THE MEDAL OF HONOR, the nation’s highest award for valor in combat, is presented “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty.”

“Courage is not living without fear. Courage is being scared to death and doing the right thing anyway.”
~Author unknown

More than 16 million people served with the American armed forces during World War II, but only 464 were singled out to receive the Medal of Honor. In January 2012, the U.S. Postal Service invited the last living recipients of the award from World War II to join in honoring the extraordinary curage of every individual who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the war.

The men pictured here agreed to participate in this momentous event. Sadly, Senator Daniel K. Inouye and Vernon McGarity died before the stamps could be issued. Their photographs are still included, as they remain among the last representatives of a remarkable group whose courage and devotion we honor with this issuance.

Clockwise from upper left:
Charles H. Coolidge, Francis S. Currey, Walter d. Ehlers, John D. Hawk, Daniel K. Inouye, Arthur J. Jackson, Robert D. Maxwell, Vernon McGarity, Nicholas Oresko, Wilburn K. Ross, George T. Sakato and Hershel Woodrow Williams.

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Text/Recipient Photo Source: US Postal Service Medal of Honor Stamps