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Uncommon Valor: The Medal of Honor and the Warriors Who Earned It in Afghanistan and Iraq
Uncommon Valor from Dwight Jon Zimmerman and John D. Gresham presents a fascinating look at six of our bravest soldiers and the highest military decoration awarded in this country.
Since the Vietnam War ended in 1973, the Medal of Honor, our nation's highest award for valor, has been presented to only ten men for their actions "above and beyond the call of duty." Eight of the ten were young men who fought in the current war in Iraq, in Afghanistan, or both.
Uncommon Valor answers the searing question of who these young soldiers were, and dramatically details why they found themselves in life-or-death situations, and how they responded. This book also provides a comprehensive history of the Medal of Honor―one marred by controversies, scandals, and theft.
Using an extraordinary range of sources, including interviews with family members and friends, teammates and superiors in the military, personal letters, blogs posted within hours of events, personal and official videos, and newly declassified documents, Uncommon Valor is a compelling and important work that recounts incredible acts of heroism and lays bare the ultimate sacrifice of our bravest soldiers.
Since the Vietnam War ended in 1973, the Medal of Honor, our nation's highest award for valor, has been presented to only ten men for their actions "above and beyond the call of duty." Eight of the ten were young men who fought in the current war in Iraq, in Afghanistan, or both.
Uncommon Valor answers the searing question of who these young soldiers were, and dramatically details why they found themselves in life-or-death situations, and how they responded. This book also provides a comprehensive history of the Medal of Honor―one marred by controversies, scandals, and theft.
Using an extraordinary range of sources, including interviews with family members and friends, teammates and superiors in the military, personal letters, blogs posted within hours of events, personal and official videos, and newly declassified documents, Uncommon Valor is a compelling and important work that recounts incredible acts of heroism and lays bare the ultimate sacrifice of our bravest soldiers.
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2010
About the author
Dwight Jon Zimmerman
110 books15 followersDWIGHT JON ZIMMERMAN is an award-winning author and producer. His most recent book, Uncommon Valor: The Medal of Honor and the Six Warriors Who Earned It in Afghanistan and Iraq, co-authored with John D. Gresham and published by St. Martin’s Press, received the 2010 Founder’s Award from the Military Writers Society of America, the organization’s highest honor. Zimmerman’s other books include the award-winning The Vietnam War: A Graphic History (Hill & Wang), with artist Wayne Vansant, the first-ever single-volume graphic history of the Vietnam War; the critically acclaimed Beyond Hell and Back (St. Martin’s Press), with co-author John D. Gresham, about seven pivotal special operations missions from Vietnam to present day, and the award-winning First Command: Paths to Leadership (Vandamere Press), about the pivotal moments in the early careers of some of America’s most important generals. First Command later became an award-winning mini-series on the Military Channel. Zimmerman has lectured at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the Naval War College and has written numerous articles on military history subjects. His articles have been selected by the Naval War College for use in their curriculum and recognized by the prestigious Journal of Special Operations Medicine. Zimmerman began his career in publishing at Marvel Comics, where he held a variety of editorial positions. In 1992, Zimmerman became executive editor of Topps Comics and was responsible for the editorial and art direction of its lines of media tie-in comics.
His next book is Saga of the Sioux an authorized young adult adaptation of Dee Brown’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Zimmerman lives in Brooklyn, NY, with his wife and daughter.
His next book is Saga of the Sioux an authorized young adult adaptation of Dee Brown’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Zimmerman lives in Brooklyn, NY, with his wife and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 20, 2020
Spending time with books that I have read in the past but did not leave a review, I pulled this one off my shelf and read it once again. I remembered immediately why I was touched by it and why I never got rid of it. Growing up in a military home I always knew about the Medal of Honor and some of the past recipients from WWI and WWII, here though are today’s young heroes.
