Who is the most highly decorated service member in American military history?

2016-08-22T22:22:01-04:00

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.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Aug 22 at 2016 10:26 PM

2016-08-22T22:26:43-04:00

I thought it was Audie Murphy, wasn't it?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2016 7:25 AM

2016-08-23T07:25:10-04:00

Your math may be off for Hackworth. He has 33 Air Medals for achievement and only one for valor. The Army also doesn't issue the Legion of Merit for valor, only the Marine Corps and Navy. Not sure if that affects your numbers any.

Response by Sgt Jason Markvart made Aug 23 at 2016 7:47 AM

2016-08-23T07:47:41-04:00

Wasn't it MGYSGT Orca?

Response by 1SG Mike Case made Aug 23 at 2016 8:27 AM

2016-08-23T08:27:56-04:00

Robert L. Howard comes to mind.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_L._Howard

Robert L. Howard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Robert Lewis Howard (July 11, 1939– December 23, 2009) was a highly decorated United States Army Special Forces officer and Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2016 10:40 AM

2016-08-23T10:40:17-04:00

Interesting question to ponder, COL Sam Russell

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Aug 23 at 2016 10:41 AM

2016-08-23T10:41:36-04:00

COL Sam Russell, I'm sure that COL David Hackworth would still be most highly decorated, but was now deceased Col George "Bud" Day, USAF, considered in your deliberations? I thought I read somewhere that he had many, many valor awards also.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 23 at 2016 11:03 AM

2016-08-23T11:03:36-04:00

Like anything else the numbers get fuzzy because they aren't "normalized", i.e. the criteria, inclination, circumstances, authority level, etc. for award have morphed. Over time with the rise of fruit salad mania, you simply cannot directly compare numbers. You'd never be able to normalize the numbers because there wouldn't be the historical data with enough clarity to make sound decisions either way. Heck, a certain subset of the awards are the result of being pumped up or pumped down. All we know is the result. Trying to get analytical with stuff that has morphed over time takes you down rabbit holes fairly quickly. However, I find the numbers interesting for discussion. Back in my day, a Navy Achievement Medal had to be signed off by the Fleet Admiral. Glad you didn't ask who's the most religious American!

Response by MSgt John Taylor made Aug 23 at 2016 11:04 AM

2016-08-23T11:04:11-04:00

Col. George Everett 'Bud' Day

Response by COL Sam Russell made Aug 23 at 2016 6:29 PM

2016-08-23T18:29:31-04:00

Here is another, more comprehensive, list developed using a point system, although the author does not identify how he defines the points.

http://www.veterantributes.org/Top20MostDecorated.htm

Top50MostDecorated

On this page I have used my Medal Points System to list the Top 50 Most Highly Decorated U.S. Mlitary Personnel in American History. This includes all military branches and all time periods. Although I believe the list to be inclusive of all Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines, it is still a work in progress. As I research new personnel, it is possible I will find someone new that will make the top 50 list. My master list I work from...

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2016 11:15 PM

2016-08-23T23:15:56-04:00

The methods used to determine the answer to this conundrum are as varied as the results.

Response by SFC William Stephens made Nov 8 at 2016 9:05 AM

2016-11-08T09:05:42-05:00

SAMC BE KNOW DO FOREVER

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 7:52 PM

2016-11-15T19:52:42-05:00

David Hackworth must be considered as one of, if not the most, decorated. He wrote an excellent autobiography as well. He was one of the most decorated soldiers of the Korean War.

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 15 at 2016 8:35 PM

2016-11-15T20:35:46-05:00

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...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2019 11:07 AM

2019-07-11T11:07:17-04:00

I think those North Korean generals are definatly most decorated. You guys ever seen those pictures of them with medals down to their pants.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made May 4 at 2020 9:55 PM

2020-05-04T21:55:27-04:00

Audy Murphy accomplished all of his achievements by the age of 20. All in less than 3 yrs.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made May 12 at 2021 1:37 PM

2021-05-12T13:37:03-04:00

My initial response: who is David Hackworth? Anyway, I like the comparison and how it makes you think about these great men and how times and wars are a bit different. I'd like to see you do it again only have the foreign awards score based on the level of valor, or heroism which the awarding country gives to that award. (Example: the French award that is equal to the Silver Star Medal gets the same point value as the SSM.)

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made May 12 at 2021 2:23 PM

2021-05-12T14:23:26-04:00

I have to agree, NOT reluctantly either, with your analysis and the formula you used. EXCELLENT post and factual analysis COL Sam Russell.