On this day in 1992, the “Father of Naval Special Warfare” passes away. Phil Bucklew has been credited with laying the groundwork for many aspects of today’s naval special forces, including the Navy SEALs.   The former Cleveland Ram had been coaching a football game when Pearl Harbor was attacked. News of the Japanese assault was soon announced over the stadium’s loudspeakers. “We were down in the bar [after the game],” he later described, “and someone said, ‘Let’s all join t

On this day in 1953, a Navy medic is awarded the Medal of Honor. Francis “Doc” Hammond had worked “feverishly” to save lives in Korea, one eyewitness to his action said, noting that Hammond was “the bravest man I saw out there that night . . . his actions were an inspiration to all of us.”   Hospitalman 3rd Class Hammond had proven that he was made of stern stuff, right from the get-go.   “On his very first patrol, one of his comrades at the head of the group stepped on a min

On this day in 1920, a future Medal of Honor recipient is born.  Lewis “Red” Millett is best known for leading the last major bayonet charge in U.S. Army history. He would receive a Medal for his action.   Was it a surprising outcome for a man who had once deserted the Army?   Of course, the reason he deserted was because he wanted to fight. He’d fled across the border and joined the Canadian Army, returning to the fold only after the United States entered World War II.   He’

At about this time in 1951, a hero engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Pfc. Mack Jordan was just 22 years old when his “unflinching courage” stunned his fellow soldiers. He’d then been serving in Korea for just a few months. The Korean War has been called “the Forgotten War.” Many Americans are used to hearing about World War II and the Vietnam War, but they know very little about the conflict sandwiched in the middle. The heroes of that war thus rece

On this day in 1952, a Marine engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. George O’Brien was surely an unlikely hero. The Texas native had been a “self-described problem child,” a Department of Defense summary explains. As a young boy, he was apparently a bit of a handful in class, which left him constantly changing schools.   In the end, he worked as a Merchant Marine during World War II. Perhaps that experience settled him down? After the war, he went to Te

On this day in 1953, a hero is awarded the Medal of Honor. David B. Champagne was a United States Marine and the only Rhode Island native...

On this day in 1968, Staff Sergeant Reckless passes away. This particular United States Marine was a horse. Yes, you read that right. The...

On this day in 1931, a future Medal of Honor recipient is born. Rodolfo “Rudy” Hernandez was perhaps an unlikely hero? He was the son of...

On this day in 1922, a heroine is born. Jonita Ruth Bonham would go on to become a nurse—and to serve in both World War II and Korea. She...

On this day in 1920, an American hero is born. Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. is often remembered as the first black man to become a...

On this day in 1951, a hero engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Then-Sergeant First Class Stanley Adams was a...

On and around this day in 1953, a photo of a United States Marine is published in nearly two thousand newspapers, including the February...

On this day in 2022, a Medal of Honor recipient passes away. Corporal Hiroshi “Hershey” Miyamura was a second-generation Japanese...

On this day in 1950, a hero engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor.  Ralph Puckett, Jr. has been called “[o]ne of...

On this day in 1928, a future Medal of Honor recipient is born in Hawaii. Herbert K. Pililaau never lived to see his home become a state....

On this day in 1951, a hero engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Tony Burris had volunteered to serve in the U.S....

On this day in 2005, a hero receives the Medal of Honor. Tibor “Ted” Rubin had survived imprisonment, both during World War II and the...

On this day in 1952, a Marine engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Amazingly, Robert Simanek survived his...

On this day in 1950, an Air Force pilot engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Major Louis J. Sebille was the first...

On this day in 1951, a soldier engages in an action that would initially earn him the Distinguished Service Cross. Many decades later, a...