List of foreign-born Medal of Honor recipients facts for kids

The Medal of Honor is the highest award a member of the United States armed forces can receive. It was created during the American Civil War. To earn this medal, a person must show incredible bravery and put their own life at risk while fighting an enemy of the United States. Because of how special this medal is, it's often given to people after they have died.

Even though only members of the U.S. military can get the Medal of Honor, you don't have to be a U.S. citizen to receive it. Since the American Civil War, many people born outside the United States have earned this medal. For example, Pedro Cano and Jesus S. Duran received their medals in 2014 for their brave actions during World War II and the Vietnam War. In the past, especially in the 1800s and early 1900s, many foreign-born people received the medal because many immigrants joined the U.S. military.

Brave Heroes from the American Civil War

The American Civil War was a very difficult time in U.S. history. Many soldiers showed incredible courage. Here are some of the foreign-born heroes who earned the Medal of Honor during this war.

      This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Heroes of the Indian Wars

The Indian Wars were a series of conflicts between the U.S. government and Native American tribes. Many soldiers, including those born in other countries, showed great bravery during these times.

      This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Korean Expedition Heroes

The Korean Expedition was a U.S. military action in Korea in 1871. Here are some of the brave individuals who received the Medal of Honor during this event.

Spanish–American War Heroes

The Spanish–American War took place in 1898. Many foreign-born individuals served bravely and were awarded the Medal of Honor.

Philippine–American War Heroes

The Philippine–American War was fought from 1899 to 1902. Many soldiers earned the Medal of Honor for their actions during this conflict.

      This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

World War I Heroes

World War I was a major global conflict. Many brave individuals from different countries served in the U.S. military and earned the Medal of Honor.

      This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Image	Name	Country of birth	Rank	Branch	Place of action	Date of action	Notes/Reference
Corporal Jake Allex	Allex, JakeJake Allex	Serbia	Corporal	Army	Chipilly, France	August 9, 1918	Born as Aleksa Mandušić
Johannes S. Anderson	Anderson, Johannes S.Johannes S. Anderson	Finland	First Sergeant	Army	Consenvoye, France	October 8, 1918
Captain Louis Cukela	Cukela, LouisLouis Cukela	Croatia	Sergeant	Marine Corps	Villers-Cotterêts, France	July 18, 1918	Born as Vjekoslav Lujo Čukela; double MOH recipient
George Dilboy	Dilboy, GeorgeGeorge Dilboy*	Ottoman Empire	Private First Class	Army	Belleau, France	July 18, 1918
Matej Kocak	Kocak, MatejMatej Kocak*	Slovakia	Sergeant	Marine Corps	Soissons, France	July 18, 1918	Double MOH recipient
John C. Latham	Latham, John C.John C. Latham	England, United Kingdom	Sergeant	Army	Le Catelet, France	September 29, 1918
Berger Loman	Loman, BergerBerger Loman	Norway	Private	Army	Consenvoye, France	October 9, 1918
Joseph H. Thompson	Thompson, Joseph H.Joseph H. Thompson	Ireland	Major	Army	Apremont, France	October 1, 1918
Michael Valente	Valente, MichaelMichael Valente	Italy	Private	Army	Ronssoy, France	September 29, 1918
Ludovicus M. M. Van Iersel	Van Iersel, Ludovicus M. M.Ludovicus M. M. Van Iersel	Netherlands	Sergeant	Army	Mouzon, France	November 9, 1918

World War II Heroes

World War II was a massive global conflict. Many individuals, including those born outside the U.S., showed extraordinary courage and earned the Medal of Honor.

