They are members of an exclusive club.

Forty-eight recipients of the Medal of Honor — the U.S. military's highest honor, awarded for individual acts of valor — will gather in Gettysburg Wednesday for the annual convention of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Their ranks include numerous veterans of the Vietnam War; four Medal of Honor recipients who served in World War II. Five veterans of the Korean War, and two men who were awarded the medal in recent years for their actions in battle in Afghanistan.

Here is a quick look at the Medal of Honor recipients who will attend the convention, which continues through Sept. 22, and the actions that earned each of them the medal. More details for each are available at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society website.

UPDATE: Four of the recipients attending the convention are graduates of the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle: Patrick Brady, Roger Donlon, Wesley Fox and Gordon Roberts.

Age: 64

Birthplace: Providence, R.I.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, specialist fourth class

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issue: June 15, 1971

Background: Baca threw his helmet and then himself on a live grenade, absorbing the explosion and saving the lives of eight soldiers Feb. 10, 1970, in Phuoc Long Province, Vietnam.

Age: 67

Birthplace: Kansas City, Mo.

Organization and rank: U.S. Navy, hospital corpsman second class

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issue: May 14, 1970

Background: While assisting wounded soldiers during an ambush May 16, 1968, in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, Ballard threw himself on a grenade. When it failed to detonate, he continued treating soldiers.

Age: 73

Birthplace: Cheshire, Conn.

Organization and rank: U.S. Marine Corps, first lieutenant

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issue: Feb. 27, 1967

Background: Barnum moved through enemy fire to control the air attack against the enemy while directing a platoon in a counterattack on key enemy positions and evacuating wounded and dead soldiers Dec. 18, 1965, in Ky Phu in Quang Tin Province, Vietnam.

Age: 66

Birthplace: Rochester, N.Y.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, sergeant

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issue: Oct. 15, 1973

Background: Beikirch returned repeatedly to remove wounded soldiers from the field during the defense of Camp Dak Seang on April 1, 1970, in Kontum Province, Vietnam.

Age: 76

Birthplace: Philip, S.D.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, major

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issue: Oct. 9, 1969

Background: Braving close-range enemy fire and difficult weather conditions, Brady evacuated 51 wounded soldiers Jan. 6, 1968 near Chu Lai, Vietnam.

Age: 70

Birthplace: Washington, D.C.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, captain

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issue: May 14, 1970

Background: Bucha led his soldiers in the destruction of enemy fortifications and base areas and eliminated resistance during a reconnaissance-in-force mission from March 16-19, 1968, near Phuoc Vinh, Binh Duong Province, Vietnam.

Age: 80

Birthplace: Olympia, Wash.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, major

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issue: Feb. 26, 2007

Background: Crandall landed his aircraft under heavy enemy fire to load wounded soldiers and remove them from combat on Nov. 14, 1965, in Ia Drang Valley, Vietnam.

Age: 88

Birthplace: Loch Sheldrake, N.Y.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, private first class

Conflict: World War II

Date medal issue: July 27, 1945

Background: Currey’s extensive knowledge of weapons helped him inflict losses on the Germans, rescue five U.S. soldiers and fighting off an attack which threatened to flank his battalion's position on Dec. 21, 1944, in Malmedy, Belgium.

Age: 64

Birthplace: Dayton, Ohio

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, private first class

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issue: Nov. 19, 1968

Background: Davis overcame extensive personal injuries to fire back a large Viet Cong force until it fled Nov. 18, 1967, west of Cai Lay, Vietnam.

Age: 81

Birthplace: Grand Rapids, Mich.

Organization and rank: U.S. Marine Corps, corporal

Conflict: Korean War

Date medal issue: Nov. 12, 1953

Background: Dewey threw himself on a missile, absorbing the explosion and saving a fellow soldier April 16, 1952, near Panmunjon, Korea.

