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★Victoria Cross

A comprehensive archive of decorated U.S. military heroes, objectively ranked by the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25). Honoring valor through history.

USM-25.2Scoring Standard

Scored under the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25)

Nicholas Oresko — Victoria Cross

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Heroic Score150760th out of 4480

Number of Medals8

Total Heroic & Non-Heroic Score162989 of 4480

U.S. Army#272of 2016

Infantry#270of 1502

World War II#324of 924

Nicholas Oresko

Master Sergeant, U.S. Army

World War II

Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart
Bronze Star Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (3)
World War II Victory Medal

Ribbon Rack

Biography

Nicholas Oresko was a highly decorated American combat veteran of World War II who served as a Master Sergeant in the United States Army. He is best known for his exceptional heroism on January 23, 1945, in Germany, which earned him the nation's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.

During the battle, Oresko single-handedly neutralized a German bunker position despite being seriously wounded. His quick thinking, bravery, and determination under intense enemy fire saved numerous lives in his unit and ensured the success of the assault, cementing his place in military history.

Following his distinguished service in the European theater, Oresko returned to the United States. He remained a respected figure in the veterans' community, living as one of the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipients before his passing.

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Score Breakdown

Medal of Honor(base 100)

+100

Bronze Star Medal(base 30)

+30

Unified Scoring Metrics Bonuses(career variety ×1.15 (2 medal types))

+20

Heroic Score150 pts