Heroes: U.S. Army Medal of Honor Recipients

In 2002 noted aviation author Barrett Tillman wrote ABOVE AND BEYOND: THE AVIATION MEDALS OF HONOR which related the heroic deeds of U.S. Air Force MoH recipients. HEROES, published in 2006, pays tribute to U.S. Army soldiers who were likewise awarded the Medal of Honor. As with the previous book, HEROES is a fascinating, well-written and inspiring memorial to some incredibly brave warriors. The Medal of Honor story is fascinating not only for heroic deeds but also the somewhat tortured development of the Medal itself. The Medal of Honor dates from Civil War times. In separate chapters Tillman relates representative MoH actions from the Civil War, the Indian campaigns, the Spanish-American War and other 'wars of expansion,' World War I, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and recent conflicts in Somalia and Afghanistan. Over 2,300 men received the MoH; Tillman chronicles 100 of that total. He deliberately focuses on lesser-known recipients while briefly touching on Alvin York, Audie Murphy, etc. Yet the backstory of the Medal is just as fascinating. Over the years the criteria for being awarded the Medal has evolved. Some early awards, such as those given to an entire Union Army regiment for extending their enlistment, were patently undeserved. Others, such as that given to Douglas MacArthur, were political in nature. Still others, such as those awarded to Teddy Roosevelt in 1898 and, 45 years later, to his son for his actions on D-Day, are questionable. Their actions objectively don't fulfill the 'Above and Beyond' criteria of the Medal. Rather both men's actions reflect Commanding Officers doing what they are paid to do. Tillman does a marvelous job of weaving the combat narratives and beyond-the-scenes machinations into a smooth-flowing narrative. Reading HEROES leaves one with feelings of amazement, sometimes sadness and pride. HEROES is a must-read for all Americans. ***** N.B. Hopefully volumes on U.S. Navy and Marine Corps recipients are in the works.

Barrett Tillmans review of 600 some Medal of Honor recipients brings the reality of war home to even the most jaded reader. This is war. Not like you have seen on television, or any movie (not even Platoon). To read page after page of one paragraph descriptions of mortal combat is a very chilling experience. Mens lives reduced to a few words by the sheer number of MOH recipients. A common theme is revealed. Men fight for their fellow men. And they surrender their lives for them. The author documents that depending on war and theater, between 1/2 and 2/3 of recipeints who recieved the MOH did so postumously. In Tillman's book, the MOH recipients are divided by theater of operation and war. Yet they are remarkably similar men. The hand grenade plays an important part in this story. Many men were so close to the enemy that they exchanged not gun shots but grenades. A chilling book that will bring the reality of close quarters combat into your living room.

Heroes: U.S. Army Medal Of Honor Recipients provides a fine collection of battle stories behind the 100 Army Corps Medal Of Honor winners, pairing these stories with over a hundred photos and providing a military history which will please a wide audience. The Medal of Honor is awarded for outstanding courage and sacrifice in combat, and is the greatest honor awarded to a soldier: their stories are vividly brought to life here. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch