Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was born on November 26, 1832, in Oswego New York. She enlisted as a contract surgeon for the Union Army in 1861. Despite the Army's initial refusal to accept female doctors, she served in various military hospitals and battlefields as a nurse and eventually gained recognition as a surgeon in 1863. Her commitment to saving lives, led her across enemy lines and in the midst of fire many times. She was briefly capture by Confederate troops and subsequent imprisonment. In 1865, President Andrew Johnson awarded Walker the Medal of Honor for her meritorious service, making her the first and only woman to receive this prestigious honor. Listen to her story, here...

Commander Eugene B. Fluckey was born on October 5, 1913, in Washington, D.C. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1935. Fluckey found 30 Japanese vessels hiding in a harbor and damaged six of them in early 1945. His submarine managed to evade Japanese patrol boats and escape. For his extraordinary actions, Commander Fluckey was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States, on January 16, 1945. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he received, Navy Cross (4 times), Silver Star, Legion of Merit (2 times), Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V", Navy Unit Commendation, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with seven stars, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal with two stars, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Independence Ribbon, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal and other recognitions for his bravery. Listen to his story, here...

Edward Rickenbacker, was born on October 8, 1890, in Columbus Ohio. He enlisted in the military on May 25, 1917, joining the Signal Enlisted Reserve Corps and being assigned to the Aviation Section. He became America's greatest flying ace of WW1, credited with 26 confirmed aerial victories. His remarkable achievements led to him receiving the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary bravery in attacking a formation of five German planes, downing two of them. He also received the Distinguished Service Cross multiple times for his courageous actions in combat. During World War II, Rickenbacker served as a non-military observer, and embarked on a mission in October 1942, to inspect bases in the Pacific and deliver a secret message from the president, to General Douglas MacArthur. Tragically, his plane suffered navigational instrument damage and ran out of fuel over the ocean, crashing in to the sea. Rickenbacker and his crew were lost at sea for nearly one month. After enduring immense hardships, Rickenbacker and the surviving crew members were finally rescued. After his rescue, Rickenbacker still completed his mission and delivered the secret message to General MacArthur. Listen to his story, here...

Sergeant William H. Carney was born a slave on February 29, 1840, in Norfolk, Virginia. He gained his freedom by escaping to the North in 1855 and settled in Massachusetts. During the American Civil War, on March 4, 1863, Carney joined the Union Army and became part of Company C in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the first African American regiments established. On July 18, 1863, just four months after enlisting, Carney found himself in the historic assault on Fort Wagner. Despite being shot multiple times and sustaining severe wounds, he displayed remarkable bravery by recovering the American flag after the color guard was killed. More than three decades later, on May 23, 1900, Carney received the Medal of Honor, becoming the first African American to be awarded this highest military decoration in the United States. He also received the Purple Heart and the Army's Kearny Cross bestowed by the governor of Massachusetts. These prestigious awards recognized Carney's exceptional bravery and sacrifice in the face of enemy fire during the Civil War. Listen to his story, here...

Thomas Ward Custer was born on March 15, 1845, in New Rumley Ohio. On September 2, 1861, sixteen-year-old Thomas Custer lied about his age and enlisted in the Union Army’s 21st Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the early campaigns of the Civil War. On April 3, 1865 at the Battle of Namozine Church in Virginia, Custer led the charge against an enemy barricade, which disrupted the Confederate position and contributed to a crucial Union victory.

Dakota Meyer, was born on June 26, 1988, in Columbia, Kentucky. In 2006, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. On September 8, 2009, he and his fellow Marines came under intense and sustained enemy fire from well-prepared insurgents. Despite facing overwhelming odds, Meyer repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to provide cover for his team and attempt to rescue his trapped comrades. In a selfless act of valor, he made multiple trips into the kill zone to recover wounded and fallen Marines and Afghan soldiers, saving their lives and demonstrating incredible bravery under fire. Meyer's remarkable service and valor were recognized with the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one bronze service star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the NATO International Security Assistance Force Medal. Listen to his story, here...

