Mary Ludwig Hayes, known as Molly Pitcher, who fought in her husband’s place after he was shot down at the Battle of Monmouth in 1778, swabbing and loading Continental Army cannons during the American victory, was born on this day.

Samuel Woodfill, an Army legend, received the Medal of Honor for his heroic leadership in France in World War I, when he led his company in over running several German machine gun emplacements, killing the enemy with rifle, pistol and pick ax.

America’s top ace of World War II, Richard Bong, earned the Medal of Honor on this day. Bong shot down 40 Japanese planes during the War while flying a P-38 Lightning fighter. Sadly, he was killed while testing a jet fighter in the closing days of the War. Honor and remember him!

Victor Kandle, from Redwood City, California, earned the Medal of Honor in France when he led his platoon in reducing a German strongpoint, and then, on his own, attacked and destroyed a second German defense. He was killed in action two months later and he posthumously received the Medal of Honor.

Joe Foss received the Medal of Honor for his leadership over Guadalcanal in World War II, where he shot down 23 Japanese planes. He later shot down another three enemy planes and became the leading Marine Corps ace of the War.  

Alvin Cullum York, a conscientious objector who became arguably America’s most famous World War I soldier, earned the Medal of Honor for leading an attack that killed 25 Germans and captured 132 of the enemy.

Robert Gould Shaw born on this day into a prominent abolitionist family in Dartmouth, MA. Shaw volunteered for the Union Army, fought in many battles, including Antietam and was wounded twice. He was selected by the to command the 54th Massachusetts, the first regiment of African American soldiers and was killed leading his troops in 1863 outside Charleston, South Carolina. 

James Harris, a Second Lieutenant who had earned a battlefield commission, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his leadership in France, when he stayed in the fight against German infiltrators despite being mortally wounded. Honor and remember him!

Archie Peck earned the Medal of Honor for saving two wounded soldiers pinned down by German fire during the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Peck was part of the Lost Battalion. He survived the War and returned to his home in New York. 

Robert Goddard the father of rocketry and American space exploration, was born this day.