat with the enemy; 193 men earned the medal in this way. Most of the peacetime medals were presented to members of the United States Navy for their actions during boiler explosions, man-overboard incidents, and other hazards of naval service.

Given in the list below are the place and date of each recipient's Medal of Honor action, as well as their rank at the time of the action. A posthumous recipient is denoted by an asterisk after the recipient's name.

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War. It 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 after the recipient has been killed (posthumously).
A Medal of Honor during peacetime has not been presented since 1939.

List of recipients

Note: Notes in quotations are derived or are copied from the official Medal of Honor citation
 Image  Name  Service  Rank  Place of action  Date of action NotesNavyFor lifesaving heroism during boiler malfunctionNavyFor rescuing from drowning W. H. Moffatt, First Class Boy75px|alt=Illustration with the head of a black sailor at left, a star-shaped medal on a ribbon at right, a ship next to two men in the water, one holding the other, in the background and the words "Daniel Atkins, 1892" at bottom.NavyFor attempting to save from drowning Ensign Joseph C. BreckenridgeNavy, Marseille, FranceFor rescuing a drowning French boy who had fallen from a pier75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a white man wearing a dark jacket with four medals on the left breast and a star-shaped medal hanging from a ribbon around his neck.Navywreck site of For his actions as a diver in rescuing the crew of the sunken USS SqualusNavy, Callao Bay, PeruSaved USS Alaska from catastrophe by preventing boiler explosionNavyoff Eastport, MaineFor rescuing from drowning James Rose and John Russell, seamen of the NavyExtraordinary heroism saving ship after boiler explosionNavyExtraordinary heroism saving ship after boiler explosionNavy, Foochow, ChinaFor rescuing from drowning a Chinese man whose canoe had capsized75px|alt=Profile of a white man wearing a thick coat and tight-fitting leather aviator's cap, strapped under the chin, with goggles pushed up onto his forehead.Navyover the ArcticFor his part in what was thought to be the first successful heavier-than-air flight to the North Pole and backNavyFor attempting to save from drowning Landsman John K. SmithNavyFor heroism during the sinking of his shipNavy, San Diego, Calif.Extraordinary heroism while minimizing loss of life and material damage while saving his ship after a boiler explosionNavyFor heroism during an accident to a ship's boilerNavy, off Cowes, EnglandFor attempting to save from drowning Landsman Philip Cassidy of the NavyFor rescuing another sailor when submarine O-5 sankNavyFor actions after the accidental ignition of gunpowderNavyExtraordinary heroism saving ship after boiler explosionNavy, San Diego, Calif.For extraordinary heroism when boiler exploded on shipNavyFor rescuing from drowning James Rose and John Russell, seamen of the Navy, off Battery, New York HarborSaved Apprentice Robert Lee Robey from drowning at risk of his own lifeNavyoff Eastport, MaineFor rescuing from drowning James Rose and John Russell, seamen of the 75px|alt=White man standing on a wooden deck in front of a building, wearing white shoes, a white military suit with dark shoulder boards, and a white peaked cap with dark visor.Navyover the ArcticFor leading what was thought to be the first successful heavier-than-air flight to the North Pole and backNavyRisked his life to save others from an on-board fire75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a white man with a bushy, drooping mustache wearing a suit, vest, and tie. The portrait is surrounded by a decorative frame and an illustration of a sailing ship is at right.NavyFor saving 3 shipmates from drowningNavySaved 3 men's lives after boiler explosion, then led effort to prevent further boiler explosionNavy, Alexandria, EgyptFor rescuing from drowning Ordinary Seaman William EvansNavyDied of