Medal of Honor

From USNA Virtual Memorial Hall


This page is for alumni who were awarded the Medal of Honor and who are also remembered in Memorial Hall for their death in combat or an operational loss. For a full list of all Naval Academy alumni awarded the medal go to this page.

From Military Awards for Valor:

MOH.jpg

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that may be awarded by the United States government. It is presented by the President of the United States, in the name of Congress, and is conferred only upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty:

  • While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States;
  • While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
  • While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

There are three distinct versions (one for the Army, one for the Air Force, and one for the Navy, the Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard).



1909 Van Valkenburgh LB.jpg
Franklin Van Valkenburgh
Class of 1909

Captain, US Navy

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

December 7, 1941 (53 years old)

Medal of Honor, KIA, WWII, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona (BB 39), Ship Namesake, Ship






1914 Rooks LB.jpg
Albert Rooks
Class of 1914

Captain, US Navy

Walla Walla, Washington

March 1, 1942 (50 years old)

Medal of Honor, KIA, WWII, Battle of Sunda Strait, Pacific, USS Houston (CA 30), Ship Namesake, Ship






1926 Gilmore LB.jpg
Howard Gilmore
Class of 1926

Commander, US Navy

New Orleans, Louisiana

February 7, 1943 (40 years old)

Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, KIA, WWII, Pacific, USS Growler (SS 215), Ship Namesake, Submarine










1948 Reem LB.jpg
Robert Reem
Class of 1948

2nd Lieutenant, US Marine Corps

Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

November 6, 1950 (25 years old)

Medal of Honor, KIA, Korea, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, US Marine Corps, Ground, USNA 3rd Company