Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage

The Medal of Honor is the United States’ highest military award. It is given for bravery in combat that goes far above and beyond the call of duty – those acts of heroism and courage that save lives despite impossible risk.

This podcast is about those heroes. What they did. What it meant. And what their stories tell us about the nature of sacrifice – and about ourselves.

In our first season, you’ll hear stories about Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War to the Iraq War. We’ll think about what makes a hero, why people put their lives in danger for others, the true nature of sacrifice, and what happens after you’ve become a hero.

Special thanks to series creator Dan McGinn, to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Adam Plumpton.

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Recent Reviews
  • Ryukyu Daddy
    Great topic, poor choice of narrator
    Regrettably these tales of courage are narrated by a race- baiting Canadian bringing anything but dignity to topics demanding nothing less but reverence and dignity .
  • Anonymous 39595456
    Courage is contagious
    You should do the first Native American to win metal of honor in the pacific campaign
  • Michael Mets
    Medal of Honor
    Updates…NEEDED!
  • designscouting
    Excellent series; highly recommend for long drives
    I can’t say enough great things about this podcast series - I’ve listened to the first episode four times and recommended it to countless others. I made my husband and teenage son listen to the series - so much here about integrity, courage and being part of much larger whole! Bravo to the whole team!
  • 43mom
    Very inspiring
    I love to hear war stories. They remind me of the sacrifices people have made in my behalf so I can do what I can to keep our freedoms and liberties alive because I am so thankful for America and it’s constitution that protects my rights and ability to be happy! Thank you for Sharing these stories with all of us!
  • Cmac 1315
    What happened
    What happened to this podcast? Did they discontinue doing these podcasts? I don’t get anymore downloads available
  • MLBergy
    Inspiring and Humbling
    This is a phenomenal podcast hosted and explained exactly the way it should be. Listening to these stories puts perspective into who our real heroes are. Thank you for sharing these astonishing stories that have shed a little bit of light on what real integrity, bravery, and courage look like.
  • BenLikesExchangeServer
    Heros Highlighted but Podcast Fails
    First off, these are heros honored in the podcast. But the production and story is what I’m reviewing this on. Overall I really wanted to like this podcast but it falls flat and is not worth of the podcast title “medal of honor” but “dishonorable discharge” since it lacked depth and it’s just not engaging enough. I listened to 2 entire shows. First was one that was pushed into my podcast feed (a Freak Economics show so I’m use to high quality production). It was on How to Stop a School Shooting. It felt like a religious story of the lord has come down to help the hero. Malcom offered tons of softball questions and she answered only a few of them. There were so many things the hero in that story would not answer. It was one of the most frustrating podcasts I had listened to. And it was over 1 hr long. I really think they should’ve just edited it out this podcast or just used it in advertisements but not actually publish the entire podcast. I think they felt obligated to publish it since it was a school shooting when in reality it should have not been used. It’s a hard editor decision, I get it. But quality over quantity is important. 2nd podcast was Robert E Bush. It was more interesting but boring. How do you make World War 2 boring? Malcom Gladwell did it. It’s surprising and upsetting. Hence I’m reviewing and then deleting it. Please do a much better job.
  • AlexOlsen
    Must listen!!
    Can’t recommend enough. So inspiring to learn about the incredible acts of courage. Thank you for memorializing these amazing people. Please do another season!
  • SMAD4
    Thank you John Chapman
    This one really got to me. John Chapman got the episode and the MoH he deserved. Left behind at the top of a mountain, gutshot, engaging the enemy for an hour witnessed only by a predator, and left cover to suppress an RPG nest. Found shot in the heart with two rounds left. Legendary. I am in awe and disbelief. When I went to the Academy, nobody knew his name. I bet they do now.
  • Kimster61
    Patriotism at its best
    This podcast is so inspirational and very moving. It reminds us of the lengths some have gone to to preserve our freedom and safety. I think this should be required listening in schools.
  • Lclaurie
    There is no Congressional Medal of Honor
    The Robert Bush episode recognizes the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. There is no such award. The Medal of Honor is approved by the President, not Congress.
  • T00 funny
    Best podcast in years
    So inspiring, such great story telling. Reminds us of the humanity and humility as an essential part of courage which is indeed contagious in the podcast!!
  • JamesZoola
    The advertisement is insane!!!
    Please, please someone make it make sense as to why you would advertise the Medal of Honor podcast multiple times on the MEDAL OF HONOR PODCAST!?!?! This has to be some twisted Gladwell thought experiment. Otherwise, the stories are quite compelling.
