Unsung Heroes Archives - Task & Purpose

By David Roza Jan 8, 2021

Culture

Here’s the fascinating story behind this Army paramedic’s distinct flight mask

“Sgt. Boxx is perhaps the most qualified medic I’ve ever seen."

By Haley Britzky Jan 8, 2021

Unsung Heroes

He spent three years as a POW during WWII. Now he’s finally being recognized for his heroism

"He truly represents members of the greatest generation, who did so much but asked so little from their country."

By Haley Britzky Jan 5, 2021

News

When a stranger was hit by a car this Army medic ran to his aid and never left his side

"This is what we do."

By James Clark Dec 30, 2020

Community

‘I don’t think I’m special’ says Marine who rescued a baby from a burning car

"I was like 'I need to help her get her baby out of the car."

By Haley Britzky Dec 30, 2020

News

‘I knew I needed to do something’ — Airman awarded for braving rocket fire to treat wounded during Camp Taji attack

"Everyone was scared, but we don't leave each other behind, I did all I could do."

By Jared Keller Dec 30, 2020

News

Special Forces doctor awarded for saving lives despite his own injuries following a motorcycle accident

"I'm sorry for bleeding on you, Doc."

By James Clark Dec 19, 2020

News

We salute the Marine Corps infantryman who rescued an infant from a burning car

"I'm not a firefighter, but Marines are prepared to react to contact all the time."

By Paul Szoldra Dec 5, 2020

News

Trump signs law authorizing Medal of Honor to Alwyn Cashe for heroic vehicle rescue in Iraq

“You don’t often find truly selfless sacrifice where someone put his soldiers’ welfare before his own."

By Ryan Pickrell, Business Insider Nov 29, 2020

News

We salute this heroic military working dog for taking out the gunman who pinned his team down during a fierce firefight

A British military working dog who risked life and limb to take out an enemy gunman pouring fire on his...

By Jeff Schogol Nov 25, 2020

News

We salute these Marines for saving the life of a woman trapped underneath a car

'Marines run to the sound of the guns, so it didn’t surprise me at all that the Marines were there'

By Jonathan M. Pitts, The Baltimore Sun Nov 12, 2020

Community

Half a century ago, this soldier escaped armed captors in Africa. He’s still fighting for the recognition many say he’s due

In 1965, Ron Dolecki was on a map-making mission for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Ethiopia when he...

By Haley Britzky Nov 3, 2020

News

Air Force pararescueman awarded Silver Star for risking his life to save his teammates during Afghanistan firefight

"That is heroism. That is what today is about.”

By Jared Keller Oct 30, 2020

News

US special operations forces behind al-Baghdadi raid awarded Presidential Unit Citation

President Donald Trump presented a Presidential Unit Citation to the U.S. special operations forces involved in the raid took out...

By Richard Sisk, Military.com Oct 19, 2020

History

Trump approves Congressional Gold Medal for legendary WWII jungle fighters known as ‘Merrill’s Marauders’

President Donald Trump has signed into law a bill authorizing the Congressional Gold Medal for the legendary all-volunteer jungle fighters...

By Hope Hodge Seck, Military.com Oct 17, 2020

History

‘I met a hero:’ Air Force doctor who treated Alwyn Cashe says he’s never forgotten him

It has been 15 years to the day since Alwyn Cashe risked everything to save his teammates as their Bradley...

By Oct 13, 2020

Community

David Bellavia and the Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia speaks about his service and the relationship to Army Values

By David Roza Oct 8, 2020

News

Navy SEAL who saved 3 kids from drowning receives medal for his heroism

“I was reminded of the seven-mile swim we do in BUD/S, and I thought to myself, if I have to...

By Bing Xiao, Military.com Sep 15, 2020

News

Trump presents Distinguished Flying Cross to National Guard aircrews for daring wildfire rescues

President Donald Trump awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on Monday to two California Army National Guard aircrews who flew repeatedly...

