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Click the last name of each recipient to learn more about them.
RECIPIENT
SVC
CONFLICT
ACCD
BORN
LIVING Lived
BURIED
EARNED
BARTER, Gurdon H.
Navy
Civil War
X
CONAWAY, John Wesley
Army
HAYS, John H.
KEPHART, James
BRYAN, William Charles
Indian Campaigns - Honorable Mention
CLARK, Wilfred
Indian Campaigns
GARLAND, Harry
GREEN, John
HEISE, Richard Clamor
HUMPHREY, Charles Frederick
JACKSON, James
JONES, William H.
LEONARD, Patrick T.
MAHER, Nicholas
MCCARTHY, Michael
OLIVER, Francis
PARNELL, William Russell
VARNUM, Charles Albert
WILKENS, Henry
LONGFELLOW, Richard Moses
Philippine Insurrection
FOSTER, Paul Frederick
Vera Cruz (Mexico)
NEIBAUR, Thomas Croft
World War I
BAKER, Vernon Joseph @
World War II
BOYINGTON, Gregory Pappy
USMC
BROSTROM, Leonard Carl
BUSH, Robert Eugene
World War II - Honorable Mention
JACKSON, Arthur J.
KANE, John Riley
Army Air Corps
LESTER, Fredrick Faulkner
US Navy Reserve
MAXWELL, Robert Dale
MCCARTER, Lloyd G.
NAKAMURA, William Kenzo
PETERSON, Oscar Verner #
#
SMITH, Maynard Harrison
VAN NOY Jr., Nathan K.
BLEAK, David Bruce
Korean War
JOHNSON, James Edmund
LITTLETON, Herbert A +
MYERS, Reginald Rodney
SCHOONOVER, Dan D.
FISHER, Bernard Francis
USAF
Vietnam
FREEMAN, Ed W. *
MCGONAGLE, William Loren
Vietnam Era - Honorable Mention
NORRIS, Thomas Rolland
REASONER, Frank Stanley
SIJAN, Lance P.
Vietnam - Honorable Mention
# Although Oscar Peterson was buried at sea, he has an 'In Memory Of' Cenotaph in Richfield Idaho
* Hattiesburg, Mississippi is where Mr. Freeman entered the service; however, Mr. Freeman was attached to the Idaho National Guard for a time, had lived in Idaho for over 30+ years, and was living in Idaho when he received the award.
+ PFC Littleton's medal was originally accredited to South Dakota but in 1965, at the request of the family, Idaho Senator Frank Church contacted the USMC and his accreditation was officially changed to Idaho.
@ Although Baker's Medal is accredited to Wyoming, he was living in Idaho and had lived in Idaho for over 15 years when presented the award. He lived in Idaho up until his death in 2010.
Listed below, alphabetically, is a brief history of Idaho's Men Of Valor.
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Name: BAKER, Vernon Joseph Service: Army Conflict: WWII Location and Date of Act: Near Viareggio Italy, 5-6 April 1945 Entered Svc: Cheyenne Wyoming Date of Birth: 17 December Place of Birth: Cheyenne Wyoming Current Location: Lived in Idaho. We are sad to report that Mr. Baker passed away on 13 July 2010. Internment was in Arlington National Cemetery. Profiled in 4th Quarter 2000 Newsletter Note: Lieutenant Baker wrote a book about his life and his Medal of Honor earning event. He graciously made it available to our gift shop and personally autographed each copy. Click here to go to our gift shop and order a copy: [Gift Shop]
Name: BARTER,
Name: BLEAK, David Bruce Service: Army Conflict: Korean War Location and Date of Act: Vicinity of Minari-gol, Korea, 14 June 1952 Entered Svc: Shelley, Idaho Date of Birth: 27 February Place of Birth: Idaho Falls, Idaho Current Location: David Bleak passed away on 23 March 2006; his Cremains were scattered at a favorite Idaho fishing location. His family placed an 'In Memory Of' marker in the Lost River Cemetery (Section D, Row 2, Space 1), Butte County, Idaho. Profiled in 3rd Quarter 2000 Newsletter (Updated 2nd Quarter 2007) Notes: On June 14, 2006, David Bleak's Medal of Honor was presented to the Idaho Military Historical Society by his family for display in the Idaho Military History Museum. His Medal was unveiled on June 14, 2007 and is now on exhibit.
