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Eugene Sledge was a native of Mobile, Alabama.  He enlisted in the Marine Corps at the height of WWII, knowing full well that he would see battle.  

After witnessing the horrors and chaos of two of the most intense battles in the Pacific front, the Sledgehammer turned in his rifle for civilian life.  

Like most combat veterans, he struggled to adapt to the quiet life away from the harshness of war.  Experiencing flashbacks and vivid nightmares of watching his friends die beside him almost drove him mad.  He then found comfort in something that he would invest the rest of his life in.

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This episode is the first in a series called Special Operations Forces Throughout the World.  Created in the 1950s, this elite special operations unit is the oldest surviving in the Israeli Defense Forces.  

Sayeret Matkal operators have participated in some of the most intense and bloody battles since the modern country of Israel was established.  Due to their extreme secrecy, many of their operations will never be known.  They stand as a testament to the audacity and courage of the only democratic nation in the middle east, the State of Israel.

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Born on a cotton farm in Mississippi, Tom Crump joined the Marine Corps in 1940.  He witnessed first-hand the horrors of the Pearl Harbor bombing and went on to participate in many other battles on the Pacific front.  

While assigned to various bases, Crump visited the world and stood on post, protecting several Navy admirals.  After helping create the first JROTC program, Crump retired in 1970, receiving the coveted 30 year Marine Corps pin.  

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Destined to be a pastor, this Los Angeles native put college on hold to instead join the Marines.  Because the US was in the middle of the Vietnam War, it as almost certain that James would be sent overseas.  

Only a few months after basic training, Anderson and his platoon were sent to recover a recon patrol who was under intense enemy fire.  After a single act of bravery, Anderson went down in history as the first African American Marine to receive the military's highest honor.

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Bleckley's Kansas National Guard unit was called up to join US troops in France during WWI.  Attached to a field artillery unit, it was Bleckley's dream to eventually become a pilot.  

Aviation was not even a decade old and was considered very dangerous during this time.  After completing flight training, Bleckley went on several missions as an observer with a pilot to find a US Army battalion that was pinned down by German forces.  Bleckley's bi-plan was witnessed by the lost battalion as it was peppered by German machine guns and eventually went down.  Both Bleckley and the pilot lost their lives and were later awarded the Medal of Honor.

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Smith was already a seasoned US Army soldier, having served twice overseas, when he was again called up during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  After a short battle, he took charge and secured his troops and several prisoners inside a courtyard.  While the enemy moved in to eliminate his comrades, Paul Smith took matters into his own hands and saved numerous lives while losing his own.  His story would go down as one of the greatest acts of heroism during the first part of the invasion of Iraq.  

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After receiving faulty intel, US Marines, US Army and Afgan Army forces advanced on the Ganjgal Village in Kunar Provence, Afghanistan.  They were suddenly attacked from 3 sides by a heavily armed and prepared enemy.  As a result of the battle, 5 US troops gave the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives, along with several Afghan soldiers.  In the din of battle, heroes emerged, disregarded their own safety and saved the lives of many others.  This episode is the story of those men who lost their lives and the heroes whose names will be remembered.

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Dave Baldwin bravely served the communities of Jefferson County in Colorado for 27 years in many different capacities.  His love for country, family and his community will always be remembered.  

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Raised in North Dakota, Bryon joined the Marines out of high school.  His service could have ended there, however, after graduating from Penn State, he joined the Pennsylvania State Police.  Earning numerous certifications in DUI and drug recognition programs, Dickson quickly advanced up to the rank of patrol supervisor.  On a fateful night in 2014, Bryon Dickson was purposefully gunned down in front of the State Police station where he served.  His name will always be remembered for his service to his nation and community.

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It is a little known fact that the US Coast Guard played a pivotal role in delivering Marines during the Pacific theater in WWII.  As a Higgins boat operator, it was Munro's responsibility to safely deliver Marines to beaches, retrieve battlefield casualties and transport supplies.  The Higgins boat was the WWII equivalent to the Vietnam War UH-1 Huey helicopter.  Higgins operators were constantly targeted by machine gun and mortar fire.  However, they continued to deliver their payloads as directed.  Douglas Munro's name is remembered as a result of his heroic actions during the Battle of Guadalcanal, where he was the only Coast Guardsman in history to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

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