Written by a military historian with combat experience and access to records from all branches of the American military, this single-volume resource features nearly 400 entries profiling the brave men and women who fought and, in most cases, died to preserve our freedom. Many of the people selected for inclusion in this volume received one or more citations for their heroic achievements: the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star or the Bronze Star. These entries include the individual's name, rank, branch of service and the circumstances resulting in their citations. All branches of the military - the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force - are represented, as are all ranks of service, from buck privates to four-star generals. This reference is also culturally inclusive, making special note of the heroic contributions of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and Asian Americans.