Age: 79

Birthplace: Saugerties, N.Y.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, captain

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issue: Dec. 5, 1964

Background: While suffering serious personal injuries, Donlon led the defense of Camp

Age: 92

Birthplace: Junction City, Kan.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, staff sergeant

Conflict: World War II

Date medal issue: Dec. 19, 1944

Background: Ehlers repeatedly led his soldiers against heavily defended enemy strong points and exposed himself to deadly hostile fire, suffering personal injuries, from June 9-10, 1944, near Goville, France.

Age: 63

Birthplace: Jamestown, N.D.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, specialist fourth class

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issue: Oct. 15, 1973

Background: After throwing himself on an explosive device and absorbing the blast to save his comrades, Fitzmaurice continued fighting North Vietnamese soldiers March 23, 1971, in Khe Sanh, Vietnam.

Age: 70

Birthplace: Sedalia, Mo.

Organization and rank: U.S. Air Force, first lieutenant

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issue: May 14, 1970

Background: Enduring heavy enemy fire, Fleming went to the aid of a six–member patrol that was being overrun by a large, heavily armed hostile force Nov. 26, 1968, near Duc Co, Vietnam.

Age: 72

Birthplace: Newton, Mass.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, captain

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issue: May 1, 1968

Background: Overcoming heavy enemy fire and personal injuries, Foley helped remove soldiers from the jungle in Nov. 5, 1966, near Quan Dau Tieng, Vietnam.

Age: 81

Birthplace: Herndon, Va.

Organization and rank: U.S. Marine Corps, first lieutenant

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issue: March 2, 1971

Background: Fox led an attack against concealed enemy forces, when an executive officer was killed, Feb. 22, 1969, in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam.

Age: 69

Birthplace: Chicago, Ill.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, first lieutenant

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issue: March 2, 1971

Background: While leading tanks to escort a truck convoy, Fritz and his soldiers were attacked Jan. 11, 1969, in Binh Long Province, Vietnam. He fought back despite his personal injuries and defeated the enemy.

Age: 28

Birthplace: Clinton, Iowa

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, staff sergeant

Conflict: War In Afghanistan

Date medal issue: Nov. 16, 2010

Background: During a patrol, Giunta rescued a wounded U.S. soldier from insurgents while fighting the enemy in harsh terrain Oct. 25, 2007, in Korengal Valley, Afghanistan.

Age: 67

Birthplace: Lincoln, Neb.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, specialist fourth class

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issue: May 14, 1961

Background: Hagemeister drew deadly enemy fire to save wounded soldiers March 20, 1967, in Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam.

Age: 82

Birthplace: Colton, Calif.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, corporal

Conflict: Korean War

Date medal issue: April 11, 1952

Background: Hernandez rushed the enemy with limited weapons, allowing his unit to counterattack and retake lost ground May 31, 1951, near Wontong-ni, Korea.

Age: 89

Birthplace: Fall River, Mass.

Organization and rank: U.S. Navy, lieutenant

Conflict: Korean War

Date medal issued: April 13, 1951

Background: On Dec. 4, 1950, Hudner, a pilot, risked his life trying to rescue a downed pilot trapped in burning wreckage behind enemy lines in the Chosin Reservoir area of Korea.

Age: 68

Birthplace: Clearwater, Fla.

Organization and rank: U.S. Navy, petty officer

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: July 10, 1998

Background: Ingram’s platoon was decimated by fire from 100 North Vietnamese on March 28, 1966. He was wounded four times, but continued trying to aid fellow wounded soldiers in Vietnam.

Age: 90

Birthplace: Newman, Ga.

Organization and rank: U.S. Air Force, lieutenant colonel

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: Jan. 16, 1969

Background: Jackson, pilot of a C-123, rescued a combat team from a besieged special forces camp that had been overrun by hostile forces May 12, 1968, in Kham Duc, Vietnam.

