Posted on Aug 22, 2016
Who is the most highly decorated service member in American military history?
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A couple of years ago I saw this question posted on an 'answers' website. It got me thinking of some objective method of comparing the decorations earned by soldiers and marines from different eras and different conflicts. Vote your answer, or write in one of your own in a comment if their name does not appear in the survey.
Following is my analysis and my objective opinion (not who I would have gone with off hand).
To get at the answer of most HIGHLY decorated, I applied a relative point value to each type medal using the precedence of medals according to the Army's The Institute of Heraldry. The MOH I rated with 100 points, the DSC, NC, AFC rated a 50, the Marine Brevet Medal (had to look that one up, as MGen Smedley Butler was a recipient) rated with 40, and on down. The least point value I applied to campaign medals (2), service medals (1), and foreign awards (1). I did not count unit awards, badges and tabs. Assigning points is subjective, but once established makes an objective evaluation of each individual using a consistent relative value according to each medal's order of precedence.
Audie Murphy scored a 300 even. He was edged out by Smedley Butler with a score of 313. Chesty Puller soared past them with a 492, and COL Robert L. Howard surpassed him with a score of 557.
But, I was stunned with the result when David Hackworth surpassed all others with an astounding score of 961. It seems 2 service crosses, 10 silver stars, 4 legions of merit with V device, a distinguished flying medal, 8 bronze stars with V device, and 34 air medals, all but one for valor, is impossible to beat, even with two medals of honor and a Marine brevet medal. Counting only valor awards and purple hearts, Hackworth still beats them all with a score of 635.
As someone else pointed out, comparing medals of warriors from different eras is impossible as numbers and types of awards have only increased over the past century, and criteria for awarding has changed throughout each awards' history.
Following is my analysis and my objective opinion (not who I would have gone with off hand).
To get at the answer of most HIGHLY decorated, I applied a relative point value to each type medal using the precedence of medals according to the Army's The Institute of Heraldry. The MOH I rated with 100 points, the DSC, NC, AFC rated a 50, the Marine Brevet Medal (had to look that one up, as MGen Smedley Butler was a recipient) rated with 40, and on down. The least point value I applied to campaign medals (2), service medals (1), and foreign awards (1). I did not count unit awards, badges and tabs. Assigning points is subjective, but once established makes an objective evaluation of each individual using a consistent relative value according to each medal's order of precedence.
Audie Murphy scored a 300 even. He was edged out by Smedley Butler with a score of 313. Chesty Puller soared past them with a 492, and COL Robert L. Howard surpassed him with a score of 557.
But, I was stunned with the result when David Hackworth surpassed all others with an astounding score of 961. It seems 2 service crosses, 10 silver stars, 4 legions of merit with V device, a distinguished flying medal, 8 bronze stars with V device, and 34 air medals, all but one for valor, is impossible to beat, even with two medals of honor and a Marine brevet medal. Counting only valor awards and purple hearts, Hackworth still beats them all with a score of 635.
As someone else pointed out, comparing medals of warriors from different eras is impossible as numbers and types of awards have only increased over the past century, and criteria for awarding has changed throughout each awards' history.
Awards
Medal of Honor
Valor
Medals
Courage
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Responses: 17
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SFC (Join to see)
I think on the official scale this fraud gets a negative score. I read an account on his stolen valor and he did serve, but nothing compared to this photo. Sad that he wants to steal what the men whom we all think of when we ponder this question rightfully earned.
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SSG Bill McCoy
It's easy to spot such a fake "hero," when they're that obese since not many SEALS allow themselves to lose being in decent shape.
We had a Marine in our town who claimed Purple Hearts and being a Scout Sniper with combat deployments. When it was found out that he was SERIOUSLY exaggerating his service, he was kicked out of the American Legion and the VFW, AND the Masonic Lodge he had joined.
We had a Marine in our town who claimed Purple Hearts and being a Scout Sniper with combat deployments. When it was found out that he was SERIOUSLY exaggerating his service, he was kicked out of the American Legion and the VFW, AND the Masonic Lodge he had joined.
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SFC (Join to see)
I love browsing around and finding how amazing some individuals in the service are and have been. I find a new heroic figure to look up to nearly every time. Thank you for sharing.
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LTC Stephen C.
MSgt John Taylor, I actually met Col. Day on a three day cruise to the Bahamas out of Port Canaveral, FL in JUL92. The Legion of Valor was conducting their annual meeting on the cruise, and Col. Day was the keynote speaker for their dinner meeting (and, of course, a member). I introduced myself, and he graciously invited me to the dinner and presentation, which I immediately accepted and then attended!
He signed a copy of his book "Return with Honor", which I have to this day.
SFC (Join to see)
He signed a copy of his book "Return with Honor", which I have to this day.
SFC (Join to see)
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SSG Bill McCoy
In addition to his exemplary service, I'll always be grateful to Col. Day for his role in the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth," that proved John Kerry was (is) a fraud.
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this is going to be good...
from York to Howard... they were all Heros and the next generation Is making their mark as we speak...
from York to Howard... they were all Heros and the next generation Is making their mark as we speak...
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MSG David Rogers III
SGT York was a hero! But he only got one US Decoration... the Medal of Honor. At first, in interim, it was the Distinguished Service Cross, but that was replaced by the MOH. He also got 4 or 5 Foreign awards, and the Tennessee Medal of Valor, but most of those were for the same action as the MOH. I'm not diminishing his fame, just displaying the fact. He was a great hero, just not the most decorated.
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