burns suffered while attempting to stifle a fatal munitions fire in forward gun mountNavyExtraordinary heroism in line of duty during accident to ship's boilerNavy, San Diego, Calif.For extraordinary heroism when boiler exploded on shipNavy, Halifax Harbor, Nova ScotiaFor rescuing a citizen from drowningNavyExtraordinary heroism saving ship after boiler explosionNavy, Navy Yard, New YorkHeroic attempt to save life of shipmate fallen overboard from aloft75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a white man with a neatly trimmed mustache wearing a military jacket with shoulder boards and two columns of buttons down the chest.NavyFor attempting to rescue a fellow officer from a burning plane; died from burns 4 days laterNavy, Philadelphia, Pa.For rescuing from drowning a Landsman of the USS HartfordNavy, Washington Navy YardFor rescuing from drowning Charles Taliaferro, Jack-of-the-DustNavy, off Pensacola, Fla.For extinguishing munitions fire aboard ship, preventing its lossNavy, Washington Navy YardFor rescuing from drowning Charles Taliaferro, Jack-of-the-Dust75px|alt=Head and torso of a man with a mustache and dark, thinning hair wearing a dark jacket with stripes on the upper sleeve, two round medals on the left breast, and a star-shaped medal hanging from a ribbon around his neck.Navywreck site of For his actions as a diver in rescuing the crew of the sunken USS SqualusNavyHeroic attempt to save life at seaNavy, off Honolulu, HawaiiFor rescuing a fellow diver who had become tangled in the wreckage and trapped underwaterthumb|143x143px|noneWilliam S CronanNavy, San Diego, Calif.Bravery shown during ship's boiler explosionNavy, Norfolk, Va.For assisting in rescuing a shipmate from drowningNavy, Toulon, FranceFor rescuing from drowning Coxswain Augustus OhlensenNavy, off wharf at Norfolk, Va.For rescuing from drowning Ordinary Seaman John NormanNavy, San Diego, Calif.For extraordinary heroism when boiler exploded aboard shipNavy, Shanghai, ChinaGallantly rescued shipmate from drowningNavy, Para, BrazilLeaped overboard and saved shipmate from drowningNavy, near Greytown, NicaraguaPreventing further loss of life during mass drowning75px|alt=Head of a young white man with hair combed back at the top and short on the sides, wearing a dark jacket with two columns of buttons down the chest and an anchor emblem on the upright collar.NavyDied of burns while attempting to stifle a fatal munitions fire in forward gun mountNavy, New London HarborFor jumping overboard and saving Apprentice D'Orsay from drowning75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a smiling white man wearing a dark peaked cap with the letters "U.S.N" on the front and a dark jacket with three medals on the left breast and a star-shaped medal hanging from a ribbon around his neck.Navy wreck site, off Provincetown, Mass.For rescuing a fellow diver who had become trapped underwater75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a white man with a handlebar mustache, wearing a peaked cap and a dark jacket with two rows of ribbon bars on the left breast. Several other men in similar clothing can be seen behind him.Navy, Sea of Marmora, TurkeyFor leading the rescue of passengers on the French military transport Vinh-LongNavy, Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Md.Stamping out burning particles of prematurely exploded cartridge in powder magazineNavyFor saving from drowning Landsman Wallace FebreyNavy, off Ensenada, MexicoJumping overboard, Davis rescued Seamen John Bell and George Svensson from drowningNavyFor attempting to save from drowning Ensign Joseph C. BreckenridgeNavyFor rescuing O.C. Hawthorne, Landsman for training, from drowningNavy, Callao, PeruFor rescuing from drowning William CruiseNavyFor rescuing from drowning Seaman David WalshNavyExtraordinary heroism saving ship after boiler explosionNavy, Point Zapotitlan, MexicoDisplayed valorous conduct when ship's boat capsized, drowning part of crewNavy, San Diego, Calif.For extraordinary heroism when boiler exploded on shipNavy, Navy