When most folks hear about battlefield heroics, they think about moments of intense fighting—troops charging, defending a line, or making bold rescues in the face of gunfire. But among the most inspiring acts of American military bravery weren’t about bringing the battle to the enemy—they were about being steadfast in faith, serving others, and giving it all for something greater than self. Through America’s wars, there have been soldiers who had religious convictions compel them to remarkable acts of sacrifice. They weren’t all warriors; some were chaplains, medics, or reluctant warriors who believed that saving lives, not killing them, was their greatest calling. Here are eight inspiring accounts of Medal of Honor recipients whose bravery was fueled not just by duty, but by a profound sense of faith.
8. Major Charles J. Watters – Vietnam War
Major Charles Watters was a Catholic priest who volunteered to be an Army chaplain and served in the 173rd Airborne Brigade. In the bloody fight on Hill 875 on November 19, 1967, Watters repeatedly ran into enemy fire—not carrying a weapon, but arms open—to visit hurt men, bring comfort, and administer last rites. Even after being wounded, he continued to move in the midst of the chaos, distributing food and water, soothing the scared, and dragging the wounded to safety. He passed away while still attending to others. His Medal of Honor was given posthumously, not only for his courage, but also for the profound compassion that he exhibited under fire.
7. Captain Charles “Angelo” Liteky – Vietnam War
Charles Liteky, a chaplain with the 199th Infantry Brigade, exemplified living his faith in the most challenging manner possible. On December 6, 1967, in the area of Phuoc-Lac, Vietnam, he kept subjecting himself to danger to save over 20 wounded troops in the face of intense enemy fire. He at one time took a wounded soldier across an open battlefield on his back, crawling for cover while he was also wounded. He declined to be evacuated, opting to remain behind to assist other soldiers. After the war, he was an outspoken peace activist who eventually returned his Medal of Honor as a gesture of protest—a rare, personal act born of the same religious belief that moved him to serve during wartime.
6. Lieutenant Vincent R. Capodanno – Vietnam War
Marines dubbed him the “Grunt Padre,” a title that said everything about the type of chaplain Vincent Capodanno was. On September 4, 1967, he was serving with the 1st Marine Division when his unit was heavily attacked in Quang Tin Province. Capodanno had no hesitation—he charged into the gunfire to make his way to the injured. After taking a mortar wound to his arm, he declined medical care and kept moving through the wounded, providing prayers and consolation. When he saw a Navy corpsman lying down under machine gun fire, he went to assist—and was killed. Posthumously, he was given the Medal of Honor for laying down his life while serving his fellow Marines to the last.
5. Captain Emil J. Kapaun – Korean War
Father Emil Kapaun’s heroism didn’t stop when the guns fell silent. A Kansas Catholic priest, Kapaun was serving in Korea when his unit was under attack at the Battle of Unsan in 1950. He kept going back into the enemy fire to bring the wounded to safety, and when the unit was overrun, he remained behind with those who couldn’t leave. As a POW, he persisted in his work—praying with other prisoners, caring for the sick, and sharing what little rations he received with others. He passed away while in captivity, but his legacy lived on. In 2013, he was awarded posthumously with the Medal of Honor. Today, he’s a contender for sainthood—a testament to a life marked by sacrificial love.
4. Lieutenant Commander Joseph T. O’Callahan – World War II
When the USS Franklin aircraft carrier was bombed in March 1945 by the Japanese, pandemonium broke out. But amidst the flames and blasts, there stood a single man: Navy chaplain Joseph O’Callahan. A Jesuit priest, O’Callahan, didn’t hesitate before running across the blazing deck. He gave the dying last rites, coordinated crews to battle fires, and even cooled armed bombs that would detonate. His steady, firm leadership saved countless lives that day. He was awarded the Medal of Honor the next year, not merely for his courage, but for the peace and meaning he provided in a time of calamity.
3. Chaplain John M. Whitehead – Civil War
Chaplain John M. Whitehead served as a chaplain with the 15th Indiana Infantry during the Civil War. At the Battle of Stones River in Tennessee, Whitehead didn’t stay back of the lines. He went forward again and again into the storm of bullets to bring the wounded back to safety. He became famous for his bloody coat, drenched from pulling injured men off the field, thus earning him the nickname “The Bloody Chaplain.” Years later, in 1898, he received the Medal of Honor for his acts. After the war, he kept on serving others as a pastor—a suitable extension of his war ministry.
2. Private First Class Desmond Doss – World War II
Desmond Doss’s tale is one of the most extraordinary in military history. A Seventh-day Adventist and staunch pacifist, Doss would not carry a gun, but insisted on working as a combat medic. People doubted him initially. But at the Battle of Okinawa, he demonstrated his bravery beyond dispute. Within one day, he walked under constant fire to attend to and lead the wounded to safety, finally lowering about 75 men down a cliff to safety without firing a shot. He kept on tending others after being wounded by a grenade and a sniper. Doss was the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor, and President Truman himself lauded his deed as one of the greatest acts of courage ever seen.
1. Sergeant Alvin C. York – World War I
Alvin York’s journey to heroism started with deep reluctance. A devout man of faith, he initially applied as a conscientious objector, feeling war was against his beliefs. But after prayer and consultation with his commanders, he decided to go in on the agreement that he would not kill unless necessary. On the 8th of October, 1918, in the Argonne Forest, York led a small detachment behind enemy lines. When his company was ambushed, York advanced alone, killing several machine-gun nests and capturing over 130 German soldiers. His deeds brought him the Medal of Honor and international recognition. But he came back to a simple life, establishing schools and assisting people—a reminder that his biggest dedication was always to his people and his conscience.
These stories extend far beyond the battlefield. They illustrate how strongly-rooted faith and unshakeable devotion to others can create acts of awe-inspiring bravery. These men were not simply fighters—they were healers, guardians, and servants. And their legacies remind us to this day that sometimes the greatest act of bravery a person can exhibit is to remain steadfast in their convictions, even in war.