Author : Sherman L. Fleek
Publisher :
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 40,77 MB
Release : 2013-08
Category :
ISBN : 9781589585287
Since 1861 when the US Congress approved the concept of a Medal of Honor for combat valor, 3,457 individuals have received this highest military decoration that the nation can bestow. Nine of those have been Latter-day Saints. The military and personal stories of these LDS recipients are compelling, inspiring, and tragic. The men who appear in this book are tied by two common threads: the Medal of Honor and their Mormon heritage. The purpose of this book is to highlight the valor of a special class of LDS servicemen who served and sacrificed "above and beyond the call of duty." Four of these nine Mormons gave their "last full measure" for their country, never seeing the high award they richly deserved. All four branches of the service are represented: five were Army (one was a pilot with the Army Air Forces during WWII), two Navy, and one each of the Marine Corps and Air Force. Four were military professionals who made the service their careers; five were not career-minded; three died at an early age and never married. This book captures these harrowing historical narratives from personal accounts. Praise for Saints of Valor: "In this book about LDS recipients of our nation's greatest honor-the Medal of Honor-Sherman Fleek has captured both the essence of their heroic deeds and the spirit that motivated them. I love the precision of his storytelling, the meticulous attention to detail, and the unblinking commitment to tell the story as it really happened. It is the work of both a great historian and a great writer."-Jerry Borrowman, best-selling author of military biography and fiction "Sherman Fleek brings to life the Saints who demonstrated absolutely extraordinary heroism, conspicuous gallantry and valor in action-true American heroes who were willing to do what was necessary, even if it meant laying down their lives for their friends."-Lieutenant Colonel Marc "Dewey" Boberg, U. S. Army; Professor and Chair, Department of Military Science, Brigham Young University