<P> The Iraq War , Operation Iraqi Freedom ( US ) , Operation TELIC ( UK ) or the occupation of Iraq , was a conflict which began on March 20 , 2003 with the United States - led invasion of Iraq by a multinational coalition composed of U.S. and U.K. troops supported by smaller contingents from Australia , Poland , and other nations . Four service members have received the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq ; two from the Army , one from the Marine Corps and one from the Navy . Paul R. Smith was the first to receive it for his actions on April 4 , 2003 when he held enemy forces back , allowing other wounded soldiers to be evacuated to safety . The other three , Corporal Jason Dunham of the Marine Corps , Specialist Ross A. McGinnis of the Army and Master - at - Arms Second Class Michael A. Monsoor of the Navy received it after being killed while using their own bodies to smother grenades to protect their comrades . </P>
<P> The Iraq War , Operation Iraqi Freedom ( US ) , Operation TELIC ( UK ) or the occupation of Iraq , was a conflict which began on March 20 , 2003 with the United States - led invasion of Iraq by a multinational coalition composed of U.S. and U.K. troops supported by smaller contingents from Australia , Poland , and other nations . Four service members have received the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq ; two from the Army , one from the Marine Corps and one from the Navy . Paul R. Smith was the first to receive it for his actions on April 4 , 2003 when he held enemy forces back , allowing other wounded soldiers to be evacuated to safety . The other three , Corporal Jason Dunham of the Marine Corps , Specialist Ross A. McGinnis of the Army and Master - at - Arms Second Class Michael A. Monsoor of the Navy received it after being killed while using their own bodies to smother grenades to protect their comrades . </P>
how many service members received the medal of honor during the war in iraq
how many service members received the medal of honor during the war in iraq
Four
Four