Stories of Valor

In 1940, Luke had graduated from West Huntsville High School, and he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Oct. 5, 1940. Two months later, he joined the crew of the Battleship U.S.S. Arizona on December 4, 1941.  A Seaman First Class gunner’s mate serving on board the U.S.S. Arizona, Isom was killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the event that triggered the U.S. entry into the war. 

A member of the prominent Dockweiler family of Los Angeles, he attended Loyola High School before attending the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating 10th in his class in 1924. He later received a master of science degree in naval construction from MIT.

Michael Pirga enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1922 where he proudly served until 1957. On December 7, 1941 when Pearl Harbor came under attack, then Sergeant Pirga was in his barracks. He was buried under the collapsed building and had to be dug out by his comrades.

Robert Senter was drafted in to the Army in February 1943, serving until May 1945 with the 83rd Division.

Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, was wounded in action twin during fighting in 1943. After first being wounded in July and he was wounded again in October, which still serving with the 180th Infantry Regiment.

U.S. Army PFC. Richard Poles served in Company F, 407th Infantry Regiment, 102nd Infantry Division "OZARKS" - He was wounded on April 11, 1945.

McHenry’s family would later learn that he had kept a burning aircraft aloft long enough to allow his crew to bail out to eventually be rescued. He and his cockpit crew crashed in enemy territory. It took another three years before their remains could were recovered.

A member of the 7th Armored Division, Company C, 31st Tank Battalion, Davis’ service included fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. On October 28, 1944, during fighting in Holland, Davis’ tank was shelled and caught fire. The attack resulted in him, suffering burns and the loss of a kidney. After the being wounded, Davis was taken to a hospital in Paris for treatment.

In 1944, on his tenth mission, while flying a bombing run over Germany his plane came in the under attack from the Lufwaffe. While firing at the enemy. CMSgt. Oliver was struck by enemy fire. Despite being wounded, CMSgt Oliver continued to return fire. During the firefight, the crew’s pilot was killed and the co pilot was wounded.

On September 11, 1944, Private First Class Bailey, a member of the Medical Detachment, 362nd Infantry Regiment, was wounded at North Apennines, near Florence, Italy. Along with his Purple Heart, PFC Bailey was awarded several medals including the European-African Middle Eastern Theater and two Bronze Stars.

In February 1944, while fighting in the Battle of Anzio, which lasted from January 22, 1944 to June 5, 1944, Pfc Biles.

A member of Company B of the 294th Combat Enginners, Tech Sgt Dominick DeTommaso saw combat in the European Theatre from 1943 through 1946, including at Utah Beach on D-Day, the Battle of St. Lo, the Battle of the Bulge during the Ardennes Counteroffensive, among other operations.

James Adams was born and raised in New Jersey. Shortly after completing his sophomore year of high school, he decided to enlist in the Marine Corps, and served with them for several years in the turbulent 1920s and 1930s. (1) Upon retiring, he married, found a non-service occupation as a signal plant mechanic in New Jersey, and spent several peaceful years as a civilian before the second war came.

Warren Craig received his Purple Heart for injuries he suffered near Guadalcanal in late 1942. The United States had been in World War II for less than one year. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor had destroyed most of the United States Navy’s Pacific Fleet. Most of our battleships and destroyers were in the Atlantic supporting

Newburgh, New York. Located on the Hudson River’s west bank, its grounds are filled with history dating back to the American Revolution and beyond. This is the location where General George Washington, upon defeating Cornwallis’ elite British Army at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781, chose to make his headquarters, in the bluffs

In 1940, the war on the European continent had been raging on for a full year, with Hitler’s armies sweeping across the continent. In that same year, Japan had signed a treaty with Germany and Italy. In search of resources, Japan invaded the French colony of Indo-China in 1941. The United States promptly placed an embargo on Japanese

SGM Truitt Breazeale served in the U.S. Army for 54 years - 32 years of active duty and 22 years teaching high-school Army JROTC. His service included tours at Forts Benning, Jackson, Riley, Bragg and Greely. He had three tours in Korea, two tours in Vietnam and a short time in Germany.

