Capt. John Morrison Birch: Capt. John Morrison Birch, who spent World War II working behind enemy lines in China on behalf of the Office of Strategic Services, is considered by many to be the first casualty of the Cold War.

1st Lt. Michael Blassie: For years, a body lay in the Tomb of the Unknowns, representing all of the unidentified American dead of the Vietnam War. But his family's persistence and DNA analysis finally led to his identification.

Col. Guion S. Bluford Jr.: After flying combat missions for the Air Force over Vietnam, he soared on to get his Ph.D. and to become the first black American in space.

Capt. Gregory M. Cindrich: Capt. Gregory M. Cindrich was proud of his work as an Air Force pilot, and "especially proud of several humanitarian missions," according to a classmate.

Col. Michael Collins: Air Force Col. Michael Collins made his mark as Apollo 11's Command Module Pilot in 1969.

Gen. James H. Doolittle: "His life intersected with many of the most critical moments in the history of aviation and airpower," wrote C.V. Glines, who assisted Gen. James H. Doolittle in writing his memoirs, "I Could Never Be So Lucky Again."

Col. Samuel Nelson Drew: Col. Samuel Nelson Drew was working toward a diplomatic settlement to the Bosnian conflict when a car accident took his life and he became the first U.S. casualty of that conflict.

Maj. Reuben Fleet: Given 15 days to recruit, train, and launch an airmail service in the U.S., Army Maj. Reuben Fleet of the U.S. Air Service had his doubts.

Col. Gail Halvorsen: While the pilots of the Berlin Airlift labored to keep the beleaguered city's residents supplied with food and coal, the Air Force's "Candy Bomber" fed children's hopes with regular drops of candy and gum.

Maj. Gen. Jeanne Holm: She joined the military in July 1942 and didn't retire until three decades later, after becoming the first woman to reach the rank of two-star.