List of Jewish Medal of Honor Recipients

List Of Jewish Medal Of Honor Recipients

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. A recipient must distinguish themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. The medal is presented to the recipient by the President of the United States on behalf of the Congress.

Since it was instituted there have been 3,473 recipients; at least 27 American Jews have received the Medal of Honor for their actions starting in the American Civil War through the Vietnam War. The first two recipients were Henry Heller and David Orbansky who both received it for their actions in 1863 during the American Civil War. Samuel Gross was the only Jewish American Marine to receive the medal for his actions in Fort Riviere, Haiti. The last to receive it was Tibor Rubin in 2005, who was believed to have been overlooked due to discrimination. His medal was for his actions the Korean War in 1950, 55 years before he received the medal.

Read more about List Of Jewish Medal Of Honor Recipients:  American Jews and The Medal of Honor, American Civil War, Indian Wars, Philippines, Battle of Peking, China (Boxer Rebellion), Haiti, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, See Also

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