Summary
The legacy of Army Special Operations has been forged across many battlefields and conflict zones by the deeds of courageous warriors. The actions of the thirty-six Army Special Operations Medal of Honor recipients described in this site represent the strength and fierce resolve that are central elements of our legacy. These Soldiers and their actions must be remembered and memorialized; they are exemplars for today’s ARSOF Soldier.
The pages of this site reveal the courage demonstrated by each of our Medal of Honor recipients and the overwhelming challenges they faced. This is our tribute to the Soldiers that helped forge the legacy we honor, preserve, and build upon today.
Sine Pari – Without Equal.
Criteria for Inclusion
Medal of Honor recipients included in this publication were members of the Army Special Operations community and served in SOF units at the time of the action for which they received the award. Biographies were compiled from historical documents and official personnel service records. Despite efforts to develop standardized, comprehensive biographies of each recipient, missing information in individual service records resulted in some gaps. Terminology is consistent with what was in use during soldiers’ careers. Citations are published verbatim from the official General Orders that promulgated the award.
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RECIPIENTS

SFC Christopher Celiz
Rangers
Afghanistan
12 July 2018
Posthumous

SFC Thomas Payne
Special Forces
Iraq
22 October 2015

SSG Earl Plumlee
Special Forces
Afghanistan
28 August 2013

SSG Leroy Petry
Rangers
Afghanistan
26 May 2008

SGT Matthew Williams
Special Forces
Afghanistan
6 April 2008

SSG Ronald Shurer II
Special Forces
Afghanistan
6 April 2008

SSG Robert Miller
Special Forces
Afghanistan
25 January 2008
Posthumous

SFC Randall Shughart
Special Forces
Somalia
3 October 1993
Posthumous

MSG Gary Gordon
Special Forces
Somalia
3 October 1993
Posthumous

MAJ John Duffy
Special Forces
Vietnam
14-15 April 1972

1LT Loren Hagen
Special Forces
Vietnam
7 August 1971
Posthumous

SSG Jon Cavaiani
Special Forces
Vietnam
4-5 June 1971

SGT Gary Rose
Special Forces
Laos
11–14 September 1970

SFC Gary Littrell
Rangers
Vietnam
4–8 April 1970

SGT Brian Buker
Special Forces
Vietnam
5 April 1970
Posthumous

SGT Gary Beikirch
Special Forces
Vietnam
1 April 1970

SSG Franklin Miller
Special Forces
Vietnam
5 January 1970

SSG Robert Pruden
Rangers
Vietnam
20 November 1969
Posthumous

SSG Melvin Morris
Special Forces
Vietnam
17 September 1969

SFC Jose Rodela
Special Forces
Vietnam
1 September 1969

SFC William Bryant
Special Forces
Vietnam
24 March 1969
Posthumous

SP4 Robert Law
Rangers
Vietnam
22 February 1969
Posthumous

1LT Robert Howard
Special Forces
Vietnam
30 December 1968

SSG Laszlo Rabel
Rangers
Vietnam
13 November 1968
Posthumous

SP5 John Kedenburg
Special Forces
Laos
13 June 1968
Posthumous

SSG Roy Benavidez
Special Forces
Vietnam
2 May 1968

SFC Fred Zabitosky
Special Forces
Laos
19 February 1968

SFC Eugene Ashley, Jr.
Special Forces
Vietnam
6-7 February 1968
Posthumous

SSG Drew Dix
Special Forces
Vietnam
31 January–
1 February 1968

Sgt Gordon Yntema
Special Forces
Vietnam
16-18 January 1968
Posthumous

MSG Charles Hosking, Jr.
Special Forces
Vietnam
21 March 1967
Posthumous

1LT George Sisler
Special Forces
Vietnam
7 February 1967
Posthumous

SFC Bennie Adkins
Special Forces
Vietnam
9-12 March 1966

CPT Paris Davis
Special Forces
Vietnam
17-18 July 1965

1LT Charles Williams
Special Forces
Vietnam
9-10 June 1965

CPT Roger Donlon
Special Forces
Vietnam
6 July 1964

1LT Ralph Puckett, Jr.
Rangers
North Korea
25-26 November 1950

1LT Jack Knight
Mars Task Force (Rangers)
Burma
2 February 1945
Posthumous