In 2003, Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith almost single handedly prevented Baghdad International Airport from being overrun.

Lt. Mark Donald risked his life to treat Afghan and American soldiers in an ambush. He then ran to another ambush nearby to rescue more men.

When a company of Army soldiers were ambushed in enemy territory, Gunnery Sgt. Justin LeHew helped lead the rescue effort. Then he fought on.

Sean Barner’s cool head saved an apartment full of his friends from masked assailants.

When his friend was killed during a raid in Fallujah, Christopher Adlesperger unleashed hell on the enemy, and then some.

Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis shielded a Polish soldier from a suicide bomber.

Staff Sgt. Nathan Hervey led his Marines in repelling an ambush by a larger enemy force, picking off and routing the enemy.

Outnumbered in a remote Afghan province, two Special Forces soldiers stepped up to save their beleaguered allies, and then turned their attention to the enemy.

Senior Airman Jason D. Cunningham refused to leave any of his men in the rubble of a Chinook crash.

Medal of Honor recipient Cpl. Jason Dunham selflessly sacrificed his own life when he leapt atop an enemy grenade, saving at least two other Marines.

When one of his soldiers went down in the middle of a firefight in Afghanistan, Sgt. 1st Class John I. Smith risked everything to ensure he made it out alive.

Pvt. Stephen Sanford was shot during a raid, but it didn’t stop him from completing the mission.