The Legacy of Famous Medal Of Honor Recipients Who Are Navy SEALs
The famous Medal of Honor recipients who are Navy SEALs represent some of the most decorated warriors in American military history. Here is a quick overview of the six you should know:
- Michael E. Thornton - Vietnam War; saved fellow SEAL Thomas R. Norris under heavy fire (1972)
- Joseph R. Kerrey - Vietnam War; led a mission despite losing his leg to a grenade (1969)
- Michael P. Murphy - Afghanistan; exposed himself to enemy fire to call for help during Operation Red Wings (2005)
- Michael A. Monsoor - Iraq; threw himself on a grenade to save his teammates (2006)
- Britt K. Slabinski - Afghanistan; led a rescue on a 10,000-foot mountain during the Battle of Takur Ghar (2002)
- Edward C. Byers Jr. - Afghanistan; shielded a hostage with his own body during a nighttime raid (2012)
Since 1862, the Medal of Honor has been the United States military's highest award for valor in combat. Of the hundreds of Navy recipients on the official record, only a handful have been Navy SEALs — the elite warriors trained to operate across Sea, Air, and Land.
That makes each SEAL recipient's story extraordinary, even by the standards of extraordinary people.
These men didn't just survive impossible situations. They chose to act — exposing themselves to enemy fire, carrying wounded teammates through the dark, and placing their own lives last. Their stories cut to the heart of what the Navy SEAL ethos means in practice.
I'm Larry Fowler, publisher of NavySeal.com and USMilitary.com, a platform I've operated since 2007 to help active-duty service members, veterans, and military families navigate their benefits and career paths. Covering the famous Medal of Honor recipients who are Navy SEALs sits at the core of our mission to honor those who served. Read on for a full profile of each recipient and the defining moment that earned them the nation's highest honor.
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The medal of honor was established in 1862 during the American Civil War to recognize soldiers and sailors who went far beyond the call of duty. While the U.S. Navy lists 749 Medal of Honor recipients across all historical conflicts, only a tiny fraction of these belong to the elite Navy SEAL community.
To understand why, we have to look at how Naval Special Warfare has evolved. The modern Navy SEAL teams were officially established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy, building on the foundations laid by World War II Navy Combat Demolition Units and Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs). Because the community is small and their missions are highly classified, the opportunities to receive public recognition are rare.
Every single operator who wears the Navy SEAL Trident has survived Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, widely considered one of the most grueling military selection processes in the world. This training instills a deep, unyielding ethos: never leave a teammate behind, maintain absolute discipline under fire, and prioritize the team's survival over your own life. When these principles meet the chaos of actual combat, the result is legendary valor.
Below is a historical comparison of the environments and tactical realities faced by Navy SEALs in different eras:
| Era / Conflict | Primary Operating Environment | Typical Team Footprint | Key Tactical Challenges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam War | Tropical deltas, rivers, and dense jungles | 5 to 14 operators | Short-range ambushes, water-to-land extractions, high-density enemy patrols |
| Global War on Terrorism | High-altitude mountains, arid deserts, and urban ruins | 4 to 20+ operators | Extreme terrain (up to 10,000 feet), improvised explosive devices (IEDs), close-quarters battle (CQB) |
The stories of these recipients show how this training and mindset translate into action on the battlefield.
Vietnam War Heroes: Unbreakable Bonds and Barefoot Climbs
During the Vietnam War, the newly formed Navy SEAL teams operated primarily in the Mekong Delta and surrounding coastal regions. They specialized in direct action raids, reconnaissance, and guerrilla warfare. Operating in small units, they relied on speed, surprise, and stealth to disrupt North Vietnamese operations. When things went wrong, their survival depended entirely on their trust in one another and their willingness to execute daring tactical extractions.
Michael E. Thornton: Saving a Fellow Navy SEAL
On October 31, 1972, Petty Officer Michael E. Thornton was part of a five-man reconnaissance patrol operating near the Cửa Việt Base in South Vietnam. The team was led by Lieutenant Thomas R. Norris, an officer who had already earned his own legendary reputation in the SEAL community.
Their mission was to gather intelligence on enemy positions, but they were compromised and quickly surrounded by an estimated 150 North Vietnamese soldiers. A fierce gunfight broke out. As the team attempted a tactical retreat toward the water, Lieutenant Norris was shot in the head and believed to be dead.
Thornton refused to leave his officer behind. Under a hail of enemy gunfire, he ran 400 yards back into the hostile zone to recover Norris. Finding him unconscious but alive, Thornton hoisted the wounded lieutenant onto his shoulders and ran back toward the beach.
