These Stories of Valor are part of an ongoing oral history program of the Honor Project to ensure the experiences of our combat wounded and those who gave their all in the service of America are remembered for generations to come.
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.
Read MoreCarlton 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.
Read MoreAlbert Walsh was commissioned into the U.S. Army in May 2003 and served for nearly eight years, including three tours in Iraq between 2005 and 2010. During his first tour while based out of Camp Taji, near Baghdad, Walsh was on a patrol when the lead High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle “Humvee” was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED).
Read MoreLeonard Crosby was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1964, serving until 1970. During the Vietnam War, Crosby served two tours of duty, the first as a Platoon Leader with the 4th Infantry Division and the second as a Company Commander with the 101st Airborne Division. His service included action during Operation MacArthur, the Tet Offensive, Operation Nevada Eagle, and more.
Read MoreIn June 1970, then-First Lieutenant Buswell was leading a reconnaissance patrol when enemy forces initiated an ambush with a claymore and small arms fire. Buswell and another soldier were wounded.
Read MoreLawrence Rupp served two tours in Vietnam, first between 1968 and 1969 and then again between 1970 and 1971.
In January 1969 then First Lieutenant Rupp received shrapnel wounds during attacks just two days apart.
In May of the same year, Lieutenant Rupp suffered a gunshot wound while pursuing a Vietcong carrier.
Read MoreThere are seventy-nine living recipients of the Medal of Honor, bestowed by the President in the name of the Congress for acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty. Paul William Bucha is one of them. “Medals of Honor,” he explains, “are not given for running up and down hills and charging bunkers. Ninety-nine percent of the
Read MoreIt 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
Read MoreRoss 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
Read More
