World War II Medal of Honor Winner Matt Urban

His Gallantry Led to Him Being Perhaps America's Most Decorated Soldier

Medal of Honor winner Matt Urban may be the most decorated soldier in United States history. Another Congressional Medal of Honor winner, Audie Murphy, has held that distinction for years, but Matt Urban may have exceeded his totals. However, some inadvertent bureaucratic snafus caused Urban to not receive some of his medals until the problem was rectified. Whatever the final count, there is no debating the amazing courage and fortitude Matt Urban displayed in winning the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Matt Urban was born in Buffalo, New York, on August 25th, 1919. Growing up in a middle class family where money was tight, Matt worked to help contribute to his family's needs. He was able to put away enough money to be enrolled at Cornell University in 1937. He did well in school and also as a member of the boxing team; he was proficient enough at the sport to be crowned champion of his collegiate weight class in 1939. He joined Cornell's ROTC program, and was called to duty in June of 1941, six months before Pearl Harbor. He attended officer's school and joined the 60th Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. When the 60th received its orders in the summer of 1942, Matt Urban was the Executive Officer of Company F.

Right away Urban proved his mettle. In North Africa he was awarded a pair of Silver Stars and the first of an incredible seven Purple Hearts. As a matter of fact, the Germans would later nickname him "der geist" {the ghost} because of his ability to keep coming back when they thought he was dead! Due to the death of its commanding officer, Urban was assigned the leadership role of Company F.