The Medal of Honor is the military's highest and most prestigious decoration and is awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces who "distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty."
During World War II, no U.S. unit would produce more Medal of Honor recipients than the Army's Third Infantry Division, and my guest profiles four of those recipients — Maurice Britt, Michael Daly, Keith Ware, and the famous Audie Murphy — in his new book Against All Odds: A True Story of Ultimate Courage and Survival in World War II. Today on the show, Alex explains how the prodigiousness of the Third Infantry Division was due to effective leadership, and the sheer fact that they were in combat so long, serving from the very beginning of the war in Europe to its very end. We then get into the stories of Britt, Daly, Ware, and Murphy, unpacking their varied backgrounds, how they earned their Medals of Honor — and many more decorations besides — and what their lives were like after the war. We end our conversation with what Alex has personally taken away from the stories of these brave men.
Resources Related to the PodcastListen to the episode on a separate page.
Download this episode.
Subscribe to the podcast in the media player of your choice.
Listen ad-free on Stitcher Premium; get a free month when you use code "manliness" at checkout.
Grappling With Life's "Wild Problems"
How to Read Minds and Detect Deception
The Bicycle as Freedom and Flight
The Groundhog Day Roadmap for Changing Your Life
Where You Should Live When You Could Live Anywhere
From Novice to Advanced — The Weightlifter's Journey
Tactics and Mindset Shifts for Making the Most of Life
Lonesome Dove and Life's Journey Through Uncertainty
Future-Proof Your Body by Practicing Good Posture
Developing the Warrior Within
Physical Benchmarks Every Man Should Meet, At Every Age [REBROADCAST]
Routines Are Overrated
Escape the Safety Trap
What Made JFK So Compelling?
The Philosophy of Self-Improvement
Life Lessons From the World's Greatest Negotiator
Building a Second Brain
What It's Like to Spend a Year in Space
How to Make a Good Argument
The Fascinating Life of America's Forgotten Founding Father
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West