Florida Valor: The Medal of Honor and the Sunshine State

From the Civil War to Iraq and Afghanistan, tens of millions of America's sons and daughters have worn a warrior's uniform, yet fewer than 3,500 have been recognized for "valor and intrepidity." Every state in the Union is formally accredited with at least one Medal of Honor recipient--America's highest award for bravery in combat. Florida Valor is a history that recognizes the military achievements and social events that played out in the lives of certain soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen before, during, or after their military service. In addition to the formal citations, Florida Valor reveals connections that might encourage the discovery of new relationships by readers. For example, few realize the supply of safe drinking water for Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Rider cruise to Cuba was protected in St. Petersburg by the "most injured soldier" of the Civil War--both men with a Florida connection and destine to be honored. Florida Valor is also a story of an exclusive club, whose living membership might one day reach zero, marking a time when society succeeds in ending war.