Bruno Pugh
Some warriors rise above the rest, earning more medals than most can dream of. These soldiers went beyond service—they defied the odds and became legends. Let’s get into the stories of the most decorated heroes in U.S. history, filled with courage and triumph.
Audie Murphy
Gunfire ripped through the air. Audie Murphy stood his ground, defying overwhelming odds. This young Texan became the most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II, earning the Medal of Honor along with 33 other U.S. and foreign military awards. His battlefield heroics cemented his place as an American legend.
Daniel Daly
“Come on, you sons of—do you want to live forever?” The legendary words of Daniel Daly roared through the chaos of Belleau Wood. A two-time Medal of Honor recipient, he led relentless counterattacks and inspired his Marines to push forward. With fearless combat leadership, he makes the list as one of history’s greatest warriors.
David Hackworth
Hackworth never backed down from a fight. He served in Korea and Vietnam, earning 76 medals, including two Distinguished Service Crosses. His combat record remains one of the most impressive in military history. Whether leading men into battle or challenging military leadership, he remained a warrior at heart.
Robert L. Howard
Imagine facing enemy fire, wounded but still charging forward. That was Robert L. Howard, a Green Beret and one of the most decorated soldiers in U.S. history. He earned several military awards, including the Medal of Honor for his heroic display in Vietnam. Despite multiple injuries, he fought relentlessly to save his comrades.
Edward A. Carter Jr.
Edward A. Carter Jr. was a U.S.-born soldier who grew up abroad and served in multiple wars before enlisting in the U.S. Army during World War II. His extraordinary bravery in battle, where he single-handedly took on enemy forces despite being wounded, earned him the Distinguished Service Cross—later upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 1997.
Matt Urban
Shot multiple times, yet he kept fighting. Matt Urban was a warrior who simply refused to quit. He commanded tanks, led charges, and defied death itself. Awarded the Medal of Honor and seven Purple Hearts, he proved that sheer willpower could turn the tide of battle.
John Basilone
Guadalcanal. Darkness. Endless enemy waves. John Basilone fired relentlessly, repaired machine guns, and ran through enemy fire to resupply his Marines. His heroism earned the Medal of Honor. Refusing to stay home, he led Marines at Iwo Jima, took out a bunker, and fell in battle—a true legend.
Alvin York
Alvin York hesitated to fight due to his beliefs, but when war called, he answered. Leading a small squad in World War I, he took out multiple enemy gunners and played a key role in capturing 132 German soldiers. His Medal of Honor cemented his legacy as an extraordinary war hero.
William “Wild Bill” Donovan
A soldier, a spy, a strategist, Wild Bill Donovan embodied them all. He earned the Medal of Honor in World War I for valor at the Argonne Forest. Later, as the appointed head of the OSS, the precursor to the CIA, he shaped modern intelligence, proving that warfare extended beyond the battlefield.
Lewis “Chesty” Puller
Five Navy Crosses. An unmatched legacy. Chesty Puller led his Marines with grit and fire, facing enemy forces across multiple wars. Known for his fearless battlefield mindset, he inspired troops with bold words. A famous quote, though debated, spoke of turning encirclement into opportunity.