War decorations

My friend and I are having an argument about who is the most decorated soldier from WW2. We don't have many names in mind but I am saying it would be a Soviet soldier (especially one that fought at Stalingrad) while he is saying it would be a US soldier (With yanks being overtly more patriotic than most countries). I had a look at some of my books but none provided any insight. Does anyone have any knowledge that could help with this? If you could even give us the name of the actual soldier who was the most decorated would be most helpful.

Americans have long believed Audie Murphy was the 'most decorated WWII combat soldier' see www.audiemurphy.com

Countries vary hugely in customs concerning decorations. E.g. the USA awarded a decoration for being wounded (Purple Heart) in WWII while Britain made no award for wounds. (In WW1 British rankers were awarded a 'wound stripe' worn on the cuff and officers nothing.) The point is that it makes international comparisons difficult unless you can 'normalize' national differences.

In the US the most decorated soldier was Audie Murphy. I don't know the number of his decorations but they did include the Medal of Honor.

In the Soviet Union during the war one pilot named Ivan Khodzeub was awarded 3 Hero of the Soviet Union medals a feat unmatched until Breshnev awarded himself 4 or 5 in the 1970s.

Since the HSU is the equivalent of the MOH does receiving three of the HSU trump one MOH and a slew of other medals? To be sure Khodzeub was awarded numerous other awards.

Maj Audie Leon Murphy awards, B Co. 1st Bn, 15th Inf, 3rd ID (Rock of the Marne)... (promoted to CPT and MAJ as a member of the Texas National Guard's 36th Infantry Division)

Medal of Honor Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star with First Oak Leaf Cluster Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal with 'V' Device and First Oak Leaf Cluster Purple Heart with Second Oak Leaf Cluster U.S. Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal Good Conduct Medal Distinguished Unit Emblem with First Oak Leaf Cluster European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with One Silver Star, Four Bronze Service Stars (representing nine campaigns) and one Bronze Arrowhead (representing assault landing at Sicily and Southern France) American Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp Armed Forces Reserve Medal Combat Infantry Badge Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar Expert Badge with Bayonet Bar French Fourragere in Colors of the Croix de Guerre French Legion of Honor French Croix de Guerre with Palm French Croix de Guerre with Silver Star Medal of Liberated France Belgian Croix de Guerre with Palm Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster.

A bit of overkill...

Cheers and all,

It is probably hard to compare decorations of different countries. Germanys highest decorated soldier was Hans-Ulrich Rudel, who was awarded with Knights Cross with Golden Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds. This award was given only once during the entire war.

See http://www.achtungpanzer.com/gen9.htm

Claus-Juergen Heigl

Many U.S. officers were awarded medals by the Frenceh,Belgin and British governments.

My father in law recieved them from all three including a Knight Commander of the British Empire.

I have a photo of a group of USAAF officers (Col and above) recieving the Croix de guerre from a French officer in 1945.

Three, for spurious reasons other than his immense and misplaced self-esteem, but they were taken away in Boris Yeltsin time and the dignity of the Order restored

Cheers,