A twenty-year veteran of the U.S. Army, former CSM Edward Evans enlisted in September 1948. His career took him across the country and around the world.

Thomas Tanaka was drafted into the U.S. Army in November 1950 and was assigned to the 24th Division, 19th Regiment.

One of the most dangerous jobs on the front lines. Only lightly armed if at all, these heroes dash out under enemy fire into open combat, risking their lives to save the lives of their wounded brethren. With bullets flying through the air, and mortar rounds and grenades exploding all around them, the medic puts his life on the line for

Evarist André LeMay was born in Port Washington, Long Island, New York in 1934. He and his younger sister were part of a working class family. LeMay’s father was a tool and die maker, and his mother was a homemaker. He was greatly influenced by his grandmother, who was a patriotic Scotswoman. She would often tell her

In 1940, the war on the European continent had been raging on for a full year, with Hitler’s armies sweeping across the continent. In that same year, Japan had signed a treaty with Germany and Italy. In search of resources, Japan invaded the French colony of Indo-China in 1941. The United States promptly placed an embargo on Japanese

A veteran of the Korean War, Frank Volock was born on December 3, 1928. At least, he says laughing, “that’s what they told me.” Home for Frank was his family’s farm in the famous Black Dirt lands of Orange County, New York, reclaimed from swamps just before and after the Revolutionary War, and famous for its sweet onions. His

Vincent Palmieri Jr. entered the Marine Corps on January 7, 1966, and served with the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, known as “The Walking Dead,” in Vietnam, including during Operation Buffalo.

Along with his three Purple Hearts, Major Capers was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the Congressional Medal of Honor, two Bronze Stars and Combat V, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, three Good Conduct Ribbons, Battle Stars, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, CG Certificate of Merit, multiple letters of Merit, Appreciation, and Commendation.

On February 4, 1968, Staff Sergeant Patton was killed by small arms fire along with 21 other soldiers during this encounter with enemy forces in Thon Lieu Coc Thuong, a hamlet he troops were advancing through towards the city of Hue.

Pfc. James Anderson Jr., a 20-year-old Marine from Compton, California, became the first Black Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War.

In 1966, Hackford flew as an F-105 pilot with the 469th TFS at Korat AB in Thailand where he flew 112 missions over North Vietnam; 36 as a Wild Weasel pilot. He returned to the U.S. as an instructor pilot, but was soon retired from flying due to injuries sustained in his shoot down over Laos in 1966.

I was on my first tour in Vietnam as a “Phantom” F-4 backseat pilot, assigned to the 558 Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS), 12th  Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW), Cam Rahn Bay AB, Republic of Viet Nam (RVN).  I was scheduled to be on 15-minute day alert on 3 Sep 1968. 

Daniel Carmona was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967, and served until 1969 with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. On November 1, 1968, SP4 Carmona's company was on an early morning mission. Carmona's platoon was moving along a trail, with Carmona third in line, when they encountered a booby trap.

Walter Kaczmarek enlisted in U.S. Marine Corps in June 1967 and served for nearly two years as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, including a tour in Vietnam where he was awarded two Purple Hearts.

James Reeff enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps in May 1964, serving for the next four years, including a tour in Vietnam. In August 1965, Reeff was wounded in action while serving as part of Operation Starlite.

Originally from New York, John Grand enlisted into the U.S. Army in December 1955 and served for the next seven years before being commissioned in June 1962 and continuing to serve another 14 years. Grand did two tours in Vietnam with A and C companies, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division operating in the Delta and Plain of Reeds areas of operations.

Steven "Gus" Gustuson enlisted in the Navy in August 1965 and served for the next four years including deployments during Operations Sea Lords and Giant Slingshot.

Ken Teunissen was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1969 and later enlisting and serving for nearly a decade, including time in Vietnam and Berlin, Germany. In February 1970, Teunissen was providing cover fire when he suffered a shrapnel wound to his leg.

John "Todd" Swanson enlisted into the U.S. Army in October 1967, serving for the next two years, including a tour in Vietnam.

Patrick Burgess enlisted into the U.S. Army in June 1967, right after high school. Because he was only 17 years old, his father had to sign for him.

