Showing Up On Veterans Day
To mark Veterans Day, host J.R. Martinez sits down with producer Ryan Sweikert to talk about what he’s learned from the stories of veterans who have received the Medal of…
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Rewarded for bravery that goes above and beyond the call of duty, the Medal of Honor is the United States’ highest military decoration. Hear about the men who charged enemy hills alone in World War II and pilots who risked everything to rescue the wounded in Vietnam. Follow escapes from prison camps and acts of sacrifice that didn’t involve a weapon at all—like the Four Chaplains, who gave up their lives so others could survive as their ship went down in the Atlantic.
Released every Wednesday, Medal of Honor uncovers the stories that redefine what it means to be an American. From a French-born Muslim immigrant who tackled a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, to a Marine who overcame disability to save his fellow troops, to legends like Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain at Gettysburg, Medal of Honor asks what heroism really is—and what it costs. Explore what these experiences reveal about courage, leadership, identity, and sacrifice—and what happens after you’ve done the extraordinary in the name of something bigger than yourself.
Binge the full season of Medal of Honor, ad-free, with a Pushkin+ subscriptions. Sign up on the Medal of Honor show page in Apple or at Pushkin.fm/plus and use the code MOH25 for 25% off an annual subscription.
Most Recent Episode
Carl Sitter: When Faith Led the Fight
The Chosin Reservoir was one of the most brutal battles of the Korean War, with overwhelming enemy forces and deadly weather. Into that fight came Captain Carl Sitter, a pudgy…
The Sailor Who Escaped Slavery
Enslaved on a plantation in South Carolina, Robert Blake had little chance for freedom. Then came a surprise battle, a bold choice, and a new mission in life: serving in…
How Marine Dan Daly Lived Forever
Dan Daly has been described as “America’s Fightin’est Marine,” who shouted that famous phrase, “Come on you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?” Here, we explore Dan’s…
Judy Resnick in Space: Full Throttle Up
The Congressional Space Medal of Honor is awarded to those who go above and beyond– at the farthest edges of our frontier. Judy Resnick was one of our country’s first…
Charlie Plumb’s Unexpectedly Long Mission
J. R. Martinez interviews an old friend of his — Captain Charlie Plumb, a U.S. Navy fighter pilot who was shot down in Vietnam and spent six years in the…
Bud Day: A POW’s Incredible Story
Shot down over Vietnam, Bud Day escaped from a prison camp and ran barefoot and wounded through the jungle. What happened to him over the next five long years is…
The Endless Fight of Macario Garcia
When President Harry Truman put the Medal of Honor around Macario Garcia’s neck, this heroic soldier wasn’t even an American citizen. Born in Mexico, Macario volunteered to serve in World…
Alvin York: The Dark Side of a War Hero
If you were alive between 1918 and 1940, it is absolutely certain that you would have heard of Alvin York’s famous exploits in World War One. But would you know…
Legacy of a Warrior: Dwight Birdwell
As a proud member of the Cherokee Nation, Dwight Birdwell was determined to fight for the country he loved. And his actions on the first day of the Tet Offensive…
The Optimism of Jefferson DeBlanc
When fighter pilot Jefferson DeBlanc survived being shot at in a crazy dogfight over the Solomon Islands in World War Two, his adventure was only beginning. What happened after he…
Celebrating National Medal of Honor Day
March 25th was designated by Congress as a day of recognition and gratitude for those who have demonstrated extraordinary heroism and courage. Today marks one hundred and sixty two years…
The Writer Behind the Medal of Honor
Malcolm chats with Meredith Rollins, the writer behind the series, to talk about what they both learned from the Medal of Honor recipients featured this season. They also share moments…
John Chapman’s Dark Night
John Chapman is the first member of the Air Force to receive the Medal of Honor since Vietnam. John’s story takes us to a freezing, snowy mountain range in Afghanistan…
Robert E Bush: from high school to hell and back
Robert E. Bush is one of the youngest recipients of the Medal of Honor. At only 18, Bob found himself at the Battle of Okinawa, the bloodiest and fiercest battle…
Jay Vargas Pulls the Trigger
During the worst days of the Vietnam war, Marine captain Jay Vargas led a group of young fighters called the Magnificent Bastards into the Battle of Dai Do. His actions…
How To Stop A School Shooting
The Citizen’s Medal of Honor was first awarded in 2008 to recognize ordinary Americans whose actions “epitomize the concept of ‘service beyond self’ … ‘above and beyond’” their call of…
Tibor Rubin’s Medicine (Part 2)
Tibor Rubin’s story continues. As a young man, Tibor joined the U.S. Army, and he was sent to fight during the Korean War, where he was captured and taken to…
Tibor Rubin’s Medicine (Part 1)
Tibor Rubin is the only Holocaust survivor to win the Medal of Honor. As a young man, Tibor joined the U.S. Army, and he was sent to fight during the…
Dr. Mary Walker’s True North
Dr. Mary Walker was the first and only woman to have been awarded the Medal of Honor. She worked as a surgeon during the Civil War, saving the lives of…
Alwyn Cashe: Into the Fire
Every Medal of Honor action is, by definition, heroic. But the story of Alwyn Cashe is about a very specific element of heroism: Sacrifice. In 2005, Sergeant First Class Alwyn…
The Unbreakable Chain of Douglas Munro
The story of Douglas A. Munro’s heroism is told to every man and woman who joins the United States Coast Guard. In 1942, he led a dangerous rescue that saved…
The Never-ending Battle of Henry Johnson
Henry Johnson, nicknamed Black Death, was one of the most famous American soldiers of World War I. He was part of the Harlem Hellfighters, the legendary all-Black U.S. Army unit,…
Courage is Contagious: Mike & Tommy
In the waning days of the Vietnam War, two Navy SEALs were dropped into enemy territory for a routine scouting mission. But within hours, Michael Thornton and Thomas Norris would…
Introducing Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage
Launching on June 26, Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage is a new podcast telling the extraordinary tales of some of the United States’s military heroes. Every week, we'll dive…
The Hosts
Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell is co-founder of Pushkin Industries and host of the hit podcast Revisionist History. He is a journalist, a speaker, and the author of several New York Times bestsellers including The Tipping…
J.R. Martinez
J.R. Martinez is a bestselling author, motivational speaker, advocate, wounded U.S. Army veteran, and actor who has been featured on All My Children, Dancing with the Stars, SAF3 and more.…
