Vietnam Heroes Get Their Due

A group of veterans whose courageous actions during the Vietnam War went unacknowledged for 39 years are finally being honored with a Presidential Unit Citation for saving the lives of dozens of soldiers, reports The New York Times.

The members of the Alpha Troop of the 11th Armored Cavalry are all in their late 50s and early 60s now, but the events of March 26, 1970 are still with them, even though, until this year, the Army had no record of the fierce battle on that day or their participation in it.

Alpha Troop, led by John Poindexter, rescued more than 70 soldiers from the North Vietnamese almost four decades ago. Although the numbers were never clearly recorded, about seven men died and 70 more were wounded in the bloody battle. 

Poindexter has spent the last six years trying to correct the historical oversight -- gathering anecdotal and photographic evidence of the rescue. He even self-published an account of the mission he had written 30 years ago. Thanks to his efforts, not only is the troop being commended by the Army for their "extraordinary heroism," but each of the 14 members are also each being awarded individual medals.

In the coming weeks the veterans hope President Obama himself will formally bestow the citation at a White House ceremony.

Click here to hear the story of what Poindexter has named "The Anonymous Battle" in the soldiers' own words.