American Valor Quarterly Issue 2 - Spring 2008 | Page 2

American Valor Quarterly A Quarterly Publication of the American Veterans Center www.americanveteranscenter.org World War II Veterans Committee National Vietnam Veterans Committee www.wwiivets.com www.vietnamvetscommittee.org Spring 2008 Chapters -In This Issue- Special Feature 7 American Veterans Center’s Tenth Annual Awards Each year on Veterans Day, the American Veterans Center honors the U.S. military’s greatest heroes from every generation, World War II through today. Here, we share their stories, and print the award citations. World War II Chronicles Iwo Jima with 12 The Black Sands ofJames White Charles W. Tatum, Donald Mates, and A first-hand account of the most legendary - and brutal - battle in the history of the U.S. Marine Corps. 18 WWII: The Japanese American Experience In the battle against prejudice at home and America’s enemies abroad, Japanese Americans proved to be heroes on two fronts. Korea: Remember our Heroes ories Valor S t or ies of Valor For the past decade, the American Veterans Center, with the World War II Veterans Committee and the National Vietnam Veterans Committee, has brought together America’s greatest military heroes, past and present, for an annual Veterans Day High school students line up to shake hands with veterans of the 442nd conference. There, they meet with and speak to an audience of hundreds of stu- Regimental Combat Team of World War II at the 10th Annual Conference. dents, fellow veterans, and citizens interested in hearing the stories of our most distinguished veterans. In this issue, we share with you several of those stories recounted at the Center’s 10th Annual Conference last Veterans Day weekend. Ne Legacy Valor A N e w Leg acy of Valor 32 22 Valor at Chosin with Captain Thomas J. Hudner, Jr. The Battle of Tarin Kowt An excerpt from Veterans Chronicles Maj. Jason Amerine, leader of the Special Forces team that linked up with Hamid Karzai early on in Operation Enduring Freedom, recounts his incredible story. 37 Operation Phantom Fury: The Second Battle of Fallujah with Col. Willy Buhl, SSgt. David Bellavia, and Sgt. Jeremiah Workman The fighting experienced by the Marines and soldiers in Operation Phantom Fury was the toughest urban combat since Hue City during the Tet Offensive, 40 years ago. Here, the heroes of Fallujah recall the defining battle of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The first Medal of Honor recipient of the Korean War recalls his attempts to save the life of his fellow Naval Aviator and friend. 24 Valor: The VeTerans of VieTnam We Were Soldiers: The Battle of Ia Drang with Lt. General Hal Moore, Joseph Galloway, and the men made famous by their acclaimed book Against an overwhelming enemy force, the men of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) are put to the ultimate test, demonstrating the courage and honor that would become commonplace among the U.S. servicemen in Vietnam. this No Coming this November! The American Veterans Center’s 11th Annual Veterans Conference Jimmy Doolittle’s B-25 launches from the USS Hornet for his legendary raid on Tokyo in 1942. The 11th Annual Conference is your opportunity to meet heroes like the Doolittle Raiders, and many more! In the coming pages, you will read the stories of some of America’s greatest military heroes told at the American Veterans Center’s 10th Annual Conference. If you missed seeing them live in 2007, don’t fret! You still have an opportunity, as we invite you to join us for the upcoming 11th Annual Conference, to be held from November 6-8, 2008 in Washington, DC. From the heroes of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam to those serving us today, it will be a weekend none who attend will soon forget! To request information on attending the 11th Annual Conference, call 703-302-1012 ext. 203 or e-mail [email protected]