Oliver Hazard Perry, the great American naval officer and Rhode Islander, led the United States to victory on Lake Eerie in 1813 over the British, after building a fleet of eight ships. He motivated his men with a giant battle flag emblazoned with the dying words of his friend, James Lawrence: “Don’t Give Up The Ship!” Lawrence, commanding the USS … Read More

Rudolfo Hernandez, a paratrooper with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team during the summer 1951 United Nations counter-offensive, earned the Medal of Honor on this day for his aggressive defense of Hill 420 against Chinese communist troops.  After running our of grenades and rifle ammunition, Hernandez charged with the bayonet, killing six enemy before collapsing from his extensive wounds. His … Read More

Louis Rocco Medal of Honor, honor and remember! Rocco served two tours in Vietnam as a medic. On his second tour, he saved two helicopter pilots from a burning helicopter, despite having a broken wrist and hip from the crash. Rocco received the Medal in 1975 in a ceremony with President Gerald Ford, himself a World War II surface warfare … Read More

William Carney, a Sergeant in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, earned the Medal of Honor for actions this day at Fort Wagner, when he retrieved and protected the regiment’s colors after the color bearer was struck down. Carney was born a slave in Norfolk, VA, before escaping to join his father in Massachusetts. He joined the 54th in 1863, and fought … Read More