I had already read the story about LT. Murphy from the book by Marcus Latrell and I am still amazed by LT. Murphy’s sacrifice that day. The same with each of these men. I would later read about Sgt. Monti in another book about the 10 Mountain Division and how his sacrifice that day going after one of his men three times instilled what was in each solider fighting on that mountain.
Each story shows the men from their time growing up to when the entered the service and then their dedication not only to the job at hand but to each person that was with them side by side, true brothers in arms ready to sacrifice themselves for the betterment of others and I really don’t think they thought about it that they each one acted as it was just in their nature to do what they did.
This was and is still a fantastic book about courage and today’s soldier. Very much worth the read still.
I had already read the story about LT. Murphy from the book by Marcus Latrell and I am still amazed by LT. Murphy’s sacrifice that day. The same with each of these men. I would later read about Sgt. Monti in another book about the 10 Mountain Division and how his sacrifice that day going after one of his men three times instilled what was in each solider fighting on that mountain.
Each story shows the men from their time growing up to when the entered the service and then their dedication not only to the job at hand but to each person that was with them side by side, true brothers in arms ready to sacrifice themselves for the betterment of others and I really don’t think they thought about it that they each one acted as it was just in their nature to do what they did.
This was and is still a fantastic book about courage and today’s soldier. Very much worth the read still.
March 11, 2011
Wow! Obviously, this book is incredibly sad, but it allows you to see some of the things from the war that you otherwise wouldn't know about. I also learned a lot about the different medals. It was all very interesting. The stories in this book really touch your heart. I'm glad my husband asked me to read it.
January 1, 2012
It was an honor and very humbling to read about these Medal of Honor recipients. There aren't enough words to describe how amazing and selfless they were.
May 17, 2012
Terrific book -- well-researched and well-written. Interesting topic.
December 27, 2012
Final Roll Call:
"Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith."
Silence.
"Corporal Jason Dunham."
Silence.
"Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy."
Silence.
"Petty Officer Second Class Michael Anthony Monsoor."
Silence.
"U.S. Army Specialist Ross A. McGinnis."
Silence.
"U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Jared C. Monti."
Silence.
What makes a person deliberately fall on a grenade, charge into a line of fire, sacrifice his life to save another? The six brave men listed above, all posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, aren't here to explain their actions. All we can do is guess why they did what they did. In Uncommon Valor, authors Dwight Jon Zimmerman and John D. Gresham attempt to answer these haunting questions.
The book delves into the history of the medal itself, but for me, the wife of a former fighter pilot and now mother of an Army 2nd Lieutenant, my favorite chapters were the ones that explored each man's past. I learned about their childhoods, their families, and their lives before they chose to enter the military. Throughout the book, I was reminded of a line from The Soldier's Creed: "I am a warrior and a member of a team." Each man put his comrades first.
This book will change you. Reading Uncommon Valor will make you want to become a better person. A better citizen. A better steward of this great land we call America.
I highly recommend this book.
Kathleen M. Rodgers ~ author of the Amazon best-selling novel, "The Final Salute"
Ranked #1 Top Rated War Fiction
"Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith."
Silence.
"Corporal Jason Dunham."
Silence.
"Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy."
Silence.
"Petty Officer Second Class Michael Anthony Monsoor."
Silence.
"U.S. Army Specialist Ross A. McGinnis."
Silence.
"U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Jared C. Monti."
Silence.
What makes a person deliberately fall on a grenade, charge into a line of fire, sacrifice his life to save another? The six brave men listed above, all posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, aren't here to explain their actions. All we can do is guess why they did what they did. In Uncommon Valor, authors Dwight Jon Zimmerman and John D. Gresham attempt to answer these haunting questions.
The book delves into the history of the medal itself, but for me, the wife of a former fighter pilot and now mother of an Army 2nd Lieutenant, my favorite chapters were the ones that explored each man's past. I learned about their childhoods, their families, and their lives before they chose to enter the military. Throughout the book, I was reminded of a line from The Soldier's Creed: "I am a warrior and a member of a team." Each man put his comrades first.
