Col. Ethan Allen: Born on Jan. 21, 1738, this farmer-turned-soldier, famous as the leader of the "Green Mountain Boys," fought to bring the nation into being -- and his beloved Vermont into the nation.

Lt. j.g. Everett Alvarez Jr.: On Aug. 5, 1964, Lt. j.g. Everett Alvarez Jr. became the first pilot shot down during the Vietnam conflict and perhaps the longest-held American prisoner in any war.

Rear Adm. Richard Nott Antrim: Interned at Makassar during World War II, Antrim earned the respect of his Japanese captors when he stood up to them on behalf of a fellow prisoner of war.

John Armstrong: Despite Secretary of War John Armstrong's assurances to the contrary, British forces were able to invade Washington and burn the Capitol and the White House during the War of 1812.

Maj. Gen. Benedict Arnold: Everyone knows him as the great traitor of the Revolutionary War. But few people realize that Benedict Arnold's countrymen felt his betrayal so keenly because they had regarded him as a hero.

2nd Lt. Vernon Baker: After a segregated Army ignored the heroic acts of 2nd Lt. Vernon Baker during World War II, it finally recognized his achievements with the Medal of Honor over fifty years later.

Capt. Victor Baranski: His courage and fluency in languages made Baranski an ideal candidate for the dangerous OSS mission. His World War II assignment took the former Army mess sergeant behind enemy lines into Slovenia.

Col. Francis Channing Barlow: At the Battle of Antietam on Sept. 17., 1862, Col. Francis Channing Barlow had joint command of the 61st and 64th New York regiments; his forces repulsed a Confederate attack and in one maneuver took 300 prisoners.

Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone: The Marine Corps' "Manila John" led the U.S. forces who repelled hundreds of Japanese soldiers attacking Guadalcanal's Henderson Field. Later, amid homefront honors, Basilone fought to return to the fight.

Col. Charles Beckwith: Col. "Chargin' Charlie" Beckwith was a tough Army leader who left little to chance. But not even he could overcome the obstacles that stood between his elite commandos and the liberation of U.S. hostages in Iran.