Name: BOYINGTON, Gregory Pappy Service: USMC Conflict: WWII Location and Date of Act: Central Solomons Area, 12 September 1943 - 3 January 1944 Entered Svc: Tacoma, Washington Date of Birth: 4 December 1912 Place of Birth: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Current Location: Arlington National Cemetery, (Section 7A, Grave 150), Arlington, Virginia (Died 11 January 1988) Notes: Until he decided to apply for flight school, he believed his name to be Gregory Hallenbeck. Boyington was better known as Pappy than Greg and he had his name legally changed in 1961 when he decided to run for political office.
Name: BROSTROM, Leonard Carl Service: Army Conflict: WWII Location and Date of Act: Near Dagami, Leyte, Philippine Islands, 28 October 1944 Entered Svc: Preston, Idaho Date of Birth: 23 November 1919 Place of Birth: Preston, Idaho Current Location: Preston Cemetery Dist (NW Section, Block 1, Lot 18), Preston, Idaho (KIA 20 Oct 1944) Profiled in 2nd Quarter 2004 Newsletter
Name: CLARK, Wilfred Service: Army Conflict: Indian Campaigns Location and Date of Act: Big Hole, Montana, Camas Meadows, Idaho 9 and 20 August 1877 respectively. Entered Svc: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Date of Birth: 1841 Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Current Location: Lost in History, last known location was Cascade Montana.
Name:
Name: LEONARD, Patrick T. Service: Army Conflict: Indian Campaigns Location and Date of Act: Fort Hartsuff (Grace Creek), Nebraska, 28 April 1876 Entered Svc: Camp Three Forks, Idaho Territory Date of Birth: 1828 Place of Birth: Clare County, Ireland Current Location: Mount Calvary Cemetery (Section 2 SE Corner), Lansing, Kansas (Died 1 March 1905). Note: Patrick T. Leonard was stationed at Camp Three Forks, Idaho Territory during the late 1860's/early 1870's. While there, he had a short break in service at Camp Three Forks prior to re-enlisting at Camp Three Forks and going on to earn the Medal of Honor in Nebraska. As such, he is technically accredited to Idaho. Originally believed to be a double recipient, it wasn't until 1984 that it was learned there were in fact two recipients with the name of Patrick Leonard.
Name: MCCARTHY, Michael Service: Army Conflict: Indian Campaigns Location and Date of Act: White Bird Canyon, Idaho, 17 June 1877 Entered Svc: New York, New York Date of Birth: 19 April 1845 Place of Birth: St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada Current Location: Mountain View Cemetery, (IOOF Section, Block P, Lot 18, Grave 5), Walla Walla, Washington (Died 15 January 1914) Note: At one time, Michael McCarthy went by the name Augustus Howard. History miscrecorded his date of action as June 1876-January 1877. The letters in his Medal of Honor file obtained from the National Archives very clearly state that his action took place on June 17, 1877, during the battle at White Bird Canyon. Profiled in 3rd Quarter 2001 Newsletter
Name: NAKAMURA, William Kenzo Service: U.S. Army Conflict: WWII Location and Date of Act: Castellina Italy, 4 July 1944 Entered Svc: Hunt, Idaho Date of Birth: 21 January 1922 Place of Birth: Seattle, Washington Current Location: Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery (Washelli Veterans Section Lexington W Grave 28), Seattle, Washington (KIA 4 July 1944) See 3rd Quarter 2000 Newsletter, Profiled in 2nd Quarter 2001 Newsletter.
Name: NORRIS, Thomas Rolland Service: Navy Conflict: Vietnam Location and Date of Act: Quang Tri Province, Viet Nam, 10-13 April 1972 Entered Svc: Silver Spring, MarylandDate of Birth: 14 January Place of Birth: Jacksonville, Florida Current Location: Lives in Idaho
Name: OLIVER, Francis Service: Army Conflict: Indian Campaigns Location and Date of Act: Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, 20 October 1869 Entered Svc: Ft. Filmore, New Mexico Date of Birth: 1832 Place of Birth: Baltimore, Maryland Current Location: Normal Hill Cemetery, Lewiston, Idaho (Div A, Row 19, Lot 19, Grave 1) (Cemetery records recorded his death as 1880, Military records indicate 28 July 1880) Notes: There are several letters in Olivers files dealing with the Medal of Honor but the dates are very inconsistent. The date of the transmittal letter for Olivers award is the same as the date of the letter of recommendation.
