Honor wall

Honoring the courage, sacrifice, and legacy of Orange County veterans who served our nation with honor, valor, and dedication.

In Eternal Remembrance

This Honor Wall recognizes veterans, service members, and heroes whose bravery and sacrifice continue to inspire future generations.

DAV Chapter 23 proudly honors the memory of Orange County veterans who defended freedom and served our nation with distinction across every branch of the United States Armed Forces.

Orange County Heroes

Walter D. Ehlers

World War II Medal of Honor recipient recognized for extraordinary heroism during the D-Day invasion of Normandy.

Ehlers repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire while leading attacks against German positions and protecting fellow soldiers during combat operations in France.

Michael A. Monsoor

United States Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient from Garden Grove who sacrificed his life protecting fellow SEALs in Iraq.

Monsoor threw himself onto a grenade during combat operations in Ramadi, saving the lives of fellow SEALs and Iraqi soldiers.

John Baca

Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient who shielded fellow soldiers from a grenade blast with his own body.

Despite severe injuries, Baca survived and continued to represent the courage and sacrifice of American veterans for decades afterward.

Tibor Rubin

Korean War Medal of Honor recipient known for extraordinary bravery and sacrifice while serving under combat conditions and as a prisoner of war.

A Holocaust survivor, Rubin repeatedly risked his life to save fellow prisoners and soldiers during the Korean War.

William E. Barber

Marine Corps Captain and Medal of Honor recipient recognized for extraordinary leadership and heroism during the Korean War.

Despite being wounded and surrounded by enemy forces, Barber refused evacuation and led his command through five days of intense combat while defending a critical mountain pass.

Chris Carr

Army Sergeant awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism during World War II.

Carr single-handedly captured multiple enemy positions, killed enemy soldiers, and captured more than twenty prisoners while advancing under heavy fire.

Clarence B. Craft

Army Private First Class and Medal of Honor recipient honored for bravery during World War II.

Craft advanced through enemy fire, cleared trenches with grenades, and forced enemy troops from fortified positions allowing his platoon to continue its advance.

Donald A. Gary

Navy Lieutenant awarded the Medal of Honor for heroic actions aboard the USS Franklin during World War II.

Gary repeatedly entered burning compartments to rescue trapped sailors and organized damage-control efforts that helped save the ship.

Nelson M. Holderman

Army Captain and Medal of Honor recipient recognized for valor during World War I.

Though seriously wounded, Holderman continued leading his battalion and carried wounded soldiers through enemy fire to safety.

Kenneth A. Walsh

Marine Corps aviator and Medal of Honor recipient celebrated for aerial combat heroism during World War II.

Walsh repeatedly engaged overwhelming enemy fighter formations and shot down numerous Japanese aircraft during Pacific combat operations.

Kenneth L. Worley

Marine Corps Lance Corporal awarded the Medal of Honor for valor during the Vietnam War.

Worley sacrificed his life by shielding fellow Marines from a grenade blast during an enemy ambush.

Eugene R. Brady

Marine Corps Colonel awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War.

While commanding a transport helicopter mission under intense enemy fire and deteriorating weather conditions, Brady evacuated wounded Marines from heavily defended enemy territory.

Jacksel M. Broughton

Air Force Colonel awarded the Air Force Cross during the Vietnam War.

Broughton illuminated heavily defended targets in North Vietnam while serving as a decoy to protect strike forces.

Thomas P. Clark Jr.

Marine Corps Captain awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross during the Vietnam War.

Clark led repeated bombing runs under intense enemy fire to protect a reconnaissance patrol and support helicopter resupply operations.

Roger C. Crow

Navy Commander awarded the Navy Cross for heroism during World War II naval combat operations.

Crow participated in aggressive dive-bombing attacks against Japanese naval forces in the Solomon Islands Campaign despite intense enemy resistance.

Sidney Goldstein

Army Major awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism during World War II.

Leading a small force against fortified German positions, Goldstein captured enemy officers and dozens of soldiers helping achieve a major breakthrough.

Ernesto Gomez

Marine Corps Corporal awarded the Navy Cross for heroism during the Vietnam War.

While under intense enemy fire during a medical evacuation mission, Gomez shielded and rescued a wounded Marine to ensure his safe evacuation.

Donald Hogan

Marine Corps Lance Corporal awarded the Navy Cross for heroic actions in Afghanistan.

Hogan risked his life to shield fellow Marines and warn his patrol of an imminent improvised explosive device attack.

Vincent Okamoto

Army Second Lieutenant awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War.

Okamoto repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to restore defensive positions and repel a large enemy assault despite being wounded in combat.

Richard D. Wandke

Army Lieutenant Colonel awarded the Distinguished Service Cross during the Vietnam War.

Though critically wounded, Wandke remained behind directing artillery fire and protecting wounded soldiers during an intense enemy engagement.


Veterans Archive

Browse the DAV23 Honor Wall archive honoring veterans and members remembered by DAV Chapter 23.

Honor Wall – In Remembrance

This page honors the memory and service of our members and fellow veterans.

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John Baca

Specialist Fourth Class (SP4) • Army

Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient. Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient who shielded fellow soldiers from a grenade blast with his own body. Despite severe injuries, Baca survived and continued to represent the courage and sacrifice of American veterans for decades afterward.

Michael A. Monsoor

Petty Officer Second Class • Navy • Passed: 2006-09-29

Navy SEAL Medal of Honor recipient from Garden Grove. United States Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient from Garden Grove who sacrificed his life protecting fellow SEALs in Iraq. Monsoor threw himself onto a grenade during combat operations in Ramadi, saving the lives of fellow SEALs and Iraqi soldiers.

Tibor Rubin

Corporal • Army • Passed: 2005-12-05

CPL Tibor Rubin Medal of Honor Citation   Rank and organization: CPL (then PFC), I Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division Place and date:  North Korea 30 Oct 1950 to 20 Apr 1953 Entered service: San Francisco, California Born: 18 June 1929, Paszto, Hungary   Citation:  For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life […]

Walter D. Ehlers

Second Lieutenant • Army • Passed: 2014-02-20

World War II Medal of Honor recipient from Orange County. World War II Medal of Honor recipient recognized for extraordinary heroism during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Ehlers repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire while leading attacks against German positions and protecting fellow soldiers during combat operations in France.


Oral Histories

Preserving the voices, memories, and stories of veterans and their families for future generations.

Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Watch interviews and historical stories from Medal of Honor recipients and military veterans.


Watch Videos

Library of Congress Veterans History Project

The Veterans History Project preserves firsthand accounts of American war veterans from every conflict.


Explore Oral Histories

National WWII Museum

Historical interviews and oral histories from World War II veterans.


View Collection

Vietnam Veterans Oral Histories

Recorded stories from Vietnam veterans documenting combat experiences and military service.


Watch Interviews


Orange County Veteran Map

Recognizing hometowns, memorial sites, and the lasting impact of veterans throughout Orange County communities.

Heroes Hall Veterans Museum

OC Fair & Event Center — Costa Mesa

Dedicated to preserving and honoring Orange County military history and veterans.


Visit Heroes Hall

Orange County Walk of Honor

A memorial honoring Orange County Medal of Honor recipients and highly decorated veterans.


View Walk of Honor

Orange County Veterans Cemetery

A final resting place dedicated to Orange County veterans and their families.


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Garden Grove

Home of Medal of Honor recipient Michael A. Monsoor and numerous Orange County veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Santa Ana

Historic Orange County military community with generations of veterans serving in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and modern conflicts.

Costa Mesa

Location of Heroes Hall and the Orange County Walk of Honor memorializing highly decorated veterans.

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