They were living legends in a time when turmoil between the nation and American Indian tribes could make or break the direction of our country’s future. Army officer, was recommended for the Medal of Honor three times while fighting two different adversaries and practically didn’t have an off-day from soldiering for 35 years across the American West! He served under George Armstrong Custer and alongside the legendary lawman “Bat” Masterson. Photo courtesy of War History Online.įrank Baldwin, a career U.S. Army Frank Baldwin in military dress (left), and also shown with Buffalo Bill in 1891. Remarkably, of the 19 veterans to earn the Medal twice, five of them were born in Ireland, which has a strong representation with 258 Irish-born U.S. Those that were recognized for their peacetime heroism now are awarded the Soldier’s Medal (Army) or the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. Regulations for the Medal of Honor today do not allow for two awards to be given for the same action.
The most recent double Medal of Honor recipient earned the medal almost exactly 100 years ago in 1918 during World War I. Army officers were granted eligibility in 1863, and then it was open to everyone in the military. Added to that, the Medal of Honor was initially confined to only enlisted Navy sailors and U.S.
Navy is the most awarded branch with eight sailors, some receiving the award not for combat heroism but life-saving actions. Fourteen have been awarded the medal for two separate events.
Nineteen servicemen have been awarded the Medal of Honor twice.