Cpl. Waverly Woodson Jr., a member of an African American battalion, treated scores of soldiers wounded on D-Day but was passed over for the medal. Lawmakers and relatives have tried to change that.
Many Americans may have forgotten that Veterans Day began as a commemoration of World War I veterans. NPR's Kathleen Rushlow remembers her grandfather, who served in the 12th Machine Gun Battalion.
Retired Army Staff Sgt. David Bellavia received the nation's highest medal for heroism for saving his squad in Fallujah, Iraq. Bellavia is the first living veteran of that war to be so honored.
Army Capt. Gary Rose is credited with saving the lives of dozens of soldiers during a dayslong operation in Laos, as he ran into enemy fire to save the wounded. The mission was classified for decades.
The president described Lt. Col. Charles Kettles as reminder of "goodness and decency" after a "tough couple of weeks." Kettles is credited in saving 44 lives during the Vietnam War.
Sgt. Charles Schroeter, who received the Medal of Honor for his valor during the Indian Wars, was buried in an unmarked communal crypt in San Diego. On Thursday, he returned to his comrades-in-arms.