Name: PARNELL, William Russell Service: Army Conflict: Indian Campaigns Location and Date of Act: White Bird Canyon, Idaho, 17 June 1877 Entered Svc: Brooklyn, New York Date of Birth: 13 August 1836 Place of Birth: Dublin Ireland Current Location: San Francisco National Cemetery, San Francisco, California, (OS-68 Row 54) (Died 20 August 1910) Profiled in 4th Quarter 2001 Newsletter
Name: PETERSON, Oscar Verner Service: US Navy Conflict: WWII Unit: USS Neosho (AO-23) Location and Date of Act: 7 May 1942, Coral Sea Date of Birth: 27 August 1899 Place of Birth: Prentise, Wisconsin Current Location: Buried at Sea. Chief Peterson's wife moved to Richfield, Idaho shortly after his untimely death. An 'In Memory Of' marker to Chief Peterson was dedicated and placed next to his wife's grave in the Richfield cemetery on 3 April 2010. Notes: Most sources list Peterson as entering the service in Wisconsin. In reality, he enlisted in Kansas City, Missouri. Many sources also list his date of death as 7 May but this is not the case either. He died six days after his heroic action and rescue on board the USS Henley on 13 May 1942.
Name: REASONER, Frank Stanley Service: USMC Conflict: Vietnam Location and Date of Act: Near Da Nang, Vietnam, 12 July 1965 Entered Svc: Kellogg, Idaho Date of Birth: 16 September 1937 Place of Birth: Spokane, Washington Current Location: Greenwood Cemetery, Kellogg, Idaho, (Veterans Section, Row 7, Lot 346), (KIA 12 Jul 1965)
Name: VAN NOY, Jr., Nathan K. Service: Army Conflict: WWII Location and Date of Act: Near Finschafen, New Guinea, 17 October 1943 Entered Svc: Pocatello, Idaho Date of Birth: 9 August 1924 Place of Birth: Grace, Idaho Current Location: Grace Cemetery, Grace, Idaho (KIA 17 Oct 1943) Note: Nathan's name has been listed and spelled a number of different ways the most common being Junior N. Van Noy and Nathan K. Van Noy Jr. His true name is Nathan Kilby Van Noy Jr. although he went by the name of Junior in the military. He also signed his letters home as Junior. History has recorded his entrance into the service location as Preston, Idaho, but according to documents obtained from the National Archives, he actually enlisted in Pocatello, Idaho on 17 February 1943. His heroic action and death occurred eight months to the day of his enlistment.
Name: WILKENS, Henry Service: Army Conflict: Indian Campaigns Location and Date of Act: Little Muddy Creek, Montana, Camas Meadows, Idaho, 7 May 1877 and 20 August 1877 respectively. Entered Svc: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (This appear to be in error, his first three enlistments took place in New York, Washington DC., and Kansas. After his enlistment in Kansas, his service was continuous.) Date of Birth: Circa 1833 Place of Birth: Germany Current Location: New York, Brooklyn Cypress Hill National Cemetery (2-5325) (Died 2 August 1895) Note: His date of birth has been recorded as 1855 but this is impossible. He was a veteran of the Civil War and in fact attained the rank of First Lieutenant in 1864. His most likely year of birth is 1833.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Name: BRYAN, William Charles Service: United States Army, serving as a Hospital Steward Conflict: Indian Wars Unit: 4th US Infantry, possibly attached to Troop K, 2nd Cavalry Location and Date of Act: Powder River, Wyoming, 17 March 1876 Entered Svc: St. Louis, Missouri Date of Birth: 9 September 1852 Place of Birth: Zanesville, Ohio Current Location: Unknown, Cremains returned to family (Died 27 March 1933 in California). Notes: There are several possibilities regarding his year of birth but 1852 appears to be the most plausible. There is also conflicting information as to where he was when he died. Most common location listed is Santa Barbara. After earning the Medal, Bryan came to Idaho in 1899 as part of the "Northern Idaho Exploring Expedition" and later, from 1927-1928, he served as an Assistant in Physical Education at the University of Idaho.