Yard, New YorkFor trying to rescue a shipmate from drowningNavy, Marseille, FranceFor rescuing from drowning a French boy who had fallen from a pierNavyFor courage in firefighting effortsNavyCoquimbo, ChileBravery displayed by him during a fireNavy, San Diego, Calif.For extraordinary heroism when boiler exploded aboard ship75px|alt=Profile of an older white man with a full, bushy beard and wire-framed glasses wearing a military jacket with shoulder boards, many medals on the left breast, and a strap running diagonally across the chest.Armyvarious – For his lifetime of service75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a dark-haired white man with a thin, drooping mustache, wearing an unbuttoned dark jacket over a checkered shirt.NavyPacific OceanSailed 31 days in small boat to Hawaii to fetch rescuers to his marooned shipmates of the USS Saginaw stranded on Ocean IslandNavyFor attempting to rescue a shipmate from drowningNavy, Lisbon, PortugalFor rescuing a shipmate from drowningNavyRemained in engine room of his sinking ship until waist deep water extinguished boiler fires, then opened safety valvesNavy, off the Battery, New York HarborFor assisting in the rescue from drowning of R. L. RobeyMarine Corps, Montevideo, UruguayFor rescuing a shipmate from drowningNavy, San Diego, Calif.For extraordinary heroism when boiler exploded on shipNavy, near Greytown, NicaraguaPreventing further loss of life during mass drowningNavy, Newport, R.I.For rescuing from drowning William Mulcahy, Third Class BoyNavy, Hamburg HarborFor rescuing from drowning one of a party who was thrown from a shore boatNavyFor heroism in fighting fire on USS North DakotaNavyFor going over the stern during a heavy gale and cutting the fastenings of the ship's rudder chainsNavy, Naval Shipyard, Norfolk, Va.Risked his life and suffered severe burns rescuing Charles Bryan from steam-filled boiler room after accident75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a white man with wavy hair, wearing a white military jacket with shoulder boards and a winged pin on the left breast.NavyRemained at controls of damaged seaplane, thereby saving lives of aircrew membersNavyExtraordinary heroism saving ship after boiler explosionNavy, near Greytown, NicaraguaPreventing further loss of life during mass drowningNavy, Navy Yard, Mare Island, Calif.For rescuing from drowning Daniel W. Kloppen, a workmanNavy, off Santo Domingo City, Santo DomingoSaved lives of crew of USS Memphis from destruction by a tsunamiNavy, Navy Yard, New YorkFor rescuing a shipmate from drowningNavy, Delaware RiverFor rescuing one of the crew of the USS Iroquois from drowningNavyFor heroism during a boiler accidentNavyFor heroism during a boiler accident; one of only 19 two-time Medal of Honor recipientsNavyFor saving shipmates succumbing to poisonous fumes75px|alt=Head of a white man wearing a dark suit and bow tie. To the lower right of the oval-shaped portrait is an illustration of a shield covered with stars and stripes, like the American flag, and a ribbon tied around the shield.Navy, Port Mahon, MinorcaFor rescuing a shipmate from drowningNavy, Callao Bay, PeruSecond award; previously received a Medal of Honor for actions during the Civil WarNavy, Navy Yard, Mare Island, Calif.For rescuing two shipmates from drowningNavy, Port Royal, S.C.For rescuing a citizen from drowning75px|alt=A white man standing with his hands behind his back, wearing a buttoned leather coat over a shirt and tie. Behind him can be seen part of a plane with the words "Spirit of St. Louis" on the side.Army Air Corps Reservefrom New York City to Paris, France – For flying the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic OceanNavyFor heroism in fighting fire aboard his shipNavy, New Orleans, La.For rescuing from drowning N. P. Petersen, Gunner's MateNavy, Castle Garden, New YorkFor heroic conduct aboard USS Minnesota during Castle Garden immigration center fireNavy, Lisbon, PortugalFor rescuing a shipmate from drowningNavyRemained on duty in fireroom until