When they reached the water, Thornton launched himself, Norris, and a wounded South Vietnamese comrade into the surf. He swam for approximately three hours in the open ocean, towing both men to prevent their capture, until they were finally rescued by a support vessel.
Thornton was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 15, 1973. Decades later, his elite skills and leadership led him to become one of the founding members of SEAL Team Six in 1980 under Commander Richard Marcinko. What makes this story truly unique is that Norris survived his wounds, meaning Thornton is one of the very few service members in American history to receive the Medal of Honor for saving the life of a fellow recipient. You can learn more about the deep history of these elite teams in our Navy SEAL guide.
Joseph R. Kerrey: Leading From the Front in Nha Trang
Before he was a U.S. Senator or a presidential candidate, Joseph "Bob" Kerrey was a young Navy lieutenant junior grade leading a SEAL team in Vietnam. On March 14, 1969, Kerrey led a mission to capture key enemy leaders on an island in the bay of Nha Trang.
To achieve complete tactical surprise, Kerrey and his team scaled a sheer 350-foot cliff barefoot in the pitch-black darkness. Once at the top, they split up to secure the enemy camp. Suddenly, an enemy grenade exploded at Kerrey's feet, shattering his right leg and throwing him backward.
Despite sustaining severe injuries that would eventually require his leg to be amputated below the knee, Kerrey did not lose focus. He applied his own tourniquet, remained conscious, and continued to direct his team's fire. He successfully coordinated the defense of their position and called in an extraction boat, refusing medical evacuation until every single member of his team was safely out of harm's way.
Kerrey spent eight months recovering in a naval hospital. He was initially reluctant to accept the Medal of Honor because he disliked the military's medal culture, but his teammates persuaded him to accept it on behalf of everyone who served and received no recognition. He was presented the award by President Richard Nixon on May 14, 1970. His transition from combat hero to public servant is a testament to the resilience taught during Navy SEAL instruction.
Global War on Terrorism: Ultimate Sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan
The Global War on Terrorism shifted the Navy SEALs' operating environment from muddy riverbeds to the high-altitude peaks of the Hindu Kush and the concrete labyrinths of Iraqi cities. In these environments, close-quarters battle and long-distance reconnaissance became the norm, demanding a high level of physical conditioning and mental toughness.
Michael P. Murphy: The Hero of Operation Red Wings
On June 28, 2005, Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy led a four-man special reconnaissance team deep behind enemy lines in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan. Their mission, part of Operation Red Wings, was to locate a high-value Taliban leader. Operating at an altitude of nearly 10,000 feet, the team was compromised by local goat herders, who alerted a force of more than 50 Taliban fighters.
The SEALs were quickly surrounded and forced down steep, rocky mountain slopes. During the intense two-hour gunfight, all four team members were wounded. With their primary communications blocked by the rugged terrain, Murphy made a conscious, fateful decision. He walked out of his covered position into open, exposed terrain to get a clear satellite signal.
While under direct enemy fire, Murphy calmly dialed the satellite phone, contacted Bagram Air Base to request a Quick Reaction Force (QRF), and even signed off with a polite "Thank you" before returning to the fight. He was mortally wounded moments later.
The ensuing rescue attempt ended in further tragedy when an MH-47 Chinook helicopter carrying 16 rescue personnel (including 8 Navy SEALs and 8 Army Night Stalkers) was shot down, resulting in the single largest loss of life for Naval Special Warfare since World War II at that time. Only one member of the ground team, Marcus Luttrell, survived, thanks to local Afghan villagers who protected him under the Pashtun custom of Pashtunwali.
Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on October 22, 2007. To learn more about his life, you can read the official MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT MICHAEL P. MURPHY page or check out his biography on Michael P. Murphy. His legacy lives on through the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) and the globally famous CrossFit workout "Murph," which Murphy originally designed and called "Body Armor." Discover more about his incredible journey on our navy seal profile page.
Michael A. Monsoor: Selfless Sacrifice in Ramadi
On September 29, 2006, Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor was serving as a heavy weapons machine gunner in Ramadi, Iraq, during a joint operation with Iraqi army forces. Monsoor and his teammates had established a sniper overwatch position on a rooftop in a highly contested neighborhood.
While they were scanning the streets below, an insurgent threw a fragmentation grenade from the street onto the roof. The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest and bounced onto the deck. Because of where he was positioned, Monsoor was the only member of the team who had a clear path to escape the blast.
Instead of jumping to safety, Monsoor chose to save his teammates. He threw himself directly onto the grenade, smothering the blast with his body armor. He died from his wounds shortly after, but his actions saved the lives of the two other SEALs on the roof, who escaped with only minor injuries.