Age: 65

Birthplace: Quality, Ky.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, private first class

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: March 2, 1971

Background: Jenkins, a machine gunner on a reconnaissance mission Jan. 6, 1969, in Kien Phong Province, Vietnam, exposed himself to heavy fire on a resupply mission. Despite being hit by shrapnel, he rescued wounded soldiers.

Age: 74

Birthplace: Boston, Mass.

Organization and rank: U.S. Navy, lieutenant

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: May 14, 1970

Background: While leading several river assault craft on a rescue mission June 15, 1969, in Kien Hoa Province, Vietnam, Kelley continued directing the assault, despite serious head wounds.

Age: 80

Birthplace: New York, N.Y.

Organization and rank: U.S. Marine Corps, captain

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: Oct. 25, 1967

Background: Lee led an assault to rescue a surrounded platoon from Aug. 8-9, 1966, near Cam Lo, Vietnam, and suffered multiple shrapnel wounds.

Age: 68

Birthplace: Henderson, Ky.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, sergeant first class

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: N/A

Background: Littrell, an infantry adviser, exhibited “near superhuman endurance” as he single-handedly led his besieged battalion to repel assaults from April 4-8, 1970, in Kontum Province, Vietnam.

Age: 73

Birthplace: Towns, Ga.

Organization and rank: U.S. Marine Corps, captain

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: May 14, 1970

Background: Livingston was wounded three times while leading his soldiers to relieve a stranded company May 2, 1968 in Dai Do, Vietnam.

Age: 67

Birthplace: Chicago, Ill.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, specialist fourth class

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: May 14, 1970

Background: Radio operator Lynch dashed across open ground to rescue wounded soldiers multiple times Dec. 15, 1967, in Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam.

Age: 71

Birthplace: Washington, Pa.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, second lieutenant

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: Dec. 19, 1966

Background: Marm led his platoon through enemy fire Nov. 14, 1965, in Ia Drang Valley, Vietnam. He exposed himself to draw fire so a concealed machine gun could be destroyed, and attacked enemy positions through intense fire, sustaining a jaw wound.

Age: 92

Birthplace: Boise, Idaho

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, technician fifth grade

Conflict: World War II

Date medal issued: May 12, 1945

Background: Maxwell and three other soldiers defended an observation post Sept. 7, 1944, near Besancon, France, armed only with .45 caliber pistols. He shielded fellow shoulders from a grenade with his body and a blanket, resulting in permanent injury.

Age: 73

Birthplace: Boston, Mass.

Organization and rank: U.S. Marine Corps, staff sergeant

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: March 12, 1968

Background: On July 18, 1966, McGinty suffered injuries after he charged through intense automatic weapons and mortar fire to rescue 20 wounded soldiers July 18, 1966, in Vietnam.

Age: 69

Birthplace: Jacksonville, Fla.

Organization and rank: U.S. Navy, lieutenant

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: March 6, 1976

Background: Norris led the rescue of two downed pilots deep in enemy territory from April 10-13, 1972, in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam. In one of the rescues, Norris dressed as a fisherman in a sampan and called for an air strike when they came under heavy machine gun fire.

Age: 70

Birthplace: Woodside, N.Y.

Organization and rank: U.S. Marine Corps, corporal

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: Dec. 6, 1966

Background: O’Malley charged enemy positions, and led wounded to an evacuation helicopter despite personal injuries Aug. 18, 1965, near An Cu'ong 2, South Vietnam.

Age: 65

Birthplace: Durham, N.C.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, specialist fourth class

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: Oct. 10, 1969

Background: When his platoon was pinned down May 6, 1968, near La Chu, Vietnam, Patterson moved forward through enemy fire to destroy five enemy bunkers.

Age: 68

Birthplace: Chihuahua, Mexico

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, specialist fourth class

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: Feb. 8, 2000

Background: Rascon, a medic, braved enemy fire to rescue wounded soldiers March 16, 1966, in Vietnam. He was wounded while shielding injured soldiers from machine gun fire and grenades, and recovering ammunition for defenders to use.

