Idaho Heroes

We remember and honor all those who have served our country.

Idaho may be best known for its rugged mountains and potatoes, but its legacy of military heroism runs just as deep. From the Civil War through Vietnam and beyond, Idahoans have distinguished themselves with uncommon courage. Among them are Medal of Honor recipients, prisoners of war who died in captivity, and Purple Heart recipients who bore the scars of battle. This article honors their stories and Idaho's enduring commitment to those who serve.


Medal of Honor Recipients with Idaho Ties

Civil War to Early 20th Century

  • Gurdon H. Barter – U.S. Navy, buried in Viola, Idaho. Recognized for heroism at Fort Fisher, NC.
  • John Wesley Conaway – U.S. Army, buried in Post Falls, ID. Cited for valor at Vicksburg, MS.
  • John Henry Hayes – U.S. Army, buried in Moscow, ID. Captured a Confederate flag at Columbus, GA.


World Wars to Vietnam

  • Thomas C. Neibaur – World War I. Born in Sharon, ID. Single-handedly captured 11 Germans in France after being wounded.
  • Leonard C. Brostrom – WWII. Preston, ID. Killed while destroying a Japanese machine gun nest in the Philippines.
  • Lloyd G. McCarter – WWII. St. Maries, ID. Paratrooper who repelled Japanese forces on Corregidor.
  • Junior N. Van Noy – WWII. Grace, ID. Held a beach alone under fire in New Guinea, killing dozens before being fatally wounded.
  • Gregory "Pappy" Boyington – WWII. Born in Coeur d'Alene, ID. Legendary Marine ace, downed 28 enemy aircraft.
  • Vernon J. Baker – WWII. Settled in St. Maries, ID. First Black soldier to receive the Medal of Honor from WWII after a 50-year delay.
  • Arthur J. Jackson – WWII. Later settled in Boise, ID. Destroyed multiple Japanese bunkers on Peleliu.
  • David B. Bleak – Korean War. Idaho Falls, ID. Medic who killed enemy troops while treating wounded under fire.
  • James E. Johnson – Korean War. Pocatello, ID. Died covering Marine withdrawal at Chosin Reservoir.
  • Herbert A. Littleton – Korean War. Raised in Nampa, ID. Threw himself on a grenade to save fellow Marines.
  • Dan D. Schoonover – Korean War. Boise, ID. Killed leading multiple attacks on Pork Chop Hill.
  • Bernard F. Fisher – Vietnam. Kuna, ID. Landed under fire to rescue a fellow pilot in the A Shau Valley.
  • Ed W. Freeman – Vietnam. Boise, ID. Flew 14 missions into intense combat to evacuate wounded at Ia Drang.
  • Frank S. Reasoner – Vietnam. Raised in Kellogg, ID. Killed leading a 5-man recon team under ambush.


World War II Prisoners of War Who Died in Captivity

At least 64 Idaho-connected service members died in captivity during World War II. Many were lost in Japanese POW camps or when POW transport ships—such as the Arisan Maru and Oryoku Maru—were sunk.


Notable names include:

  • PFC Lester J. DeMouth – Pocatello, ID
  • PFC Albert W. Fawcett – Buhl, ID
  • PFC Earl J. George – Caldwell, ID
  • PFC Glen R. Seewer – Montpelier, ID
  • PhM3c Thomas W. Shillington – Jerome, ID
  • Capt. Kyle T. Ballantyne – Twin Falls County, ID
  • 1Lt. Frank W. Bovey – Idaho Falls, ID
  • 1Lt. John A. Brennan Jr. – Shoshone County, ID


These men were among the many who endured the harshest conditions of war only to perish behind enemy lines. Their courage and sacrifice are honored across the state and in military memorials nationwide.


Purple Heart Recipients and Recognitions in Idaho

The Purple Heart is awarded to those wounded or killed in service. Idaho is home to thousands of recipients from World War I through modern conflicts. Some notable examples include:

  • Capt. Alfred G. Isaac – Lewiston, ID. Wounded in Vietnam.
  • CW3 Nathaniel Loomis – Mountain Home, ID. Wounded in the Global War on Terror.
  • Arthur J. Jackson, Vernon J. Baker, Frank Reasoner – Medal of Honor recipients who also received Purple Hearts.


Idaho proudly honors these veterans. Over 30 cities—including Boise, Coeur d'Alene, Twin Falls, and Pocatello—are officially designated Purple Heart Cities. Bannock and Canyon Counties have Purple Heart County status. Institutions such as Boise State University and Idaho State University also commemorate their wounded alumni through Purple Heart designations.


The courage of Idaho’s military heroes spans generations. From Civil War soldiers to Vietnam helicopter pilots, their bravery under fire—and their sacrifice for freedom—stand as lasting testaments to Idaho’s role in American military history. Their names are etched in cemeteries, war memorials, and hometown hearts. They are more than heroes; they are Idaho’s own.


Here at Bigfoot Pest Control we honor those who serve our country and do our best to keep that in our memory. If you need pest control in Meridian or anywhere in the Treasure Valley, contact us today.