Did you know.. (Memorial Day)
This Memorial Day, we remember more than names etched in stone. We remember stories of courage, sacrifice, and ordinary Americans who made extraordinary choices when others depended on them. Some are household names. Many are not. Their stories deserve to be told.
First Lieutenant William D. Hawkins, United States Marine Corps
In November 1943, during the Battle of Tarawa, one of the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history, First Lieutenant William D. Hawkins found himself leading Marines against heavily fortified Japanese defenses. Machine-gun fire swept the beaches and every advance came at a terrible cost.
Hawkins repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire while leading attacks against bunkers that were stopping the Marine advance. Time and again, he personally assaulted enemy positions, destroying strongpoints and inspiring the Marines around him to keep moving forward despite overwhelming resistance.
After helping secure critical ground and clearing multiple enemy defenses, Hawkins was killed while leading yet another assault.
For his actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Tarawa lasted only 76 hours, but it changed the course of the Pacific War. The courage of Marines like Hawkins helped make victory possible and undoubtedly saved countless lives.
Staff Sergeant Jared C. Monti, United States Army
On June 21, 2006, Staff Sergeant Jared Monti was leading his platoon through the rugged mountains of Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, when they came under intense enemy fire.
During the ambush, one of his soldiers was critically wounded and stranded in the open between American and enemy positions. Without hesitation, Monti moved to rescue him.
Twice he fought through machine-gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire, only to be forced back by the intensity of the attack. Most people would have understood if he stopped trying.
He didn’t.
Determined not to leave a fellow soldier behind, Monti made a third attempt. As he moved forward toward the wounded soldier, he was struck by enemy fire and killed.
His courage inspired his fellow soldiers to continue the rescue effort, and the wounded soldier was eventually recovered.
Monti was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2009.
His final words over the radio were simple:
“I’ll get him.”
Three words that perfectly capture the responsibility leaders feel toward those entrusted to their care.
Petty Officer Second Class Michael A. Monsoor, United States Navy
On September 29, 2006, Petty Officer Second Class Michael Monsoor was serving as a Navy SEAL sniper in Ramadi, Iraq, one of the most dangerous cities in the world at the time.
Stationed on a rooftop with fellow SEALs and Iraqi soldiers, Monsoor was providing security when an insurgent grenade landed among the group.
He had only seconds to react.
Instead of attempting to save himself, Monsoor immediately threw himself onto the grenade, shielding those around him from the blast. His actions saved the lives of two fellow SEALs standing beside him.
Monsoor died from his wounds shortly afterward. He was only 25 years old.
For his extraordinary heroism and selfless sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2008.
His actions were not made for recognition or reward. In a single moment, he chose the lives of his teammates over his own, a decision that reflects the very highest ideals of military service.
The Fallen Crew of Operation Epic Fury, United States Air Force
When people think about combat operations, they often picture fighter pilots, special operators, or troops on the ground. Yet every mission depends on countless Airmen working behind the scenes to make success possible.
On March 12, 2026, a KC-135 Stratotanker supporting Operation Epic Fury was lost over western Iraq. The aircraft was conducting a mission vital to sustaining combat operations and supporting forces throughout the region.
All six Airmen aboard were killed.
Those Airmen were:
Major John A. Klinner
Captain Ariana G. Savino
Technical Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt
Captain Seth R. Koval
Captain Curtis J. Angst
Technical Sergeant Tyler H. Simmons
Their mission was one many people never see. Aerial refueling extends the reach of fighters, bombers, rescue aircraft, and countless other missions. Without tanker crews, many operations simply cannot happen.
These six Airmen answered the call to serve and never returned home.
Private First Class Vito R. Bertoldo, United States Army
Vito Bertoldo was never supposed to be a combat hero.
Before World War II, he was rejected for frontline service because of poor eyesight. Army officials believed he was unfit for combat. Bertoldo disagreed.
Determined to serve, he eventually deployed overseas with the 42nd Infantry Division.
In January 1945, during Operation Nordwind—the last major German offensive on the Western Front—German infantry and tanks broke through American lines near Hatten, France. As positions were being overrun and command posts evacuated, Bertoldo volunteered to stay behind and cover the withdrawal of fellow soldiers.
For nearly 48 hours, he fought against overwhelming odds.
At one point, he left the protection of a building and set up his machine gun in the middle of the street, fully exposed to enemy tanks, machine guns, and rifle fire. Despite repeated attacks, he continued firing, stopping German advances and buying precious time for American forces to regroup.
When one position became untenable, he moved to another and continued the fight.
His determination helped prevent the collapse of the battalion’s defenses and saved countless lives.
For his extraordinary heroism, Bertoldo received the Medal of Honor from President Harry Truman in December 1945.
His story is a reminder that courage is not determined by physical perfection. Sometimes it comes from an ordinary person refusing to quit when everyone else would understand if they did.
Their backgrounds were different. Their branches were different. Their wars were different.
Yet they shared a common bond: when their nation, their mission, or their fellow service members needed them most, they answered the call without hesitation.
This Memorial Day, may we remember not only how they died, but how they lived—and the sacrifices they made so others could come home. 🇺🇸