This book will change you. Reading Uncommon Valor will make you want to become a better person. A better citizen. A better steward of this great land we call America.
I highly recommend this book.
Kathleen M. Rodgers ~ author of the Amazon best-selling novel, "The Final Salute"
Ranked #1 Top Rated War Fiction
July 16, 2012
This book was absolutely AMAZING!! It told some of the most touching, brave, and sad stories about the recipients of the Medal of Honor. These stories were about the six soldiers who have received the Medal of Honor during the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. All of these recipients have earned the respect of everyone in the United States of America. They cared deeply for their country, and some of them died for it. I would deeply encourage you to read this book. But be advised: These stories involve the reality of the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, some of which the details would be hurtful to the minds of sensitive readers.
May 2, 2020
A touching read on the some of the selfless heroes that are the Medal of Honor recipients. The paperback copy I had also included a revision adding 2 extra men who received the medal while waiting for the hard cover to be released, so I recommend finding that version if possible. Many of the stories brought me to tears. I learned a lot about the history of the medals including the over issuing of the medal before clear criteria was set, the under issuing due to prejudice of the past, and also about the black market and counterfeit medals that exist and what was has been and is continuing to be done to right the wrongs of the past.
December 16, 2023
Uncommon Valor is the stories of 6 recipients of the medal of honor in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some of the stories are famous, some are unknown but all deserve to be told.
The book moves at a good pace with some historical information included between chapters on recipients. It is an easy read with good background on each soldier.
4 out of 5 due to lack of detail for some of soldiers. For the ones with full writeups the work is excellent. For the few with less details I was left wanting more.
The book moves at a good pace with some historical information included between chapters on recipients. It is an easy read with good background on each soldier.
4 out of 5 due to lack of detail for some of soldiers. For the ones with full writeups the work is excellent. For the few with less details I was left wanting more.
September 25, 2019
This book is humbling, it shows heroism, valor, and the realities of war. I read this and thought it was a very good book and detailed perfectly to give a sense of what the life of these soldiers was like and how they felt among many things including patriotism and their fellow soldiers. The reason I rated it four stars instead of five was because of the explanations behind the Medal of Honor seemed drawn out to me.
November 15, 2014
The stories of battle from Afghanistan and Iraq are just emerging. That is the way of history, that the true tales of valor take time to reach the light of day. The stories we grow to know first are those of the people that win the Medal of Honor.
This book takes us through several of those stories - introducing us to not just the heroes but their past and what made them the people that were destined or ordained to secure this highest honor.
The book is well written, very entertaining. Unlike other books of this period these stories were complete. They didn't leave me with gaps or lacking details. This is not a book about war - its is about people...which are the best kind of stories.
This book takes us through several of those stories - introducing us to not just the heroes but their past and what made them the people that were destined or ordained to secure this highest honor.
The book is well written, very entertaining. Unlike other books of this period these stories were complete. They didn't leave me with gaps or lacking details. This is not a book about war - its is about people...which are the best kind of stories.
June 19, 2012
The men highlighted in this book are the epitome of a HERO. It's not just their brave final acts, how they conducted themselves throughout life should be heralded.
They'll be forever bonded by final altruistic acts which saved lives of their comrades, fully aware it'd probably be their last.
The father or Ross A McGinnis put it best when he said, "I never knew what a Medal of Honor recipient would look like." They're not John Wayne look-a-likes, only ordinary men who lived extraordinary lives.
They'll be forever bonded by final altruistic acts which saved lives of their comrades, fully aware it'd probably be their last.
The father or Ross A McGinnis put it best when he said, "I never knew what a Medal of Honor recipient would look like." They're not John Wayne look-a-likes, only ordinary men who lived extraordinary lives.
November 7, 2010
Great explanation of our military honors and the history of the various branches as they developed the awards. A must read to know about our heroes from Afghanistan.
February 6, 2017
Short stories of those awarded the Medal of Honor in the 21st Century. Inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews