The Congressional Medal of Honor Society posthumously honors Johnny Wactor of Summerville, South Carolina, with the 2026 “Single Act of Heroism Citizen Honors Award.” #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos has the recap.
The award was accepted by his mother, Scarlett Wactor. It was presented on March 25, 2026, which coincided with National Medal of Honor Day, during the 2026 Citizen Honors Awards ceremony at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.
Johnny Wactor hailed from Summerville, South Carolina. He was known for his acting work in the ABC soap opera “General Hospital,” where he played the role of Brando Corbin.
Wactor was recognized for the following: “In the early morning hours of May 25, 2024, in downtown Los Angeles, Johnny Wactor made the ultimate sacrifice to protect his coworker from armed thieves. When confronted with a violent threat, Johnny instinctively placed himself between danger and another person, shielding her with his own body. His courageous act saved her life and reflects his lifelong commitment to protecting others, even at the cost of his own.”
This line from the video tribute described Wactor the best: “Johnny was a hero to all of us who knew him. Now, he’s a hero for the ages.”
The Citizen Honors Awards are a cornerstone of the Society’s mission to inspire future generations and demonstrate that the values represented by the Medal of Honor are relevant to all Americans.
This year’s honorees are recognized for extraordinary acts of courage and service – from protecting classmates during a violent incident at a school and rescuing strangers from dangerous waters to shielding others from armed attackers and dedicating decades to feeding families and supporting veterans and underserved youth.
A distinguished panel assembled by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society carefully reviewed nominations from across the nation. A second panel—composed exclusively of Medal of Honor Recipients—then selected five individuals and one organization whose actions exemplify the Medal’s ideals.
