The Association of the United States Army today announced the release of two new graphic novels, created by legendary comic book artists, in its series designed to pay tribute to Medal of Honor recipients.
"Medal of Honor: Audie Murphy" and "Medal of Honor: Sal Giunta" will be featured in a new book -- which includes two previously released graphic novels on Staff Sgt. Roy Benavidez and Sgt. Alvin York -- at AUSA's Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C., according to an AUSA press release.
The new books, and two previous titles, were produced by the same creative team of professional comic book veterans, according to the release. The script was written by Chuck Dixon, whose previous work includes The Punisher, Batman and G.I. Joe. Drawings. And the cover were done by Rick Magyar, an artist, penciller and inker who has worked on Avengers, Captain America and Guardians of the Galaxy, the release states.
Colors were done by Peter Pantazis who worked on Justice League, Superman and Wolverine and lettering was done by Troy Peteri, who worked on Spider-Man, Iron Man and X-Men.
The news comes on the same day that the White House announced that President Trump will award the Medal of Honor to Master Sgt. Matthew Williams, an active-duty Green Beret credited with risking his life to save team members during a joint U.S.-Afghan mission in 2008.
Related: Active-Duty Green Beret to Receive Medal of Honor for Afghanistan Rescue
The graphic novel on former Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta tells the story of the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War, according to the release.
Then Spec. Giunta, of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, was on patrol in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan in October 2007 when his platoon was ambushed by Taliban fighters.
"Braving rocket-propelled grenades and intense smalls arms fire, Giunta advanced on the enemy, prevented the capture of a fellow paratrooper and turned the tide of the battle," the release states.
In July 2017, Giunta presented his Medal of Honor to his fellow paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne.
The Murphy graphic novel chronicles the World War II service of the most highly decorated soldier in American history, according to the release. Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor for single-handedly holding off six German tanks and waves of infantry for more than an hour during a firefight in January 1945.
Murphy stopped only when he ran out of ammunition, then made his way back to his men and organized a successful counterattack, according to the release. Murphy was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
AUSA's first graphic novel was released last October and featured the story of York's heroic deeds in France as part of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive during World War I.The second graphic novel, on Benavidez, a Green Beret legend and Vietnam War veteran, was released in June.
"We are excited to share these stories with readers," Joseph Craig, director of AUSA's Book Program, said in the release. "It has been personally rewarding to learn more about these remarkable soldiers, and we have been fortunate to work with such a talented creative team to bring this history to life."
The graphic novels can be downloaded here and here.
-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.
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