The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the president on behalf of congress on members of the armed forces who distinguish themselves through “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States” (xvii). Often it is erroneously referred to as the “Congressional Medal of Honor.” More than half of the more than 3,400 medals have been awarded posthumously. One woman has won: Dr. Mary Walker, a surgeon in the Civil War, who was awarded the nation's highest honor by President Andrew Johnson. Thomas Custer, who died alongside his brother at the Little Big Horn, won two Medals during the Civil War. Eighteen others are double awardees. Recipients are titled to a pension above and beyond any other military benefit, more than $1,100 per month as of 2011. Six medals have been awarded for gallantry during the Afghanistan war.

In this new edition by ABC-CLIO, the biographies of awardees are full of facts and engaging narrative. Edited by James H. Willbanks, General of the Army, George C. Marshall Chair of Military History and director of the Department of Military History at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, America's Heroes is unique in that it is one of the few true reference sources in the field. As such, it includes features expected in a reference encyclopedia: a general bibliography, a list of contributors, sidebars, photographs, tables, a general index, and appendixes. The biographies are arranged alphabetically and are selected for inclusion with the intent of providing a wide diversity of ethnic and cultural backgrounds and branches of service. Articles are written by a group of recognized scholars in the field, and the stories are often spellbinding. Each biography ends with a bibliography for further reading, and many of the narratives are accompanied by high-quality portraits of the subject.

This aspect of military history is a crowded field with dozens of books having been written about Medal of Honor recipients. Thus, several recent and noteworthy publications will serve as terrific companion volumes. Peter Collier and Nick del Calzio's, Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty (Artisan, 2006) is an inspiring depiction of bravery and sacrifice filled with del Cazio's photographs. Uncommon Valor: The Medal of Honor and the Six Warriors Who Earned It in Afghanistan (St. Martens, 2010) is an in-depth look at the most recent Medal recipients. Schwarzkopf, Adams, and Smith's, Beyond Glory: Medal of Honor Heroes in Their Own Words (Norton, 2004) is a compelling work that includes twenty-three interviews depicting gripping first-person accounts of the circumstances surrounding the events that earned each recipient their Medal.

America's Heroes pays tribute to the members of America's armed forces who have demonstrated uncommon bravery and sacrifice in the face of great personal danger. Many have risked or sacrificed their lives to save others. They are indeed heroic, and their stories should be preserved in a format conducive for serious researchers, students, and interested readers. It is a great contribution to the field of military history that a comprehensive and unique reference encyclopedia is now available. This encyclopedia is a first-rate effort produced with durable materials that is attractive and will last for many years. As such, it is easy to highly recommend for all undergraduate libraries and public libraries serving interested readers.