United States Medal of Honor Recipients Quiz

Answer: Captain Thomas W. Custer

Thomas Custer earned both of his Medal of Honor's during the Civil War and he is one of only 19 Medal of Honor recipients to earn it twice. Thomas Custer died at the Battle of the Little Big Horn with his older brother George, younger brother Boston, nephew Harry Armstrong Reed and brother-in-law Lieutenant James Calhoun.

The three brothers and nephew died on "Last Stand Hill," and Lieutenant Calhoun died on "Calhoun Hill."

Answer: Dr. Mary E. Walker

Dr. Walker earned her Medal of Honor tending the sick and wounded soldiers, in the field and hospitals during major engagements, and was taken prisoner of war for four months in a Richmond prison while acting as contract surgeon in Tennessee (she was freed in a prisoner swap); she was captured tending wounded soldiers between the lines. Dr. Mary E. Walker'S Medal of Honor was signed on 11 November 1865 by President Andrew Johnson. (Her Medal was rescinded along with 910 others during the "great purge of 1917," it was later restored by President Carter on 10 June 1977.)

For more in-depth information about the 1917 purge you can check out the following web site: http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/corrections/purge_army.html

Answer: Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt

Colonel Roosevelt earned the Medal of Honor when he inspired his "Rough Riders" by leading the charge up San Juan Hill.

Answer: Corporal Alvin C. York

Corporal York earned his Medal of Honor by taking the initiative when German machine guns pinned his unit down and killed or wounded his superiors. He flanked and killed the German soldiers manning the machine gun and captured the enemy commander who ordered the rest of his men to surrender. What remained of his men herded the 130 prisoners back to American lines.

Answer: Lieutenant Edward V. Rickenbacker

Lieutenant Rickenbacker earned his Medal of Honor by downing 27 German aircraft flying with 94th Hat in the Ring Pursuit Squadron.

Answer: Lieutenant Audie L. Murphy

Lieutenant Murphy earned his Medal of Honor by having his men retreat back to the safety of a treeline they had just left while he climbed aboard a disabled American tank. Once on the tank he began firing the .50 machine gun at the advancing German infantry and tanks while calling in artillery support; as he was doing all this, Lieutenant Murphy was credited with having replied to the artillery officer when asked "how close are they?" "Hold on and I'll let you talk with some." Lieutenant Murphy was wounded during the engagement ending his military career, but during his short time in uniform he earned and was awarded every decoration for valor that the United States had, as well as five awards/decorations from France and Belgium.

Additional information on America's most decorated World War II soldier can be found at: http://www.audiemurphy.com/

Answer: Major Richard I. Bong

Major Bong earned his Medal of Honor flying the P-38 Lightning with the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group over the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations. Major Bong went on to become a test pilot and died during a test flight of the new F-80A Shooting Star in 1945. Major Bong is and it appears he will remain America's "Top Ace."

Answer: Major Gregory Boyington

Major Boyington earned his Medal of Honor flying the F4U-4 Corsair while commanding Marine Fighter Squadron 214, known as the Black Sheep. After flying with the AVG Flying Tigers, where he scored three air-to-air victories, he rejoined the Marines and managed to procure the rank of Major.

When Major Boyington took over the squadron he immediately led by example with his almost reckless flying against the Japanese enemy. During his command of Marine Fighter Squadron, VMF-214 increased their air-to-air kills dramatically.

Answer: Major Charles J. Loring, Jr.

Major Loring earned his Medal of Honor flying the F-80 Shooting Star while he was assigned to the 80th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Wing; attempting to support UN ground troops while they were under heavy fire from Chinese artillery coming from a ridge. During the attack of which he was the flight leader and first to make a run on the enemy artillery his aircraft was hit several times in the nose and around the cockpit; the rest of his following flight members called for him to break off and head back to friendly lines, but his aircraft instead turned directly towards the enemy artillery.