      This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Image	Name	Country of birth	Rank	Branch	Place of action	Date of action	Notes/Reference
Pedro Cano	Cano, PedroPedro Cano*	Mexico	Private	Army	Schevenhütte, Germany	December 2, 1944 – December 3, 1944
	Craig, RobertRobert Craig*	Scotland, United Kingdom	Second Lieutenant	Army	Sicily, Italy	July 11, 1943
Marcario Garcia	Garcia, MarcarioMarcario Garcia	Mexico	Staff Sergeant	Army	Grosshau, Germany	November 27, 1944
	Gibson, Eric G.Eric G. Gibson*	Sweden	Technician Fifth Grade	Army	Isola Bella, Italy	January 28, 1944
Silvestre S. Herrera	Herrera, Silvestre S.Silvestre S. Herrera	Mexico	Private First Class	Army	Mertzwiller, France	March 15, 1945
Charles A. MacGillivary	MacGillivary, Charles A.Charles A. MacGillivary	Canada	Sergeant	Army	Woelfling, France	January 1, 1945
Douglas A. Munro	Munro, Douglas A.Douglas A. Munro*	Canada	Signalman First Class	Coast Guard	Guadalcanal	September 27, 1942	Born to an American father; only Coast Guard MOH recipient
Peter Tomich	Tomich, PeterPeter Tomich*	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Chief Petty Officer Watertender	Navy	Pearl Harbor, Hawaii	December 7, 1941	Born as Petar Herceg

Korean War Heroes

The Korean War was fought in the early 1950s. Here are some of the foreign-born heroes who received the Medal of Honor during this conflict.

      This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Image	Name	Country of birth	Rank	Branch	Place of action	Date of action	Notes/Reference
John K. Koelsch	Koelsch, John K.John K. Koelsch*	England, United Kingdom	Lieutenant Junior Grade	Navy	North Korea	July 3, 1951	Born to American parents
Tibor Rubin	Rubin, TiborTibor Rubin	Hungary	Corporal	Army	South Korea North Korea	July 23, 1950 – April 20, 1953

Vietnam War Heroes

The Vietnam War was a long conflict in Southeast Asia. Several foreign-born service members were recognized with the Medal of Honor for their bravery.

      This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Image	Name	Country of birth	Rank	Branch	Place of action	Date of action	Notes/Reference
	Albanese, LewisLewis Albanese*	Italy	Private First Class	Army	Republic of Vietnam	December 1, 1966
Jon R. Cavaiani	Cavaiani, Jon R.Jon R. Cavaiani	Ireland	Staff Sergeant	Army	Hill 950, Republic of Vietnam	December 4, 1971 – December 5, 1971
Jesus S. Duran	Duran, Jesus S.Jesus S. Duran*	Mexico	Specialist Fourth Class	Army	Republic of Vietnam	April 10, 1969
Jose F. Jimenez	Jimenez, Jose F.Jose F. Jimenez*	Mexico	Lance Corporal	Marine Corps	Quảng Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam	August 28, 1969
Peter C. Lemon	Lemon, Peter C.Peter C. Lemon	Canada	Specialist Fourth Class	Army	Tây Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam	April 1, 1970
Laszlo Rabel	Rabel, LaszloLaszlo Rabel*	Hungary	Staff Sergeant	Army	Bình Định Province, Republic of Vietnam	May 20, 1967
Alfred V. Rascon	Rascon, Alfred V.Alfred V. Rascon	Mexico	Specialist Fourth Class	Army	Long Khánh Province, Republic of Vietnam	March 16, 1966

Afghanistan War Heroes

The Afghanistan War involved U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Here is a recent Medal of Honor recipient born outside the U.S.

Image	Name	Country of birth	Rank.	Branch	Place of action	Date of action	Notes/Reference
Florent Groberg	Groberg, FlorentFlorent Groberg	France	Captain	Army	Afghanistan	August 8, 2012

Peacetime Heroes

The Medal of Honor has also been awarded for acts of bravery during times of peace, not just during wars. These acts often involve saving lives or showing extreme courage in dangerous situations.

Unknown Soldiers Honored

Sometimes, the United States Congress has given the Medal of Honor to "Unknown Soldiers" from other countries. These special awards honor all the brave, unnamed soldiers who fought for their nations alongside the U.S.

Image	Name	Date of Award	Tomb Location	Notes/Reference
Unknown Soldier of Belgium	Unknown Soldier of Belgium		Congress Column
Unknown Soldier of France	Unknown Soldier of France	March 4, 1921	Arc de Triomphe	Act of Congress approved 4 March 1921
Unknown Soldier of Great Britain	Unknown Soldier of Great Britain	March 4, 1921	Westminster Abbey	Act of Congress approved 4 March 1921
Unknown Soldier of Italy	Unknown Soldier of Italy	October 12, 1921	Victor Emmanuel II Monument	Act of Congress approved 12 October 1921
Unknown Soldier of Romania	Unknown Soldier of Romania	June 6, 1923	Carol Park