Tarawa, on this day, 81 years ago. Honor and remember!

Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address today, in 1863, some four and a half months after the battle. I think it’s worth reading and considering each section of this speech, which is about a Republic in motion, always requiring each new generation to honor and remember those who sacrificed all for the Republic, and, in turn, to devote themselves to securing … Read More

Sergeant William Bordelon earned the Medal of Honor posthumously on Tarawa, when he charged four Japanese pill boxes with demolitions despite being hit by machine gun fire. He also pulled to safety two wounded Marine trapped in the surf before he was by the Japanese. He was the first Marine from Texas to earn the Medal of Honor in World … Read More

You have to stop and think about the Americans fighting in the Hurtgen Forest today, one of the most miserable and horrific combat experiences of World War II. I am remembering Bernard Ray, a 23 year old lieutenant with the 4th Infantry Division who earned the Medal of Honor posthumously when he sacrificed himself to destroy a wire obstacle belt … Read More

I am thinking today about Freeman Horner, who earned the Medal of Honor in Germany in 1944. Horner was a private in Second Platoon, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division. I dug into the combat history of Horner’s regiment and what these men experienced from June 13, 1944, when they landed in France, through the German … Read More

the Korean War. His physical courage and drive and what he did in combat are unbelievable. What’s also crazy, though, is how when you scratch the surface on a story like this, the other soldiers and leaders who were with Jordan on that day were GIANTS as well.  There are not many easy to find photos of Johnson, who was … Read More

Admiral Daniel Callaghan earned the Medal of Honor posthumously for leading the American naval force to victory at theBattle of San island, off Guadalcanal. He was killed when an enemy shell hit the bridge of his flagship, the USS San Francisco. Honor and remember him!

Bruce McCandless earned the Medal of Honor during the Battle of Savo island off of Guadalcanal when he recovered from unconsciousness after a shell hit the bridge of the USS San Francisco, killing all of the more senior commanders, took command himself, got the ship back in the fight and led the fleet’s attack against the Japanese Navy, ensuring American … Read More

Ralph Elias earned the Medal of Honor posthumously in Vietnam, when he rushed a North Vietnamese bunker that had pinned down his fellow Marines. Despite being shot four times in his rush on the bunker, he succeeded in tossing grenades into the bunker and saving the lives of his fellow Marines. Honor and remember him!