Medal of Honor: Iraq
Seven Americans received the nation's highest award for valor for actions in the Iraq War. Six did not survive.
| Recipient | Service | Action | Place | Presented |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith | Army | April 4, 2003 | Near Baghdad International Airport | Posthumous |
| Cpl. Jason L. Dunham | Marine Corps | April 14, 2004 | Near Husaybah | Posthumous |
| Staff Sgt. David G. Bellavia | Army | November 10, 2004 | Fallujah | 2019, living |
| Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe | Army | October 17, 2005 | Salah ad Din Province | Posthumous, 2021 |
| PO2 Michael A. Monsoor | Navy | September 29, 2006 | Ramadi | Posthumous |
| Pfc. Ross A. McGinnis | Army | December 4, 2006 | Baghdad | Posthumous |
| Staff Sgt. Travis W. Atkins | Army | June 1, 2007 | Abu Samak | Posthumous, 2019 |
In brief
Smith organized the defense of a courtyard near the airport against a larger force and manned a vehicle-mounted machine gun until he was mortally wounded. His was the first Medal of Honor of the war.
Dunham covered a grenade with his helmet and body during an attack on his patrol. He died eight days later.
Bellavia cleared an insurgent-held house during the second battle of Fallujah. He became the first living recipient for the Iraq War.
Cashe went back into a burning vehicle repeatedly to pull out his soldiers, suffering burns from which he died. Congress authorized the upgrade of his Silver Star.
Monsoor, a Navy SEAL, fell on a grenade to save his teammates in Ramadi.
McGinnis threw himself on a grenade inside his Humvee, saving four fellow soldiers.
Atkins tackled an insurgent wearing a suicide vest and shielded three of his soldiers from the blast.