Marcus Luttrell was Born on November 7, 1975, in Houston Texas. He joined the military and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1999. During a critical mission in Afghanistan's rugged mountains in 2005, Luttrell faced an extraordinary test of courage. His team encountered a devastating enemy ambush, leaving him as the lone survivor. Despite severe injuries, he displayed unmatched bravery and resilience, enduring unimaginable hardships while evading capture and seeking rescue. In recognition of his exceptional dedication and bravery, Marcus Luttrell has been awarded the Navy Cross, Bronze Star with "Valor" device, Purple Heart, Navy Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak leaf clusters, Navy Achievement Medal with 4 5/16 inch stars, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon with 1 5/16 inch star, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Good Conduct Medal with 1 Service star, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Campaign star, Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 2 Service stars, NATO Medal for service with ISAF, Navy Rifle Marksmanship Medal with expert device, Navy Pistol Marksmanship Medal with expert device, and the Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia. Listen to his story, here..,

Chris Kyle was born on April 8, 1974, and raised in Odessa, Texas. In 1999, he joined the United States Navy and became a Navy SEAL, serving multiple tours of duty in Iraq during the Iraq War. During his military career, Kyle earned the nickname "Legend" for his extraordinary skills as a sniper. His confirmed kills numbered 160, making him the most lethal sniper in American military history. Kyle retired in 2009 and began to help veterans. On February 2, 2013, Chris Kyle was killed at the Rough Creek Lodge shooting range near Glen Rose, Texas, by a troubled Marine veteran he was trying to assist. Kyle's dedication and courage were recognized through numerous awards, including two Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars with Valor, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Valor, the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation with 2 service stars, Navy Good Conduct Medal with 2 service stars, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with 3 campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 3 service stars, Expert Rifle Marksmanship Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia. Listen to his story, here...

Adam Lee Brown was born on February 5, 1974, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He enlisted in the Navy in August 1998, and became a Navy SEAL. Throughout his military career, he faced physical setbacks, including losing his right eye in a training accident. Undeterred, he adapted to shooting with his left eye and even completed SEAL sniper school. In 2005, while deployed in Afghanistan, Brown suffered a severe hand injury in a convoy accident. Despite his injuries, he joined SEAL Team 6, with his unique distinction of being the first SEAL with one eye. On March 17, 2010, Brown and his team was tasked with a crucial mission to eliminate or apprehend a Taliban leader. Brown found himself and his team pinned down by intense enemy fire from a compound. In a selfless act to safeguard his comrades, he charged the enemy, drawing their attention and redirecting fire away from his fellow SEALs, ensuring the survival of his teammates. The SEAL team successfully captured the enemy compound, eliminating all hostile combatants. Adam Brown, made the ultimate sacrifice at the age of 36. His bravery and ultimate sacrifice earned him numerous honors, including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal with Combat 'V', Joint Service Commendation Medal, five Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, three Navy Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Navy Rifle Marksmanship Medal, Navy Pistol Marksmanship Medal, and others. Listen to his story, here..

Desmond T. Doss was born in Lynchburg Virginia on February 7, 1919. During World War II, he held steadfast to his religious beliefs but ultimately enlisted in the US Army as a "conscientious cooperator." Refusing to engage in combat or carry a weapon due to his religious convictions, Doss served as a medic in the Pacific theater of World War II. Despite the challenges and hostility he faced during basic training, his exceptional skills and dedication gained him the respect of his fellow soldiers. On the daunting Hacksaw Ridge, Doss defied orders and displayed extraordinary courage, saving the lives of numerous soldiers, while under relentless enemy fire. In 1945, President Harry S. Truman awarded him the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration, recognizing his extraordinary valor and selflessness. Doss's principled and compassionate approach to war left an indelible mark on those who served alongside him. Listen to his story, here...