rising waters extinguished boilersNavy, off Coasters Harbor Island, near Newport, R.I.For attempting to rescue from drowning Jabez Smith, Second Class MusicianNavyFor going over the stern during a heavy gale and cutting the fastenings of the ship's rudder chainsNavy, off Coasters Harbor Island, near Newport, R.I.For attempting to rescue from drowning Jabez Smith, Second Class Musician75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a white man with short bristly hair wearing a dark jacket with one round medal pinned to the left breast and a star-shaped medal hanging from a ribbon around his neck.Navywreck site of For his actions as a diver in rescuing the crew of the sunken USS Squalus75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a white man with combed-back hair wearing a dark jacket with stripes on the upper sleeve, one round medal pinned to the left breast, and a star-shaped medal hanging from a ribbon around his neck.Navywreck site of For his actions as a diver in rescuing the crew of the sunken USS SqualusNavy, Alexandria, EgyptFor assisting in rescuing a shipmate from drowningNavy, Monrovia, LiberiaFor rescuing from drowning Ordinary Seaman John W. PowersNavy, Shanghai, ChinaFor rescuing from drowning First Class Boy M. F. Caulan75px|alt=A man sitting cross-legged on a wooden deck, wearing a plain white suit and a white peaked cap with black visor. The number "22" is written over his image, and around him are other seated men with numbers similarly written over them.NavyEntered munitions magazine to extinguish fire with hand thrown water, then by hoseNavy, Washington Navy YardFor attempting to rescue from drowning Thomas Duncan, carpenter and calkerNavy, Genoa, ItalyFor rescuing from drowning Ordinary Seaman Hans PaulsenMarine Corps, Villefranche, FranceFor rescuing from drowning Ordinary Seaman Robert BlizzardNavy, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilFor rescuing from drowning First Class Fireman James GradyNavy, off Hampton Roads, VirginiaFor rescuing from drowning Apprentice Second Class Alfred KosminskiNavy, San Diego, Calif.For extraordinary heroism when boiler exploded aboard ship75px|alt=Illustration with the head of a black sailor at left, a star-shaped medal on a ribbon at right, a ship with a man jumping overboard and another man in the water in the background, and the words "Joseph Noil, 1872" at bottom.Navy, Norfolk, Va.For saving Boatswain J. C. Walton from drowningNavyFor rescuing injured after munitions fire in forward turretNavy, New York Navy YardFor rescuing A. A. George from drowningNavy, opposite the Norfolk Navy YardFor rescuing from drowning a young girl who had fallen overboardNavy, near Greytown, NicaraguaPreventing further loss of life during mass drowningNavyFor lifesaving efforts during sinking of USS TallapoosaNavy, Philadelphia, Pa.For rescuing from drowning an enlisted boy of the USS JuniataNavy, Hampton Roads, Va.For rescuing from drowning Gunner's Mate James WaltersNavyMare Island Naval ShipyardFor attempting to save a shipmate from drowningNavyFor attempting to rescue a shipmate from drowningMarine Corps "...for heroism and gallantry, fearlessly exposing his own life to danger for the saving of the others on the occasion of the fire on board that vessel." Served as Louis F. Theis during first enlistment.Navy, near Greytown, NicaraguaPreventing further loss of life during mass drowningNavyYokohama, JapanFor rescuing a shipmate from drowningNavy, harbor of Coquimbo, ChileFor rescuing a shipmate from drowningNavyFor heroism in fighting fire on his shipNavyFor heroism in fighting fire on his shipNavyPensacola Bay, FloridaSwam ashore through heavy gale trailing rescue line needed to resupply ship so it could raise steam and avoid strandingNavyoff New Orleans, LouisianaFor efforts to save from drowning Wellington Brocar, Landsman, of the Navy, Hampton Roads, Va.For rescuing from drowning Gunner's Mate James WaltersNavy, off Santo Domingo City, Santo DomingoScalded to death at his engine room duty while a tsunami was