Edwards AFB in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Medal of Honor

U.S. Air Force Medal of Honor Recipients

Photographed by Denise Boose, February 20, 2012

1. The Medal of Honor Marker

Inscription.

The Medal of Honor. U.S. Air Force Medal of Honor Recipients. , The medal of honor is the highest U.S. military decoration awarded to individuals who, while serving in the U.S. armed services, have distinguished themselves by conspicuous gallantry and courage at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty. Each decoration awarded represents an incontestable act of bravery or self-sacrifice involving obvious risk of life and, if the risk had not been taken, there would be no grounds for censure. The President of the United States presents the award in the name of Congress. Originally authorized by congress in 1861, it is sometimes called the “Congressional Medal of Honor”. , This memorial is designed with a distinct turn indicating civilization turning to a new course without war and the three blank blocks of concrete represent a future with an absence of any more medal of honor recipients. , This memorial was dedicated on the 14th day of October 1997. , , World War I , Recipient --- Date and Place of Action: , Bleckley, 2D Lt. Erwin R. Oct.6, 1918 - Binarville, France . Coettler, 2D Lt. Harold E. - Oct. 6, 1918 - Binarville, France . Luke, 2D Lt. Frank, Jr. - Sept. 29, 1918 - Murvaux, France . Rickenbacker, Capt. Edward V. - Sept. 25, 1918 - Billy, France, World War II , Recipient --- Date and Place of Action: , Baker, Lt. Col. Addison E. - Aug. 1, 1943 - Ploesti, Romania . Bong, Maj. Richard I. - Oct. 10-Nov. 15, 1944 - Southwest Pacific . Carswell, Maj. Horace S., Jr. - Oct. 26, 1944 - Southwest China Sea . Castle, Brig. Gen. Frederick W. - Dec. 24, 1944 - Liege, Belgium . Cheli, Maj. Ralph Aug.18, 1943 Wewak, New Guinea Craw, Col. Demas T. - Nov. 8, 1942 - Port Lyautey, French Morocco . Doolittle, Lt. Col. James H. - Apr. 18, 1942 - Tokyo, Japan . Erwin, SSgt. Henry E. - Apr. 12, 1945 - Koriyama, Japan . Femoyer, 2D Lt. Robert E. - Nov. 2, 1944 - Merseburg, Germany . Gott, 1St Lt. Donald J. - Nov. 9, 1944 - Saarbrucken, Germany . Hamilton, Maj. Pierpont M. - Nov. 8, 1942 - Port Lyautey, French Morocco . Howard, Lt. Col. James H. - Jan. 11, 1944 - Oschersleben, Germany . Hughes, 2D Lt. Lloyd H. - Aug. 1, 1943 - Ploesti, Romania . Jerstad, Maj. John L. - Aug. 1, 1943 - Ploesti, Romania . Johnson, Col. Leon W. - Aug. 1, 1943 - Ploesti, Romania . Kane, Col. John R. - Aug. 1, 1943 - Ploesti, Romania . Kearby, Col Neel E. - Oct. 11, 1943 - Wewak, New Guinea . Kingsley, 2D Lt. David R. - June 23, 1944 - Ploesti, Romania . Knight, 1st Lt. Raymond L. - Apr. 25, 1945 - Po Valley, Italy . Lawley, 1st Lt. William R., Jr. - Feb. 20, 1944 - Leipzig, Germany . Lindsey, Capt. Darrell R. - Aug. 9, 1944 - Pontoise, France . Mathies, SSgt. Archibald - Feb. 20, 1944 - Leipzig, Germany . Mathis, 1st Lt. Jack W. - Mar. 18, 1943 - Vegesack, Germany . McGuire, Maj. Thomas B., Jr. - Dec. 25-26, 1944 - Luzon, Philippine Islands . Metzger, 2D Lt. William E., Jr. - Nov. 9, 1944 - Saarbrucken, Germany . Michael, 1st Lt. Edwards S. - Apr. 11, 1944 - Brunswick, Germany . Morgan, 2D Lt. John C. - July 28, 1943 - Kiel, Germany . Pease, Capt. Harl, Jr. - Aug. 7, 1942 - Rabaul, New Britain . Pucket, 1st Lt. Donald D. - July 9, 1944 - Ploesti, Romania . Sarnoski, 2D Lt. Joseph R. - June 16, 1943 - Buka, Solomon Islands . Shomo, Maj. William A. - Jan. 11, 1945 - Luzon, Philippine Islands . Smith, SSgt. Maynard H. - May 1, 1943 - St. Nazaire, France . Truemper, 2D Lt. Walter E. - Feb. 20, 1944 - Leipzig, Germany . Vance, Lt. Col. Leon R., Jr. - June 5, 1944 - Wimereaux, France . Vosler, TSgt. Forrest L. - Dec. 20, 1943 - Bremen, Germany . Walker, Brig. Gen. Kenneth N. - Jan. 5, 1943 - Rabaul, New Britain . Wilkins, Maj. Raymond H. - Nov. 2, 1943 - Rabaul, New Britain . Zeamer, Maj. Jay, Jr. - June 16, 1943 - Buka, Solomon Islands, Korea , Recipient --- Date and Place of Action: , Davis, Maj. George A., Jr. - Feb. 10, 1952 - Sinuiju-Yalu River, N. Korea . Loring, Maj. Charles J., Jr. - Nov. 22, 1952 - Sniper Ridge, N. Korea . Sebille, Maj. Louis J. - Aug. 5, 1950 - Hamchang, S. Korea . Walmsley, Capt. John S., Jr. - Sept. 14, 1951 - Yangdok, N. Korea, Vietnam , Recipient --- Date and Place of Action: , Bennett, Capt. Steven L. - June 29, 1972 - Quang Tri, S. Vietnam . Day, Col. George E. - Aug. 26, 1967 - Hanoi, N. Vietnam . Dethlefsen, Maj. Merlyn H. - Mar. 10, 1967 - Thai Nguyen, N. Vietnam . Fisher, Maj. Bernard F. - Mar. 10, 1966 - A Shau Valley, S. Vietnam . Fleming, 1st Lt. James P. - Nov. 26, 1968 - Duc Co, S. Vietnam . Jackson, Lt. Col. Joe M. - May 12, 1966 - Kham Duc, S. Vietnam . Jones, Col. William A., III - Sept.1, 1968 - Dong Hoi, N. Vietnam . Levitow, A1C John L. - Feb. 24, 1969 - Long Binh, S. Vietnam . Sijan, Capt. Lance P. - Nov. 9, 1969 - N. Vietnam . Thorsness, Lt. Col. Leo K. - Apr. 19, 1967 - N. Vietnam . Wilbanks, Capt. Hilliard A. - Feb.24, 1967 - Dalat, S. Vietnam Young, Capt. Gerald O. Nov. 9, 1967 Da Nang Area, S. Vietnam . Pitsenbarger, A1C William H. - Apr. 11, 1966 - Cam My S. Vietnam

