Has anyone ever been awarded the Victoria Cross as well as the Medal of Honor and Legion de Honor?

RickF

Billy Bishop, the WW1 Canadian flying ace certainly got two out of the three. In addition to his Victoria Cross he was also awarded the Companion of the Most Honourable Order the Bath (UK), the DSO and Bar, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Croix de Guerre avec Palmes and Legion d'Honneur (France). Major Louis Cukela (US Marines) won two Medals of Honor during WWI as well as the Medaille Militaire (he was the first Marine officer ever to receive this medal), the Legion d'Honneur in the rank of Chevalier, the Croix de Guerre with two palms, another Croix de Guerre with silver star, all by France; the Croce al Merito di Guerra by Italy; and Commander's Cross of the Royal Order of the Crown of Yugoslavia. Further research shows that numerous winners of the VC also received a Legion d'Honneur. It is unlikely anyone has been awarded all three medals in your question, as the VC and Medal of Honor are normally only awarded to the appropriate nation's troops. The Legion d'Honneur was given to lots of foreigners fighting in or for France, especially during WWI. Jan 24 05, 10:48 AM

spanishliz

The truly interesting 'double', in my opinion, is Assistant Surgeon William G.N. Manley, whose Victoria Cross was for a deed performed in New Zealand in 1864. Later, in 1870, he received the Prussian Iron Cross for services to the wounded (of both sides) during the Franco-Prussian War. Almost forgot to mention the award of the VC to the American Unknown Soldier of WWI. I'm not sure whether or not the US reciprocated with a Medal of Honor for the British Unknown. Jan 24 05, 2:21 PM

RickF

I had forgotten the "Unknown Warriors" too. The American Unknown Warrior, who is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, was presented with the Victoria Cross on behalf of King George V by Admiral of the Fleet Lord Beatty at the same time that he laid the King's wreath on the tomb, on 11 November 1921. The US Government bestowed a Congressional Medal of Honor on the British Unknown Soldier buried in Westminster Abbey. Jan 25 05, 3:07 AM