By Rita Giordano, The Philadelphia Inquirer Sep 15, 2020

Community

An Air Force veteran in recovery is using his home to help struggling vets find peace and sanctuary

Air Force veteran Anthony Luton has seen a lot of things in life, good and bad. Now he wants to...

By Matthew Cox, Military.com Sep 12, 2020

News

This Air Force unit has been fighting alongside Army Rangers almost every day since 9/11

The Air Force typically doesn't get a lot of credit for close-range ground combat missions, but there is one unit...

By Jeff Schogol Sep 11, 2020

News

He watched a plane hit the Pentagon on 9/11. Then he braved flames and smoke to save lives

“Heard people and they kept saying: ‘Don’t leave us in here; don’t leave us in here.’"

By Maddie Hanna, The Philadelphia Inquirer Sep 11, 2020

News

The trailblazing Navy captain who helped win the right for women to serve at sea has died

Kathleen Donahue Bruyere, 76, the trailblazing Navy officer who helped win the right for women to serve at sea, died...

By Moss Brennan, The Virginian-Pilot Sep 10, 2020

History

He lost his arm, leg and eye saving his fellow Marines during WWII. Now his family says he deserves the Medal of Honor

For their actions during the bloody struggle for Iwo Jima during World War II, 27 sailors and Marines received the...

By Theresa Braine, New York Daily News Sep 10, 2020

History

This Marine is finally coming home nearly 80 years after his death at the Battle of Tarawa

He enlisted at 28, died at 29 and never came home. Now Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. Frank L. Athon Jr....

By Paul Guzzo, Tampa Bay Times Sep 10, 2020

History

70 years ago, this Medal of Honor recipient sacrificed himself to save his fellow Marines

It has been 70 years since Baldomero Lopez sacrificed his life to save his Marine platoon, smothering a grenade with...

Unsung Heroes

News

Featured in Unsung Heroes

Here’s the fascinating story behind this Army paramedic’s distinct flight mask

He spent three years as a POW during WWII. Now he’s finally being recognized for his heroism

When a stranger was hit by a car this Army medic ran to his aid and never left his side

‘I don’t think I’m special’ says Marine who rescued a baby from a burning car

‘I knew I needed to do something’ — Airman awarded for braving rocket fire to treat wounded during Camp Taji attack

Special Forces doctor awarded for saving lives despite his own injuries following a motorcycle accident

We salute the Marine Corps infantryman who rescued an infant from a burning car

Trump signs law authorizing Medal of Honor to Alwyn Cashe for heroic vehicle rescue in Iraq

We salute this heroic military working dog for taking out the gunman who pinned his team down during a fierce firefight

We salute these Marines for saving the life of a woman trapped underneath a car

Half a century ago, this soldier escaped armed captors in Africa. He’s still fighting for the recognition many say he’s due

Air Force pararescueman awarded Silver Star for risking his life to save his teammates during Afghanistan firefight

US special operations forces behind al-Baghdadi raid awarded Presidential Unit Citation

Trump approves Congressional Gold Medal for legendary WWII jungle fighters known as ‘Merrill’s Marauders’

‘I met a hero:’ Air Force doctor who treated Alwyn Cashe says he’s never forgotten him

David Bellavia and the Medal of Honor

Navy SEAL who saved 3 kids from drowning receives medal for his heroism

Trump presents Distinguished Flying Cross to National Guard aircrews for daring wildfire rescues

An Air Force veteran in recovery is using his home to help struggling vets find peace and sanctuary

This Air Force unit has been fighting alongside Army Rangers almost every day since 9/11

He watched a plane hit the Pentagon on 9/11. Then he braved flames and smoke to save lives

The trailblazing Navy captain who helped win the right for women to serve at sea has died

He lost his arm, leg and eye saving his fellow Marines during WWII. Now his family says he deserves the Medal of Honor

This Marine is finally coming home nearly 80 years after his death at the Battle of Tarawa

70 years ago, this Medal of Honor recipient sacrificed himself to save his fellow Marines