How the Medal of Honor was born in war

In its reflected glow, all men are kings.

The host delivers a philosophical monologue about human fragility and how the royal virtue of courage elevates all mankind.

Why Courage Makes All Men Kings

Medals were seen as the trappings of European royalty.

The narrator explains that America originally refused to create combat medals because they were viewed as European monarchical trappings.

Why Early America Refused Military Medals

Born during America's deadliest conflict.

Amid the fury of the Civil War, the nation forged the Medal of Honor as its first and ultimate tribute to battlefield valor.

How the Medal of Honor Was Born in Civil War

The first Medals of Honor won on foreign soil.

American soldiers push up San Juan Hill under heavy enemy fire, securing a legendary victory and earning the first Medals of Honor awarded on foreign soil.

The Charge Up San Juan Hill

Three words that earned a bugler the Medal of Honor.

During the Boxer Rebellion in Peking, an infantry bugler volunteered to climb a thirty-foot wall under enemy fire with the famous words, 'I'll try, sir.'

The Bugler Who Scaled the Peking Wall

Manning a machine gun through relentless nighttime attacks in the Pacific jungle, an Ohio Marine made the ultimate sacrifice by absorbing an enemy explosive to protect his comrades.

A Marine's Ultimate Stand on Guadalcanal

Faced with intense defensive fire blocking his unit advance, an American platoon leader ordered covering fire and assaulted the enemy stronghold by himself to secure victory.

Charging a German Stronghold Alone

He stayed behind to protect military secrets

After enduring devastating depth charges off Truk Island, a submarine commander surfaced to give his crew a fighting chance to escape, then remained behind to take state secrets down with the ship.

The Commander Who Refused to Leave His Submarine

In the darkest early days of the war, American airmen launched twin-engine bombers from an aircraft carrier to execute a surprise raid against Tokyo, shocking enemy defenses.

The Audacious 1942 Carrier Bomber Raid

The narrator explains that the Medal of Honor disregards rank and social station, having been earned equally by four-star generals and enlisted corporals alike.

Why Bravery Knows No Rank

[02:14] Why Courage Makes All Men Kings
[04:08] Why Early America Refused Military Medals
[06:37] How the Medal of Honor Was Born in Civil War
[10:45] The Charge Up San Juan Hill
[13:11] The Bugler Who Scaled the Peking Wall
[18:40] A Marine's Ultimate Stand on Guadalcanal
[19:32] Charging a German Stronghold Alone
[20:18] The Commander Who Refused to Leave His Submarine
[21:58] The Audacious 1942 Carrier Bomber Raid
[23:30] Why Bravery Knows No Rank

How the Medal of Honor was born in war

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