As Major Loring's F-80 continued to be hit by enemy fire he dove his aircraft straight down into the artillery position; his aircraft struck the middle of the enemy position, destroying it and killing Major Loring instantly.

The number of UN troops he saved was incalculable, but allowed them to maintain there position without heavy casualties.

Answer: Major Bruce P. Crandall

Major Bruce "Snake" Crandall earned the Medal of Honor flying while flying his UH-1B Huey helicopter, with Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). As they inserted the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment into Landing Zone X-Ray the once nearly unopposed insertion became a firestorm of enemy small arms fire. During the fifth lift into X-Ray, Major Crandall saw that US casualty's were beginning to mount on the ground and the medivac helicopters were ordered not to attempt evacuation with a "hot landing zone." It was at this time that Major Crandall decided to make the attempt removing wounded from the landing zone. Major Crandall flew his helicopter back to the launch point for fuel and available water, food and ammunition for the troops he returned to the landing zone amidst heavy enemy fire; as he touched down the crew threw out the ammunition and supplies, and quickly loaded the wounded. Major Crandall made several round trips and even had his helicopter shot up to the point he had to trade it for a flyable one. By his and another volunteer helicopter, piloted by Captain Ed "Too Tall" Freeman (also a Medal of Honor recipient), they saved many lives and delivered critical supplies allowing the men on Landing Zone X-ray to survive the battle.

An excellent source of information on this action can be found by reading Retired Lieutenant General Hal Moore's book "We Were Soldiers Once... And Young." As well as at: http://www.lzxray.com/index.htm

Answer: Sergeant's Gary I. Gordon and Randall D. Shughart

Sergeants Gordon and Shughart were aboard a Blackhawk helicopter providing sniper support to the Delta Force members and Army Rangers on a snatch and grab mission in Mogadishu. During the operation a Blackhawk helicopter was shot down and before long another was hit; Gordon and Shughart requested permission to be inserted at the second crash site to check for survivors; permission was granted and they were inserted and found some of the crew had survived. During this time they continued to fight off groups of enemy firing on the downed aircraft; moving one aircrew member to a safer position, but in doing so both were eventually killed.

A great source of information on this action can be found in author Mark Bowden's 1999 book, "Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War"

Answer: Petty Officer Second Class Michael A. Monsoor

Petty Officer Monsoor earned his Medal of Honor providing over watch protection of friendly troops. While his SEAL element was doing so, several insurgents attacked their position early in the morning. After a couple attacks were stopped a third attack hit their position with a rocket propelled grenade and a hand grenade that ended up in front of Petty Officer Monsoor while he was between two team members; rather than protecting himself, he pulled the grenade to his body absorbing the blast and saving the other team members.

Answer: Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy

Lieutenant Murphy earned his Medal of Honor during a mission against a high value human target. In so doing his four man SEAL team were inserted but ran into trouble when they were discovered by local shepherds. Lieutenant Murphy let the shepherds go and they quickly told the enemy they were there; soon thereafter a heavy firefight developed wounding most of the team to which Lieutenant Murphy moved into the open to call in support and in doing so was mortally wounded. Unfortunately the rescue helicopter never arrived, having been hit by a rocket propelled grenade.

A good source of information on the battle can be found in the book: "Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10," by the lone survivor Marcus Luttrell

Answer: Captain William D. Swenson

Captain Swenson earned his Medal of Honor during a joint patrol between US and Afghan Army troops as they moved towards a meeting with the heads of a village just ahead; as they approached, they were ambushed causing several casualties. Captain Swenson acted quickly running into enemy fire to pull wounded soldiers to safety and assisting them to medivac helicopters.

Answer: Yes

The Medal of Honor has been awarded to the governments of Britain, France, Belgium, Italy, and Romania in honor of their unknown war dead from the First World War: to the British soldier buried in Westminster Abbey, London, England, the French soldier buried under the Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France, the Italian soldier buried in the National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II in Rome, Italy. Belgium and Romania did not identify a specific cemetery.