The medal of honor is the highest U.S. military decoration awarded to individuals who, while serving in the U.S. armed services, have distinguished themselves by conspicuous gallantry and courage at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty. Each decoration awarded represents an incontestable act of bravery or self-sacrifice involving obvious risk of life and, if the risk had not been taken, there would be no grounds for censure. The President of the United States presents the award in the name of Congress. Originally authorized by congress in 1861, it is sometimes called the “Congressional Medal of Honor”.
This memorial is designed with a distinct turn indicating civilization turning to a new course without war and the three blank blocks of concrete represent a future with an absence of any more medal of honor recipients.
This memorial was dedicated on the 14th day of October 1997.

World War I
Recipient --- Date and Place of Action:
Bleckley, 2D Lt. Erwin R. Oct.6, 1918 - Binarville, France • Coettler, 2D Lt. Harold E. - Oct. 6, 1918 - Binarville, France • Luke, 2D Lt. Frank, Jr. - Sept. 29,

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1918 - Murvaux, France • Rickenbacker, Capt. Edward V. - Sept. 25, 1918 - Billy, France

World War II
Recipient --- Date and Place of Action:
Baker, Lt. Col. Addison E. - Aug. 1, 1943 - Ploesti, Romania • Bong, Maj. Richard I. - Oct. 10-Nov. 15, 1944 - Southwest Pacific • Carswell, Maj. Horace S., Jr. - Oct. 26, 1944 - Southwest China Sea • Castle, Brig. Gen. Frederick W. - Dec. 24, 1944 - Liege, Belgium • Cheli, Maj. Ralph Aug.18, 1943 Wewak, New Guinea Craw, Col. Demas T. - Nov. 8, 1942 - Port Lyautey, French Morocco • Doolittle, Lt. Col. James H. - Apr. 18, 1942 - Tokyo, Japan • Erwin, SSgt. Henry E. - Apr. 12, 1945 - Koriyama, Japan • Femoyer, 2D Lt. Robert E. - Nov. 2, 1944 - Merseburg, Germany • Gott, 1St Lt. Donald J. - Nov. 9, 1944 - Saarbrucken, Germany • Hamilton, Maj. Pierpont M. - Nov. 8, 1942 - Port Lyautey, French Morocco • Howard, Lt. Col. James H. - Jan. 11, 1944 - Oschersleben, Germany • Hughes, 2D Lt. Lloyd H. - Aug. 1, 1943 - Ploesti, Romania • Jerstad, Maj. John L. - Aug. 1, 1943 - Ploesti, Romania • Johnson, Col. Leon W. - Aug. 1, 1943 - Ploesti, Romania • Kane, Col. John R. - Aug. 1, 1943 - Ploesti,

World War 1 - (2nd Plaque) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, February 20, 2012