Name: KANE, John Riley Service: United States Army Air Corps Conflict: WWII Unit: 98th Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force Location and Date of Act: Ploetsi Raid, Rumania, 1 August 1943 Entered Svc: Shreveport, Caddo County, Louisiana Date of Birth: 5 January 1907 Place of Birth: McGregor, McLennan County, Texas. Current Location: Arlington National Cemetery (Section 7A, Grave 47) (Died 29 May 1996) Note: After his heroic action at Ploesti, Colonel Kane returned to the United States in February 1944, as Base Commander of Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho where he served from 9 February 1944 to 25 December 1944. In November 1951 he was assigned to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, where he commanded the 580th Air Resupply and Communications Wing. Colonel Kane was stationed at Mountain Home until September 1952 when he and the Wing were transferred to Wheelus AB in Libya.
Unit: Assault Rifle Platoon, 1st Battalion, 22d Marines, 6th Marine Division
Location and Date of Act: Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, 8 June 1945
Entered Service: Chicago, Illinois
Date of Birth: 29 April 1926
Place of Birth: Downers Grove, Illinois
Current Location: Clarendon Hills Cemetery (Section G, Block K, Lot 28AB, Grave 9), Darien, Illinois, (Died 8 June 1945). Note: Lester attended Basic Training at Farragut, Idaho, graduating in late 1943 or early 1944. Profiled in 3rd Quarter 2009 Newsletter.
Name: MAHER, Nicholas (aka Nicholas Meaher) Service: Army Conflict: Indian Campaigns Location and Date of Act: Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, 20 October 1869 Entered Svc: Cincinnati, Ohio Date of Birth: circa 1845 Place of Birth: Perry County, Ohio Current Location: Jordan Valley Cemetery, Jordan Valley Oregon (Section 109, Space 7) Notes: Maher, an Indian Campaigns recipient, was classified as Lost to History until January 2011 when it was discovered he was residing in the Soldiers Home in Boise, Idaho at the time of his passing. The variation in the spelling of his name caused this status. Additionally, he lived in Silver City, Idaho in 1880 and worked there as a miner. There are several letters in Maher's files dealing with the Medal of Honor but the dates are very inconsistent. He was in the same action as Francis Oliver.
Name: MCGONAGLE, William Loren Service: US Navy Conflict: Vietnam Era Unit: USS Liberty (AGTR-5) Location and Date of Act: international waters near the Sinai Peninsula, 8-9 June 1967 Date of Birth: 19 November 1925 Place of Birth: Wichita, Kansas Current Location: Arlington National Cemetery (Section 34, Grave 208), Arlington, Virginia (Died 3 March 1999) Note: McGonagle was Commanding Officer and Professor of Naval Science, NROTC Unit, at the University of Idaho from January 1959 to June 1961 and received a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University while teaching there.
29th Bombardment Group, 52nd Bombardment Sqdn - Henry E. Erwin
303rd Bombardment Group, 358 Bombardment Sqdn - Forrest T. Vosler
303rd Bombardment Group, 359 Bombardment Sqdn - Jack W. Mathis
308th Bombardment Group, 374th Bombardment Sqdn - Horace S. Carswell, Jr.
We also have information that Chester H. West, WWI Medal of Honor Recipient, may have lived in Idaho Falls, Idaho for a period of time prior to enlisting in the military.
There is also information that Charles A. Varnum, Indian Wars Recipient, was attached to the Idaho National Guard as an instructor from 1907-1908.
Another noteworthy mention, Wilmon W. Blackmar, Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient, and Commander-In-Chief of the GAR, died during a visit to Boise Idaho, on Sunday, July 16, 1905.
Additionally, David C. Dolby, Vietnam Recipient, passed away in Spirit Lake, Idaho on August 6, 2010 while visiting friends. John Moran, Indian Campaigns recipient, may be buried in eastern Idaho. Details are still very sketchy but local history has him there. He is officially classified as Lost in History. And in closing, eastern Idahos Bingham County is named for Henry Harrison Bingham, a Civil War recipient. He never lived in Idaho but was a longtime friend and political associate of territorial Governor William M. Bunn.
As you may have noticed, our files are not complete. We are attempting to fill in as many blanks as we can but when it comes to the timeframes involved, records were not kept the same way they are today. If you have any information that could help us, please contact us.
If you enjoyed this page, you might enjoy the book
Idaho's Men of Valor: Medal of Honor Recipients with Idaho Attachments.
It contains individual pages with updated information on Idaho's 46 Medal of Honor Recipients. It also includes photos of many of the Recipients actual Medals of Honor and corrections to what has been historically recorded in error.
Click the book to go to the gift shop.