Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty

by Peter Collier

On October 25, 2010, Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta became the first living person since the Vietnam War to receive the United States’ highest military decoration, and both he and Sergeant Leroy Petry (the second inductee) rightly take their place in the pages of this third edition of Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty. The book includes 144 contemporary portraits of recipients by award-winning photographer Nick Del Calzo and profiles by National Book Award nominee Peter Collier. First published on Veterans Day 2003, this New York Times bestseller has now been updated and augmented to include new essays plus:

• Letters from all living presidents • A foreword by Brian Williams • Profiles of Sergeant Giunta and Sergeant Petry

There are also essays by Tom Brokaw, Senator John McCain, and Victor Davis Hanson, and a multimedia DVD with historic footage and recipients’ first-person reflections. The Medal of Honor recipients in the book fought in conflicts from World War II to Afghanistan, serving in every branch of the armed services.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military History, Military Fiction, Americana

295 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

Founder of Encounter Books in California, Collier was publisher from 1998-2005. He co-founded the Center for the Study of Popular Culture with David Horowitz. Collier wrote many books and articles with Horowitz. Collier worked on the website FrontpageMag. He was an organizer of Second Thoughts conferences for leftists who have moved right.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Mark Fallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me about how much we owe the men and women in uniform who fight for us. Reading about the selfless acts of these men was both humbling and inspiring.

Forget about standardized tests, this book should be mandatory reading for every high school senior.

[Xavier Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Medal of Honor” by Peter Collier, written in 2011, is a historical nonfiction book that reflects on many different Medal of Honor recipients and their heroism across different eras of Wartime in American history. The stories are set all throughout American warfare, stretching from World War 1 to our battles in the middle east closer to present day. While there are no specific “main characters”, a character that hit close to home was a soldier by the name of Joe Vittori, a corporal in the Marine Corps who won the Medal of Honor for his sacrifice in the Korean War. All the stories tell some sort of the hero’s upbringing, then leading up to their heroism in battle, and then their recognition outside of the battlefield. The ultimate act of sacrifice and selflessness is a present theme throughout every story told by Collier, as the Medal of Honor winners are the definition of disregarding one’s own well being to help someone else.
I personally enjoyed reading about all of the different soldiers throughout the entire novel. The courageousness portrayed in “Medal of Honor” truly left me speechless constantly. The author covers a wide variety of winners, all coming from different backgrounds, different home states, with a common inner quality: the ability to put others before themselves. I believe the book does a truly amazing job of highlighting the brave soldiers who put their country above their own well being time and time again. The book truly inspired me to join the military one day and serve for the same country these brave people once did. I highly recommend “Medal of Honor” by Peter Collier to anybody, this book is filled with truly beautiful acts of selflessness that will inspire any reader who picks up this recollection of heroes.

[Sleepy Boy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked it, but I couldnt help feeling it couldve been more. While it recounts their deployments and the actions that earned them the MoH its not too personal. The storytelling isnt very personal either, would have been much more poignant if the vets themselves recounted their own stories. The portraits however were excellent.

[Joe Rodeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

The creation and evolution of the Medal of Honor is good solid fun American history. The dozens of mini-bios are more like something you'd see in an encyclopedia--better for war historians or relatives.

[Aaron Sieben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful look at the many heroic deeds and variety of men who gave their last full measure of devotion to their country. Even though this book is about the men that survived to receive the MOH, the reader never loses sight of the reality that most recipients of the medal receive it posthumously. It’s truly awe-inspiring with specific individual stories, but there’s a meditative quality about what courage, sacrifice, honor, and patriotism really mean. As it says in the book, “their sacrifice is our mandate; our challenge is to remember.” I’d also add that, “time does not dim the glory of their deeds.” This book illustrates the transcendent qualities of heroism across time and circumstances. It somehow hardened my already deep appreciation for our military into a fortress of eternal gratitude. I feel this probably because I served in the military myself and understand the tenacity with which everyone in the military is trained and endures great challenges and sacrifices.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers and tells the story of all the living Medal of Honor winners, some of them passed away while the book was being worked on. Each recipient is given 2 pages, 1 written telling of how they earned the medal and the other page is photographs usually a current one and one from when they received the medal. All in all a good book but obviously many could have been given more than a single page.

[Dacy Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! Really enjoyed reading about the different stories and the bravery displayed by each man.

[Julie Pint · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humbling look at brave men that sacrificed so much for our country, and the burden many still feel to wear the Medal. A book every American should read.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, okay, I had to read this book for work, and truth be told, I probably wouldn't know about it if it weren't for my job. Having said that, I'm so glad I did. The stories are short and succinct, and the portraits are life-alteringly beautiful. This would be a great gift for any member of the Greatest Generation, or any family member who has served in the military.

[Arapahoe Libraries · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and detailed book about 116 winners of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Full of wonderful portraits of then and now as well as an accounting of the heroic stories that led to the awarding of each medal. Moving and inspiring, a must read for any history buff! I LOVE this book and the other stories about MOH winners!

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each of these stories touches the heart. Each could be it's own book and some have been. Each is an inspiration. I hesitate to point out one over all the others, but the story of Tibor Rubin made me cry. What a story! If you saw this story in a movie you would not believe it.
Read these stories of sacrifice, courage and commitment.

[Little Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a retired military man this book had special meaning as I read it. If you read this and still don't understand the sacrifice our military men make then you are living in the wrong country. Ever high school senior should read this book to understand where they live and what they have been given. My highest recommendation

[Debbie]

Recommended by Brian Williams

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing photos and interesting information. Wow... we have no idea what people go through to defend our country!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable courage, heroes every one. Amazing stories, well earned honors. God Bless them all.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic review of the MOH winners.