Age: 63

Birthplace: Middletown, Ohio

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, specialist fourth class

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: March 2, 1971

Background: Roberts, a rifleman, charged four enemy bunkers after his unit was pinned down, and helped evacuate wounded soldiers July 11, 1969, in Thua Thien Province, Vietnam.

Age: 32

Birthplace: Lake City, Calif.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, staff sergeant

Conflict: War in Afghanistan

Date medal issued: Feb. 11, 2013

Background: Romesha defended against enemy machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire, destroying multiple enemy targets even after sustaining shrapnel wounds during combat Oct. 3, 2009, in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan. He directed air support to destroy 30 enemy fighters, and provided cover for fallen soldiers to seek aid and prevent enemy fighters from taking them.

Age: 83

Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, corporal

Conflict: Korean War

Date medal issued: June 27, 1952

Background: Rosser charged enemy positions despite being under fire, was wounded and came to the aid of wounded fellow soldiers Jan. 12, 1952, in Ponggilli, Korea.

Age: 66

Birthplace: Chenango, Texas

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, specialist fifth class

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: March 7, 1969

Background: While serving as a medical aidman Jan. 10, 1968, in Ding Tuong Province, Vietnam, Sasser was wounded multiple times while aiding fallen airmen.

Age: 83

Birthplace: Detroit, Mich.

Organization and rank: US. Marine Corps, private first class

Conflict: Korean War

Date medal issued: Oct. 27, 1953

Background: When his unit was ambushed, Simanek threw himself on a missile, shielding his fellow marines, and was gravely wounded Aug. 17, 1952, in Korea.

Age: 68

Birthplace: Menasha, Wis.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, staff sergeant

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: Sept. 19, 1968

Background: Stumpf, a squad leader, ran through a barrage of fire to reach wounded comrades, and launched a counterassault under a barrage of enemy fire April 25, 1967, near Duc Pho, Vietnam.

Age: 75

Birthplace: Arcata, Calif.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, first lieutenant

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: Nov. 19, 1968

Background: Taylor rescued wounded crew members from three vehicles while under enemy fire and sustaining wounds himself during an attack Nov. 9, 1967, near Que Son, Vietnam.

Age: 68

Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, first lieutenant

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: Oct. 15, 1973

Background: Thacker, team leader, held back enemy forces, providing cover fire so his comrades could reposition March 31, 1971, in Kontum Province, Vietnam. He was wounded and unable to escape for eight days.

Age: 81

Birthplace: Walnut Grove, Minn.

Organization and rank: U.S. Air Force, major

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: Oct. 15, 1973

Background: Thorsness, a helicopter pilot over North Vietnam, destroyed missile sites and came to the aid of downed crew members, despite being dangerously low on fuel April 19, 1967.

Age: 73

Birthplace: Winslow, Ariz.

Organization and rank: U.S. Marine Corps, captain

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: May 14, 1970

Background: Vargas, despite multiple injuries, led three companies across 700 meters of open rice paddies, destroyed enemy bunkers and defended against counterattacks during April and May 1968 in Dai Do, Vietnam.

Age: 66

Birthplace: Milwaukee, Wis.

Organization and rank: U.S. Army, private first class

Conflict: Vietnam War

Date medal issued: Nov. 19, 1968

Background: Wetzel, a door runner on a helicopter trapped in a landing zone by enemy fire, came to the aid of his aircraft commander and fellow crew members despite critical injuries, including loss of his arm, Jan. 8, 1968, near Ap Dong An, Vietnam.

Age: 89

Birthplace: Quiet Dell, W.Va.

Organization and rank: U.S. Marine Corps, corporal

Conflict: World War II

Date medal issued: Oct. 5, 1945

Background: Williams, covered by only four riflemen, fought four hours to wipe out enemy positions in one of the most heavily defended Japanese strongpoints Feb. 23, 1945, in Iwo Jima.