Twice a prisoner, and initially denied our nation’s highest honor due to antisemitism, Tibor Rubin was finally awarded the Medal of Honor in 2005.

Known as the “Ace of Aces,” Major Richard Ira Bong is credited with the downing of an impressive confirmed total of 40 enemy aircraft.

The National WWII Museum will commemorate Memorial Day by honoring the courage and sacrifice of fallen servicemembers through a series of public programs. On May 30, the Museum’s events will kick off at 10:30 a.m. with patriotic music selections by the Marine Corps Band New Orleans Brass Quintet. The performance will be followed by a special ceremony featuring personal tributes from relatives of those who lost their lives during World War II.

Bussel spent a year as a prisoner of war after his plane was shot down over Germany—a traumatic experience that would fuel his work on behalf of veterans and former POWs later in life.

During the Battle of Buna, two soldiers of the 32nd Infantry Division went above and beyond the call of duty.