Daniel Zerbe was born on June 27, 1983, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on August 21, 2001, and completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, in October 2001. After completing the U.S. Air Force Pararescue training pipeline, Sgt Zerbe served as a Pararescueman with the 38th Rescue Squadron at Moody AFB, Georgia, from March 2003 to May 2006. He then served as a Pararescueman and Special Tactics Team Member with the 24th Special Tactics Squadron at Pope AFB, North Carolina, from May 2006 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. During this time, TSgt Zerbe deployed multiple times to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Daniel Zerbe was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

His 2nd Bronze Star with Valor Citation reads:

On: 31 October 2008 – For exceptionally valorous achievement as an assault force pararescueman for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. On this date, Sergeant Zerbe’s bravery under fire and decisive actions were instrumental to the elimination of a high ranking Taliban facilitator and enemy combatants. During an intense firefight, without regard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Zerbe exposed himself to enemy contact and maneuvered to a position of tactical advantage, enabling him to eliminate armed enemy combatants. His actions were crucial in ensuring the protection of the assault force and the success of the mission. Through his distinctive accomplishments, Staff Sergeant Zerbe reflected great credit upon himself, this command, the United States Air Force, and the United States Army.

His 4th Bronze Star Medal Citation reads:

Period: 1 July 2011 to 6 August 2011 – For exceptionally meritorious achievement as an assault force pararescueman for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this period, Sergeant Zerbe conducted several objectives resulting in multiple enemies eliminated and detained. He led the full spectrum medical and rescue planning, ensuring the successful execution of the task force’s highest priority missions. On 4 August 2011, Sergeant Zerbe and his team responded on a mission to eliminate or capture a high-value Taliban commander in Afghanistan. His helicopter was attacked in the target area by enemy fighters and was shot down by a rocket propelled grenade.

John Brown was born on November 3, 1977, in California. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on March 18, 2002, and completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, in May 2002. After completing the U.S. Air Force Pararescue Pipeline, Sgt Brown served as a Pararescueman with the 38th Rescue Squadron at Moody AFB, Georgia, from October 2003 to January 2006, followed by service as a Pararescueman with the 31st Rescue Squadron at Kadena AB, Okinawa, from January 2006 to January 2009. His next assignment was as a Pararescueman and Special Tactics Team Member with the 24th Special Tactics Squadron at Pope AFB, North Carolina, from January 2009 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. John Brown was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

His 1st Bronze Star Medal Citation reads:

Period: 27 February 2010 to 28 June 2010 – For exceptionally meritorious achievement as a combat search and rescue team leader for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this period, Sergeant Brown provided rescue coverage for numerous combat operations in hostile territory. He led his team in recovering several crew member remains and sensitive items from a crashed aircraft as well as treatment and evacuation of the wounded. Sergeant Brown coordinated casualty collection, triage, evacuation, blocking positions and communications with base operations for accountability during synchronized anti-coalition fighter and rocket attacks. Through his distinctive accomplishments, Staff Sergeant Brown reflected great credit upon himself, this command, the United States Air Force, and the United States Army.

His 2nd Bronze Star Medal Citation reads:

Period: 1 July 2011 to 6 August 2011 – For exceptionally meritorious achievement as an Assault Force Pararescueman for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this period, Sergeant Brown conducted several objectives resulting in multiple enemies eliminated and detained. He led the full spectrum medical and rescue planning, ensuring the successful execution of the task force’s highest priority missions. On 5 August 2011, Sergeant Brown and his team responded on a mission to eliminate or capture a high-value Taliban commander in Afghanistan. His helicopter was attacked in the target area by enemy fighters and was shot down by a rocket propelled grenade. Through his distinctive accomplishments, Technical Sergeant Brown reflected great credit upon himself, this command, the United States Air Force, and the United States Army.

Darrik Benson was born on October 3, 1982, in Angwin, California. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2001, and completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training, Jump School, and SEAL Qualification Training before being assigned to SEAL Team THREE at NAB Coronado, California, from June 2003 to September 2009. During this time, SO1 Benson deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from October 2004 to January 2005, and from April to October 2008. His next assignment was in Gold Squadron with the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) at Dam Neck, Virginia, from September 2009 until he was killed in action aboard a CH-47 Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. Darrik Benson was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemtery in San Diego, California.

