“If a victory is to be gained, I will gain it.” said Oliver Hazard Perry at the beginning of this day 211 years ago. His American Navy delivered this victory over the British during the War of 1812 on Lake Eerie. Perry, a proud Rhode Islander, came from a naval family and was the older brother of Matthew Perry, whose … Read More

Joshua Chamberlain, the Union officer who saved the Union army at Little Round Top at Gettysburg, was born this day.

Today I am thinking about Ernest Prussman, who earned the Medal of Honor posthumously for his courage and leadership on this day in Brittany, France when he took part in the Battle of Brest, as part of the 13th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division. American forces were clearing the Brest peninsula, west of the Normandy beaches, in order to open … Read More

Army Sergeant Robert Maxwell threw himself on a German grenade, saving his buddies’ lives. He survived the blast and later received the Medal of Honor. 

Sergeant Donn Porter earned the Medal of Honor for his tenacious leadership in fighting off a two platoon attack on his small outpost. He killed fifteen enemy in the first attack, and six more in a follow on assault.

Gino Merli was a 20 year old Private First Class with the 1st Infantry Division when he earned the Medal of Honor for standing fast when his company was over run by Germans in Belgium.  An Italian-American and son of a coal miner from Pennsylvania, Merli landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day and later fought in the Battle of the … Read More

Corporal Benito Martinez earned the Medal of Honor posthumously in Korea when he single-handedly defended against a night long communist attack.

Vincent Capodanno, a Navy chaplain, showed incredible leadership & selflessness in tending to wounded Marines during an intense firefight with the Viet Cong. He was mortally wounded and later received the Medal of Honor.