2. World War 1 - (2nd Plaque)

Romania • Kearby, Col Neel E. - Oct. 11, 1943 - Wewak, New Guinea • Kingsley, 2D Lt. David R. - June 23, 1944 - Ploesti, Romania • Knight, 1st Lt. Raymond L. - Apr. 25, 1945 - Po Valley, Italy • Lawley, 1st Lt. William R., Jr. - Feb. 20, 1944 - Leipzig, Germany • Lindsey, Capt. Darrell R. - Aug. 9, 1944 - Pontoise, France • Mathies, SSgt. Archibald - Feb. 20, 1944 - Leipzig, Germany • Mathis, 1st Lt. Jack W. - Mar. 18, 1943 - Vegesack, Germany • McGuire, Maj. Thomas B., Jr. - Dec. 25-26, 1944 - Luzon, Philippine Islands • Metzger, 2D Lt. William E., Jr. - Nov. 9, 1944 - Saarbrucken, Germany • Michael, 1st Lt. Edwards S. - Apr. 11, 1944 - Brunswick, Germany • Morgan, 2D Lt. John C. - July 28, 1943 - Kiel, Germany • Pease, Capt. Harl, Jr. - Aug. 7, 1942 - Rabaul, New Britain • Pucket, 1st Lt. Donald D. - July 9, 1944 - Ploesti, Romania • Sarnoski, 2D Lt. Joseph R. - June 16, 1943 - Buka, Solomon Islands • Shomo, Maj. William A. - Jan. 11, 1945 - Luzon, Philippine Islands • Smith, SSgt. Maynard H. - May 1, 1943 - St. Nazaire, France • Truemper, 2D Lt. Walter E. - Feb. 20, 1944 - Leipzig, Germany • Vance, Lt. Col. Leon R., Jr. - June

World War II - (3rd Plaque) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, February 20, 2012

3. World War II - (3rd Plaque)

5, 1944 - Wimereaux, France • Vosler, TSgt. Forrest L. - Dec. 20, 1943 - Bremen, Germany • Walker, Brig. Gen. Kenneth N. - Jan. 5, 1943 - Rabaul, New Britain • Wilkins, Maj. Raymond H. - Nov. 2, 1943 - Rabaul, New Britain • Zeamer, Maj. Jay, Jr. - June 16, 1943 - Buka, Solomon Islands

Korea
Recipient --- Date and Place of Action:
Davis, Maj. George A., Jr. - Feb. 10, 1952 - Sinuiju-Yalu River, N. Korea • Loring, Maj. Charles J., Jr. - Nov. 22, 1952 - Sniper Ridge, N. Korea • Sebille, Maj. Louis J. - Aug. 5, 1950 - Hamchang, S. Korea • Walmsley, Capt. John S., Jr. - Sept. 14, 1951 - Yangdok, N. Korea

Vietnam
Recipient --- Date and Place of Action:
Bennett, Capt. Steven L. - June 29, 1972 - Quang Tri, S. Vietnam • Day, Col. George E. - Aug. 26, 1967 - Hanoi, N. Vietnam • Dethlefsen, Maj. Merlyn H. - Mar. 10, 1967 - Thai Nguyen, N. Vietnam • Fisher, Maj. Bernard F. - Mar. 10, 1966 - A Shau Valley, S. Vietnam • Fleming, 1st Lt. James P. - Nov. 26, 1968 - Duc Co, S. Vietnam • Jackson, Lt. Col. Joe M. - May 12, 1966 - Kham Duc, S. Vietnam • Jones, Col. William A., III - Sept.1, 1968 - Dong Hoi, N. Vietnam • Levitow, A1C John

Korea - (4th Plaque) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, February 20, 2012

4. Korea - (4th Plaque)

L. - Feb. 24, 1969 - Long Binh, S. Vietnam • Sijan, Capt. Lance P. - Nov. 9, 1969 - N. Vietnam • Thorsness, Lt. Col. Leo K. - Apr. 19, 1967 - N. Vietnam • Wilbanks, Capt. Hilliard A. - Feb.24, 1967 - Dalat, S. Vietnam Young, Capt. Gerald O. Nov. 9, 1967 Da Nang Area, S. Vietnam • Pitsenbarger, A1C William H. - Apr. 11, 1966 - Cam My S. Vietnam

Erected 1997 by Air Force Flight Test Center Command.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, Korean • War, Vietnam • War, World I • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list.

Location. 34° 55.68′ N, 117° 53.869′ W. Memorial is in Edwards AFB, California, in Kern County. It is at the intersection of Rosamond Boulevard and North Muroc Drive, on the right when traveling north on Rosamond Boulevard. The monument is located across the street from the old supply building. Edwards Air Force Base is not open to the public. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Edwards CA 93524, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this

Vietnam - (5th Plaque) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, February 20, 2012

5. Vietnam - (5th Plaque)

memorial is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

in the Mojave Desert,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sound Barrier Cracked (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bell XP-59A Jet Aircraft (approx. ¼ mile away); F-86F (approx. half a mile away); Leaps in Technology (approx. half a mile away); F-16B (approx. half a mile away); Jackie Cochran (approx. 0.7 miles away); Rocket Engine NF-104A (approx. 0.8 miles away); General Dynamics F-16XL (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwards AFB.

The Medal of Honor Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, February 20, 2012

6. The Medal of Honor Monument

Note the three blank concrete blocks seen on the right.

Photographed by Denise Boose, February 20, 2012

7. The Medal of Honor Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 1,005 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on March 16, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on December 26, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.