His Bronze Star Medal w/Valor Citation reads:

For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy as an Assault Team Member for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from 1 March 2010 to 1 July 2010. During this period, Petty Officer First Class Benson consistently and deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire while conducting several direct action missions, resulting in the elimination of numerous enemy fighters and the capture of others. On 17 March 2010, Petty Officer First Class Benson was positioned on a roof during a daring nighttime raid in an enemy controlled valley when the enemy fighters opened fire on his team. He quickly returned fire, eliminating the fighters as the assault force came under heavy enemy fire from numerous positions within the targeted compound and throughout the valley. When a barricaded shooter mortally wounded his teammate, Petty Officer First Class Benson moved from his position to explosively breach the external wall of the room containing the barricaded shooter. Through the breached wall, he engaged the barricaded shooter with grenades enabling his teammates to enter the compound and recover their wounded teammate. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Petty Officer First Class Benson reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Luther Story was born on July 20, 1931, in Buena Vista, Georgia. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on October 21, 1948, and after completing Basic Training and Advanced Training as an Infantryman, PFC Story served with Company A, 9th Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington, until July 1950, when he deployed with his unit to Pusan, South Korea, at the beginning of the Korean War. CPL Story was killed in action near Agok, South Korea, on September 1, 1950, but he was officially listed as Missing in Action until he was declared dead on September 1, 1953. His remains have never been returned, but he does have a cenotaph marker at Andersonville National Cemetery near Andersonville, Georgia.

His Medal of Honor Citation reads:

Pfc. Story, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. A savage daylight attack by elements of 3 enemy divisions penetrated the thinly held lines of the 9th Infantry. Company A beat off several banzai attacks but was bypassed and in danger of being cut off and surrounded. Pfc. Story, a weapons squad leader, was heavily engaged in stopping the early attacks and had just moved his squad to a position overlooking the Naktong River when he observed a large group of the enemy crossing the river to attack Company A. Seizing a machine gun from his wounded gunner he placed deadly fire on the hostile column killing or wounding an estimated 100 enemy soldiers. Facing certain encirclement the company commander ordered a withdrawal. During the move Pfc. Story noticed the approach of an enemy truck loaded with troops and towing an ammunition trailer. Alerting his comrades to take cover he fearlessly stood in the middle of the road, throwing grenades into the truck. Out of grenades he crawled to his squad, gathered up additional grenades and again attacked the vehicle. During the withdrawal the company was attacked by such superior numbers that it was forced to deploy in a rice field. Pfc. Story was wounded in this action, but, disregarding his wounds, rallied the men about him and repelled the attack. Realizing that his wounds would hamper his comrades he refused to retire to the next position but remained to cover the company’s withdrawal. When last seen he was firing every weapon available and fighting off another hostile assault. Private Story’s extraordinary heroism, aggressive leadership, and supreme devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the military service.

David Champagne was born on November 13, 1932, in Waterville, Maine. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on March 7, 1951, and after completing basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, he served at Camp Pendleton, California, from June to August 1951. Cpl Champagne deployed to Korea in October 1951, where he served with A Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division until he was killed in action on May 28, 1952. He was buried at the Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery in Waterville, Maine. 

His Medal of Honor Citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a fire team leader of Company A, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Advancing with his platoon in the initial assault of the company against a strongly fortified and heavily defended hill position, Cpl. Champagne skillfully led his fire team through a veritable hail of intense enemy machine gun, small-arms, and grenade fire, overrunning trenches and a series of almost impregnable bunker positions before reaching the crest of the hill and placing his men in defensive positions. Suffering a painful leg wound while assisting in repelling the ensuing hostile counterattack, which was launched under cover of a murderous hail of mortar and artillery fire, he steadfastly refused evacuation and fearlessly continued to control his fire team When the enemy counterattack increased in intensity, and a hostile grenade landed in the midst of the fire team, Cpl. Champagne unhesitatingly seized the deadly missile and hurled it in the direction of the approaching enemy. As the grenade left his hand, it exploded blowing off his hand and throwing him out of the trench. Mortally wounded by enemy mortar fire while in this exposed position, Cpl. Champagne, by his valiant leadership, fortitude, and gallant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death, undoubtedly saved the lives of several of his fellow marines. His heroic actions served to inspire all who observed him and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Rodolfo P. “Rudy” Hernandez, a Medal Of Honor recipient from the Korean war passed away on 21 December 2013 at the age of 82 at Womack Army Medical Center after battling cancer. Mr. Hernandez was awarded the Medal Of Honor for his actions near Wontong-ni, Korea, 31 May 1951.