destroying his shipNavy, Genoa, ItalyFor rescuing from drowning Ordinary Seaman Hans PaulsenNavy, Norfolk, Va.For rescuing a shipmate from drowning75px|alt=Profile of a young white man with hair thick on top and short at the sides, wearing a dark jacket with two columns of buttons down the chest and an anchor emblem on the side of the upright collar.NavyYokohama, JapanFor rescuing a woman from the burning Grand Hotel, following an earthquakeNavy, off Coasters Harbor Island, R.I.For rescuing from drowning Second Class Boy Frank GallagherNavy, VillefrancheFor assisting in saving from drowning Seaman Charles PrinceNavyFor extinguishing munitions fire aboard ship, preventing its lossNavy, San Diego, Calif.For extraordinary heroism when boiler exploded aboard shipNavy, San Diego, Calif.Bravery shown during ship's boiler explosionNavyFor rescuing from drowning Quartermaster First Class William StevenNavy, Monrovia, LiberiaFor rescuing from drowning Ordinary Seaman John W. PowersMarine Corps, Pensacola, FloridaFor pulling a man from the wreckage of a crashed and burning seaplaneNavyFor entering compartments immediately following an explosion and rescuing injured shipmatesNavy, near Greytown, NicaraguaPreventing further loss of life during mass drowningNavy, off Rio de Janeiro, BrazilFor rescuing from drowning First Class Fireman James GradyNavy, off Para, BrazilFor rescuing from drowning Coxswain William KentNavyFor entering a compartment filled with gases and rescuing a shipmateNavy, Hampton Roads, Va.For rescuing from drowning Seaman G.H. KephartNavyharbor of Cape HaitenFor rescuing from drowning one of the crew of the NavyFor heroism in fighting fire on USS North DakotaMarine Corps, harbor of Villefranche, FranceFor rescuing from drowning Midshipman OsterhausNavy, off JamaicaFor helping rescue from drowning Watertender Peter MahoneyNavyFor heroism during sinking of his shipNavy, Newport, R.I.For rescuing from drowning Third Class Boy Francis T. PriceNavy, at Hampton Roads, Va.For assisting in saving a shipmate from drowningNavy, New York Navy YardFor rescuing from drowning A. A. GeorgeNavy, opposite the Norfolk Navy YardFor rescuing from drowning a young girl who had fallen overboardNavy, Apia, SamoaDisplayed gallantry during hurricaneNavyHeroism during sinking of his shipNavyFor rescuing a shipmate from drowningNavyMare Island, CaliforniaFor rescuing a man from drowningNavy, near Boston, Mass.For rescuing from drowning Landsman Michael DrennanNavy, Hamburg HarborFor rescuing from drowning one of a party who was thrown from a shore boatNavyRescued R. E. Daly and another injured fireman from boiler explosion despite his own facial burnsNavy, MontevideoFor attempting to save a shipmate from drowningNavy, Newport, R.I.For rescuing from drowning Third Class Boy Francis T. PriceNavy, Toulon, FranceFor rescuing from drowning Coxswain Augustus OhlensenNavyFor heroism during sinking of his shipNavyFor rescuing a shipmate from drowningNavyFor rescuing a shipmate from drowningNavy, Newport, R.I.For rescuing from drowning Captain of the Forecastle C. LorenzeNavyFor heroism in fighting fire on his shipNavyCoquimbo, ChileExtraordinary heroism during a fireNavy, off Santo Domingo City, Santo DomingoLifesaving actions during loss of his ship to a tsunamiNavyFor courage and fidelity during loss of his shipNavyFor going over the stern during a heavy gale and performing important carpenter's work upon the rudderNavy, Honolulu, HawaiiFor rescuing from drowning Landsman Thomas MoranNavy, Callao, PeruFor rescuing from drowning William Cruise75px|alt=Illustration of a man with dark hair and wearing a sailor suit, standing on a platform attached to a ship's mast and pulling strenuously on a rope. The platform and mast are severely tilted to the right, and sails, pulleys and other ropes can be seen.Navy, off the coast of GreenlandSinglehanded furled loose fore topgallant sail, preventing damage to shipNavyFor lifesaving heroism during boiler malfunction

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Peacetime