  • Bkr971
    Excellent
    I really enjoy listening to these stories. I wish you would do an episode about Roy Benavidez. He was a real life superhero
  • Jiujitsero
    Great pod, brutal ads
    Surprised gladwell would do a pod and read ads for the pod…that is playing. Ads are annoying enough as it is but this is a new level
  • eaomom
    Amazing
    When I listen to Medal of Honor I always learn about a new story of amazing bravery and courage. I would like to see a episode about Ben L Solomon.
  • Seb 2.o
    This would be a 5 start review but
    Why am I listening to an advertisement for the podcast that I’m currently listening to 2-3 times each episode?
  • Woz64
    Captivating
    I am captivated by both the content and the production of each episode I have heard so far. The narration is masterful. Kudos.
  • Haoli44
    Fascinating and worth listening to, but….
    Pushkin (a Malcom Gladwell product) is behind this podcast and I look forward to the introduction of each episode. The thing is, and if you listen to any show from Pushkin, you know this already, they push their other shows relentlessly, there are times when my “new and next up” feed has 6 different “bonus” episodes and everyone of them is the same exact “bonus” content. This is aggravating, but understandable. What’s not understandable and annoying to distraction is listening to a Pushkin show, such as Medal of Honor and have Malcom’s voice interrupt the show to tell you about a great new show, and the show he’s promoting? Medal of Honor, the show you’re already listening to, and not just once every couple episodes, but multiple times each episode. I feel like Malcom is saying, “Hey, you! I know you’re not nearly as smart and clever as I am, so I feel that I’ve got to remind you over and over and over again, to give a listen. You’re listening now, I know, but the intelligence thing. You’re just not bright enough to figure out it’s a great show, unless I tell you it is. Repeatedly. I’ve read his books and admire his level of understanding things in such a way that may not occur to most others and his ability to explain. I guess I expected better from him than to be a carnival pitchman or a Toyota salesman
  • Ebrinks24
    Good stories but
    These are great stories but nearly every one of them has to have some sort of social injustice to it. If they were just stories of valor, I could get more behind it.
  • NotAtAllSarcastic
    Thank you
    As a combat veteran, thank you Malcolm for bringing these stories to people who may never have heard these stories. Some of whom, sadly I have no doubt, may not hold our military in high regard.
  • ShellMTCall
    Amazing Podcast!
    As the granddaughter of a Navy veteran who fought for our country in the Pacific during WWII, I have the ultimate respect for those that dedicate their lives to the service. These stories are incredible and inspiring!
  • RyNinjaDeathShark
    Love the show
    This has been the most exciting podcast I have heard in a while. I would love to hear a episode about William F. Dean.
  • wallyman 240
    Beautifully told
    Amazing stories of courage and bravery told beautifully.
  • bennett_Dinosaur
    Treasures
    Stories that need told. Gladwell has a great way of drawing out profound lessons.
  • Classic Star Trek Forever
    Henry Johnson an Amazing Harlem Hellfighter
    This is an amazing yet sad story. Johnson came home to an excited, admiring public and was rightly celebrated. His valor was unparalleled and he was an American. But, what Johnson needed was time for his body to recover, that is hard for an excited, admiring American public. I think before Wilson became President, preconceptions of black Americans was changing. Policies put in place by President Garfield, like offering and hiring in government positions such as the post office, started integration and advancement in the work place. It wasn’t great but it’s a start, considering their backward thinking and lack of knowledge in neurology.
  • Conchs82
    Reverence and Honor
    A powerful show at a moment in our history where heroism and bravery are not always recognized. Thank you
  • JasonHensley35
    Please, Don’t Stop Making Episodes!
    This has quickly become one of my favorite podcasts. The stories are moving, each one has moved me to tears so far. I would listen to each Medal of Honor recipient’s story, all 3,000+, especially if they’re told by the great Malcolm Gladwell. Keep it going guys!
  • cecegrrl
    Medals of Honor
    Heroism at its highest level. Well done. Belated tears for my father, who fought in the Pacific Theater as a Marine; witness to some of the fiercest battles. I was enlightened to learn that courage is contagious! Thank you!
  • BCD2349
    Medal of Honor
    Beautifully crafted. The descriptions and tensions put me right in the action. Looking forward to the next episode.
  • WingsMama
    Infect me please!
    Listening to this podcast makes me want to be courageous. It talks about how courage is contagious. And after listening to the first episode, I’ve been infected. Thank you for the powerful storytelling about extraordinary acts of courage. We can all show courage in every day life.
  • Wingwalker47
    Medal of Honor
    This first story was very moving..
  • Histlover482
    Moving
    This podcast is extremely well-researched and written. These aren’t your average war stories - there’s depth and dimension to them. Really moving
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