Hernandez was assigned to Company G of the 2nd Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. His platoon was ordered to defend Hill 420, located near Wonton-ni. On May 31, 1951, his platoon was the object of a numerically superior enemy counterattack. A close-quarters firefight broke out when enemy troops surged up the hill and inflicted numerous casualties on the platoon. Hernandez was wounded during the attack, but was able to fire upon the rushing enemy troops. After his rifle ruptured, he continued attacking the enemy with his bayonet. His attack enabled his comrades to regroup and take back the hill.

A grenade explosion that blew away part of his brain knocked him unconscious. Hernandez, who had received grenade, bayonet, and bullet wounds, appeared dead to the first medic who reached him, Keith Oates. Oates realized, however, that Hernandez was still alive when he saw him move his fingers. Hernandez woke up a month later in a military hospital, unable to move his arms or legs or to talk.

On April 12, 1952, President Harry S. Truman bestowed upon Hernandez the Medal of Honor in a ceremony held in the White House Rose Garden. After many surgeries and physical therapy over a five-year period, Hernandez regained limited use of his right arm and learned to write with his left hand.

His Medal of Honor Citation reads:

Cpl. Hernandez, a member of Company G, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy.

His platoon, in defensive positions on Hill 420, came under ruthless attack by a numerically superior and fanatical hostile force, accompanied by heavy artillery, mortar, and machinegun fire which inflicted numerous casualties on the platoon.

His comrades were forced to withdraw due to lack of ammunition but Cpl. Hernandez, although wounded in an exchange of grenades, continued to deliver deadly fire into the ranks of the onrushing assailants until a ruptured cartridge rendered his rifle inoperative.

Immediately leaving his position, Cpl. Hernandez rushed the enemy armed only with rifle and bayonet.

Fearlessly engaging the foe, he killed 6 of the enemy before falling unconscious from grenade, bayonet, and bullet wounds but his heroic action momentarily halted the enemy advance and enabled his unit to counterattack and retake the lost ground.

The indomitable fighting spirit, outstanding courage, and tenacious devotion to duty clearly demonstrated by Cpl. Hernandez reflect the highest credit upon himself, the infantry, and the U.S. Army.

[custom_frame_left][/custom_frame_left]His Medal of Honor Citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. When the company was suddenly pinned down by a hail of extremely accurate enemy fire and was quickly separated from the remainder of the battalion by over 500 meters of open and fire-swept ground, and casualties mounted rapidly. Lt. Barnum quickly made a hazardous reconnaissance of the area, seeking targets for his artillery. Finding the rifle company commander mortally wounded and the radio operator killed, he, with complete disregard for his safety, gave aid to the dying commander, then removed the radio from the dead operator and strapped it to himself. He immediately assumed command of the rifle company, and moving at once into the midst of the heavy fire, rallying and giving encouragement to all units, reorganized them to replace the loss of key personnel and led their attack on enemy positions from which deadly fire continued to come. His sound and swift decisions and his obvious calm served to stabilize the badly decimated units and his gallant example as he stood exposed repeatedly to point out targets served as an inspiration to all. Provided with 2 armed helicopters, he moved fearlessly through enemy fire to control the air attack against the firmly entrenched enemy while skillfully directing 1 platoon in a successful counterattack on the key enemy positions. Having thus cleared a small area, he requested and directed the landing of 2 transport helicopters for the evacuation of the dead and wounded. He then assisted in the mopping up and final seizure of the battalion’s objective. His gallant initiative and heroic conduct reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. [custom_frame_right[/custom_frame_right]

More about Col. Barnum:

H.C. “Barney” Barnum was born on July 21, 1940, in Cheshire, Connecticut. He was commissioned a 2d Lt in the U.S. Marine Corps, in June 1962. Lt Barnum served with the 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa from February 1963 to April 1964. His next assignment was with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, from April 1964 to March 1965, followed by service as Guard Officer at Marine Barracks, NB Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, from March to December 1965.

