The late Johnny Wactor, best known for his role as Brando Corbin on “General Hospital,” was posthumously honored by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society earlier this week with the 2026 Single Act of Heroism Award, which recognizes Americans who have accomplished extraordinary feats of heroism by risking their lives for the benefit of others in a dire situation.
The event, which took place on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 (National Medal of Honor Day), comes nearly two years after Wactor was gunned down following an attempt to protect his female coworker after armed assailants could be seen trying to steal a catalytic converter from his vehicle during the early morning hours of May 25, 2024, in downtown Los Angeles. Wactor was just 37 years old at the time.
Four individuals were arrested in connection with the robbery and murder of Wactor, including Leonel Gutierrez and Frank Olano, both of whom pled guilty to robbery charges, with the former getting four years in prison while the latter got five years, eight months. Charged with the murder of Wactor were Robert Barceleau and Sergio Estrada, both of whom have pleaded not guilty, and will not face the death penalty per the Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. Their trial dates are set for early 2026.
“Johnny instinctively placed himself between danger and another person, shielding her with his own body,” noted the organization in its biography of Wactor. “His courageous act saved her life and reflects his lifelong commitment to protecting others, even at the cost of his own.”
“His final act was one of extraordinary courage,” noted the awards program, highlighting the Summerville, South Carolina native, born John “Johnny” Wactor III. “In laying down his life to protect another, Johnny embodied the highest ideals of sacrifice and selflessness. His actions that day reflect great credit upon himself, his family, and his home state of South Carolina.
According to TMZ, which obtained video from the event, retired United States Army Command Sergeant Major Gary Littrell presented the award to Wactor’s mother, Scarlett, who accepted on Johnny’s behalf. Additionally, the outlet noted that Johnny’s mother and his younger brother, Grant, attended the ceremony in Virginia with the Medal of Honor Society covering the cost of their hotel, food, and drivers.
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is an organization that recognizes extraordinary Americans whose actions embody the values of courage, sacrifice, and service that define the nation’s highest military award for valor in combat.