Monsoor was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in April 2008. His selflessness is the ultimate expression of the tactical training that prepares operators to protect their brothers at all costs, a standard we explore in our guide on what makes Navy SEALs the best special forces in the world. His name is carried on by the Zumwalt-class stealth destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001).
Modern Elite Operations: Hostage Rescues and Mountaintop Battles
Modern special operations demand rapid deployment, surgical precision, and the ability to operate in extreme weather conditions. From freezing, high-altitude peaks to pitch-black compound raids, modern SEALs continue to prove their versatility.
Britt K. Slabinski: The Battle of Takur Ghar
On March 4, 2002, Senior Chief Britt K. Slabinski led a seven-man reconnaissance team during Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan. Their helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) while attempting to land on the snow-covered, 10,000-foot peak of Takur Ghar. During the chaotic landing, Petty Officer 1st Class Neil Roberts fell from the open ramp of the helicopter into the snow below.
Slabinski and his remaining team members made the decision to return to the active enemy stronghold to rescue Roberts. They inserted back onto the mountaintop under heavy machine-gun fire. Slabinski repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire, charging enemy bunkers and carrying a seriously wounded teammate through waist-deep snow down a sheer mountainside while calling in close air support.
The team fought and survived for 14 hours before they could be safely extracted. Seven American service members lost their lives on that mountain. Slabinski originally received the Navy Cross for his actions, but following an extensive military review, his award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in May 2018.
Slabinski dedicated his medal to the men who died on that mountaintop, calling them the "true heroes." To read more about this grueling 14-hour battle, visit Medal of Honor Monday: Navy Master Chief Britt Slabinski, view his profile at Slabinski, Britt K. - The National Medal of Honor Museum, or read the official MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT BRITT K. SLABINSKI page.
Edward C. Byers Jr.: Shielding Hostages in the Dark
On December 8, 2012, Senior Chief Edward C. Byers Jr. was part of a rescue team sent to extract an American doctor, Dr. Dilip Joseph, who had been kidnapped by the Taliban in eastern Afghanistan. The rescue team hiked for four hours through rugged mountain terrain to reach the remote compound where the hostage was being held.
As the team breached the entrance — which consisted of six layers of heavy blankets used as a door — the lead assaulter was mortally wounded. Byers was the second operator through the door. In the pitch-black room, he immediately tackled an enemy guard to the ground.
While struggling with the guard, Byers heard the hostage call out. He leaped across the room and threw his own body on top of Dr. Joseph to shield him from the active gunfire in the room. While using his body as a shield, Byers noticed another armed guard nearby. With his bare hands, he pinned the guard to the wall by the throat until a teammate could eliminate the threat.
Byers was also a certified 18D Special Operations Combat Medic. Once the room was secure, he transitioned to medical care, performing CPR on his wounded teammate during the 40-minute helicopter flight back to Bagram Airfield.
Byers was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama on February 29, 2016. To learn more about his background as both an elite assaulter and a combat medic, visit the MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT EDWARD C. BYERS JR. page or read our dedicated article on this navy seal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Famous Medal Of Honor Recipients Who Are Navy SEALs are there?
While there are 749 U.S. Navy Medal of Honor recipients on the official government records dating back to the Civil War, only a small fraction are Navy SEALs. Because the SEAL teams were founded in 1962, their recipients are concentrated in the Vietnam War and the Global War on Terrorism.
What common traits define Famous Medal Of Honor Recipients Who Are Navy SEALs?
Every Navy SEAL who has earned the Medal of Honor shares a foundation built on BUD/S training, extreme physical resilience, and a commitment to the "leave no man behind" ethos. Whether it was Michael Thornton swimming for hours to save his lieutenant, or Michael Monsoor jumping on a grenade, their actions reflect a willingness to put the team first.
Who was the first Navy SEAL to receive the Medal of Honor?
The first Navy SEALs to receive the Medal of Honor earned their awards during the Vietnam War. This era marked the first major combat deployments for the newly established SEAL teams, proving their capabilities in unconventional warfare and high-risk rescue operations.
Conclusion
The stories of these six famous Medal of Honor recipients who are Navy SEALs are a powerful reminder of the costs of freedom and the heights of human bravery. From the rivers of Vietnam to the snow-covered peaks of Afghanistan, these men have defined what it means to lead under fire.
From our July 2026 perspective, remembering these heroes is more than a history lesson — it is a way to preserve the legacy of service that continues to inspire the next generation of operators. If you are interested in learning more about the history, training, and career paths within Naval Special Warfare, we invite you to explore our comprehensive navy seal guide.
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