Lt Barnum deployed to Southeast Asia in December 1965, and served as an artillery forward observer with Co. H, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, from December 1965 to June 1966, followed by service as Operations Officer, Hawaiian Armed Forces Police, from June 1966 to March 1967. Capt Barnum served with Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps in the Pentagon from September 1967 to October 1968, and then returned to Vietnam, where he served as commander of Battery E, 2nd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, from October 1968 to October 1969. He served as a weapons instructor with the Basic School at Quantico from November 1969 to August 1971, and then attended the Amphibious Warfare School at Quantico from August 1971 to March 1972. His next assignment was as Operations Officer and then Executive Officer with the 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from March 1972 to June 1974, followed by service on the staff of the 2nd Marine Division from June 1974 to June 1975. He attended Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, from June 1975 to June 1976, and then served as the Fire Support Coordinator for the 9th Amphibious Brigade of the 3rd Marine Division, and then Regimental Inspector for the 12th Marine Regiment, from June 1976 to September 1977.

Col Barnum commanded Headquarters Company, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, from September 1977 to May 1979, and he then commanded the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion from June 1979 to March 1981. He served as Depot Inspector at Parris Island from March to July 1981, followed by Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island, from July 1981 to June 1982. His next assignment was with the Host Nation Support Branch Logistics Directorate of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force (redesignated U.S. Central Command in January 1983) at MacDill AFB, Florida, from June 1982 to May 1983, followed by service as Chief of the Current Operations Division, Operations Directorate for USCENTCOM from May 1983 to August 1985. Col Barnum served as Deputy Director of Public Affairs with Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps from August 1985 to July 1986, and then served as Director of the Special Projects Division from July 1986 to June 1987. He served as Military Secretary to the Commandant of the Marine Corps from July 1987 to March 1989, followed by service as Special Assistant to the Commandant from April 1989 until his retirement from the Marine Corps on August 1, 1989

[custom_frame_left shadow=”on”][/custom_frame_left] Jack Rittichier was born on August 17, 1933, in Akron, Ohio. He was commissioned a 2Lt in the U.S. Air Force through Officer Training School at Lackland AFB, Texas, in August 1957, and completed Undergraduate Pilot Training in December 1958. After completing combat crew training in the B-47 Stratojet bomber, Rittichier flew with the 340th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, until he left the Air Force in November 1962. He accepted a commission as a LT in the U.S. Coast Guard on September 26, 1963, and was trained as a search and rescue helicopter pilot. Rittichier was assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, from 1963 to May 1966, and then at Air Station Detroit, flying out of Selfridge AFB, Michigan, from May 1966 to April 1968. He then volunteered for an exchange program with the Air Force and began flying combat missions with the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Da Nang AB in the Republic of Vietnam. LT Rittichier was killed in action on June 9, 1968, while attempting to rescue a downed Marine Corps Aviator. His remains were finally recovered in 2002 and he was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on October 6, 2003.[custom_frame_right shadow=”on”][/custom_frame_right]

His Silver Star Citation reads:

LT JACK C RITTICHIER, United States Coast Guard, distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Rescue Crew Commander of an HH-3E helicopter in Southeast Asia on 9 June 1968. On that date, LT RITTICHIER attempted the rescue of a downed pilot from one of the most heavily defended areas in Southeast Asia. Despite intense accurate hostile fire which had severely damaged another helicopter, LT RITTICHIER, with undaunted determination, indomitable courage, and professional skill, established a hover and persisted in the rescue attempt until his aircraft was downed by the hostile fire. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, LT RITTICHIER reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.

Special thanks to www.veterantributes.org.