Every now and then you read a plaintive cry in one media outlet or another about the lack of heroes in the War on Terror. The sad truth is that when a man or woman is a hero both the military and the media fail to cover the story. Many heroes’ stories are found only in the Military Times or the Times version for their branch of service. I’ve covered just over 300 stories here at America’s North Shore Journal and each and every one cries out for more recognition.

Here are the stories of ten American heroes whose stories, I believe, call for far greater recognition than they have received. Should each one of these brave men be a candidate for a future Medal of Honor? The MoH’s for this war have all been upgrades from the Silver Star, which is what each of these ten men have been given.

• Sgt. 1st Class Gary Villalobos – ambushed. Senior officer wounded. IA ran. He stood his ground and fought.
• Capt. Christopher P. Niedziocha – Marine. 23 Taliban killed, 3 Marines wounded.
• Master Sgt. Suran Sar – Special Forces. Known in the community as an outstanding warrior.
• Sgt. Joseph Proctor – prevented a VIED attack at the cost of his own life.
• PFC Ross A. McGinnis – MoH nomination said to be on a desk in the Pentagon. MoH June 2 2008
• Captain Brian G. Cillessen – Special Forces. Proudest of assisting in Afghan election.
• Staff Sgt. Brandon Zylstra – think a paratrooper Audi Murphy.
• Staff Sergeant Chad Malmberg – from the Red Bulls, Minnesota National Guard.
• Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller – Special Forces. A story that has not yet been told.
• Corporal Sean Andrew Stokes – the Marine who redeemed himself.

There are dozens more that deserve upgrades, Bronze Stars to Silver Stars, to DSC’s or Navy Crosses, or to the Medal itself.

You will not have heard of any of these men, I expect. You owe them. We all owe them.

Click here to read the entire category WOT Heroes