Corporal Tibor Rubin: Nominated for Medal of Honor 4 Times

An American Hero of Jewish-Hungarian Descent

When Tibor and his family were sent to Nazi death camps in WW2, only he survived. Liberated by American troops at age 13, he vowed to become an American and enlisted in the Army at age 21. Sent to Korea, he was discriminated against by his sergeant and given every hazardous job available. In one instance he was told to stay behind and provide cover fire for his troops against an huge invading force. Alone. He did so for 24 hours and killed high numbers of enemy soldiers with bags of grenades and machine gun fire. Finally escaping, he rejoined his company and manned a .30 cal machine gun to cover their retreat from another engagement after all the gunners had been killed. For 24 hours he mowed down enemy troops until he was severely wounded and captured by the Chinese. Becoming a POW in China, he stole food, medicine and helped aid wounded troops saving an estimated 40 men while himself a prisoner. His life in the Nazi death camps had taught him how to steal and survive imprisonment. He risked death on a daily basis for his escapes and theft. The Chinese offered to free him (because he was Hungarian in background) but he refused, boasting he was American now. Discrimination caused his bravery to be unnoticed and ignored for decades after his military service but in 2005 was awarded the Medal of Honor for his deeds.

I wonder sometimes how many surrounding us are unknown heroes whose deeds should be legend and movie material. Valor is in you. Set it free.