Glenn Boche was drafted into the U.S. Army in April 1969 and served with the 22nd Infantry Regiment, the 25th Infantry Division, while in Vietnam.

Walter Schley enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1966 and served for more than 30 years.

Ernest Boisvert was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving as a member of the 4th Infantry Division, including a tour in Vietnam.

James Bouchard enlisted in the Navy in February 1967 and served for the next three years as a member of the 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Marine Division, including a tour in Vietnam.

Carlton Cannon enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps in April 1967 and was later commissioned as an officer, completing a career that spanned more than 24 years. Cannon, then a Lance Corporal, was first wounded during the Battle of Khe Sanh in April 1968, while serving with the 26th Marine Regiment. He was wounded a second time in September 1968 and a third time in December 1968.

Louis Zayas was drafted into the U.S. Army in October 1965 and for the next two years. While serving as a helicopter door gunner escorting other troops into a hot Landing Zone in Vietnam, Zayas’ unit came under heavy fire. During the firefight he was struck in the thigh from an explosion.

Originally from Los Angeles, California, George Stavropoulos enlisted in the U.S. Navy, entering the service in July 1965. He was deployed to Vietnam where he was awarded four Purple Heats as a result of wounds he suffered.

James Ives was drafted into the Army in November 1967 and served for the next two years as a member of the173rd Airborne Brigade, including a tour in Vietnam.

Ron Laney enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps in January 1964, serving for over six years, including a tour in Vietnam. In August 1969, while serving near An Hoa, Vietnam, Laney was wounded during a combat operation.

Ted Craiglow was drafted into the Marine Corps in September 1969, serving for nearly two years including a deployment to Vietnam.

Dale Thomsen enlisted into the U.S. Army in November 1966, serving for the next three years as a member of the 610th Transportation Company, including a tour in Vietnam.

Edward Cruickshank was commissioned into the U.S. Army in June 1967 and went on to a 30 year career in the service. In 1967, while serving with the 101st Aviation Group in Vietnam, he was wounded-in-action.

Staff Sergeant Flavio A. Martinez sustained injuries while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force near Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan on 21 December 2015.

The year 2006 was a horrific time for those living in Iraq. The war had been raging for three years. The American soldiers stationed in Iraq were there for a noble cause, to ensure and protect the freedoms and ideals of Iraqi citizens. As the new year dawned in January of 2006, more than 2,000 American soldiers had lost their lives

It was an old, dusty antique store, located at the intersection between the Valley of Ashes and the Garden of Eden. Despite its outward appearance, this forlorn shop held a magnificent valuable. This treasure took the shape of a tarnished and forgotten, yet unadulterated medal, and would lead to the discovery of Captain Zachariah Fike’s true

“Soldiers who have not been to war want to go to war. Soldiers who have been to war, don’t want to. They go because it is their duty,” expresses Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Gade, a two-time Purple Heart recipient, and instructor at West Point. “There is little glory in war, and whatever glory there is, is far outweighed by the horror of

Richard R Gerbeth, Jr. was born November 18, 1972 in the Bronx. He grew up in Lake Carmel in Putnam County, New York. Both of Richard’s parents were teachers, and his father was a Navy Vietnam War era veteran. He had a happy childhood, participating in karate and sports such as baseball and soccer. He wanted to play football in

The Fox News Clip is one of her cherished souvenirs. Corporal Megan Leavey is shown after landing at JFK with her German shepherd Rex, after being reunited thanks to the efforts of Randy Levine, president of the New York Yankees, his wife Mindy Levine, and New York Senator Charles Schumer.

Amanda Martino was born on June 7, 1984 in Lindenhurst, on Long Island. She was born into an Italian family, “very loud and very loving.” Her dad had dropped out of high school to enlist in the military, and served in Vietnam before becoming the head of maintenance for a large company. As the youngest of three siblings,

Ross Pixler was 18 years old when he saved his friend’s life. The two were mountain climbing up Pico de Orizaba, a dormant volcano covered with glaciers, at 18,490 feet the third tallest mountain in North America. Far off the beaten path, they lost their way and spent three days and two nights in a remote area, when Ross’ friend, a