Active Ambassadors

Candi Spitz is the director of development and community relations for the nonprofit 211 Palm Beach and Treasure Coast, an agency that provides such extremely valuable community services as crisis intervention, suicide prevention, developmental screenings, special-needs advocacy, elder crisis, veteran crisis, first-responder crisis and assistance to the financially disadvantaged.

She is also the host of WPTV NewsChannel 5’s  segment “Take 5: Now You Know.” and a special-needs travel blogger for Discover the Palm Beaches. She is the former national spokesperson for Autism Speaks, she spent years as a special-needs advocate for the Palm Beach County Court System, and she has served as an autism trainer for Palm Beach County law-enforcement and rescue workers.

Most importantly, Spitz is the mother of identical twin sons, Brendan and Jaden, who both were diagnosed with autism in 2009. She knows firsthand the struggles and concerns that families face each day as they navigate the maze of life with special needs and is passionate about helping families find the help they so desperately need.

Spitz was recognized as a Project Lifesaver International ambassador in 2012 and was appointed as the director of ambassador relations in 2021. She also took on the role of public relations and social/media-relations coordinator for Project Lifesaver International in 2022.

Year Recognized: 2012

Haley Moss was diagnosed with autism at age 3 and made international headlines for becoming the first documented openly autistic attorney admitted to The Florida Bar. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2015 with bachelor’s degrees in psychology and criminology and received her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 2018.

Following her admission to the bar, Moss learned that fewer than one percent of lawyers reported having a disability. When Moss was an associate attorney practicing in health care and international law, she realized her impact in the field of inclusion as a sought-out public speaker across the nation. To help revolutionize the practice of law, she founded her own company to lead the charge of working with businesses and law firms to hire and retain autistic and neurodiverse talent.

Haley Moss is the author of “Middle School: The Stuff Nobody Tells You About” and “A Freshman Survival Guide for College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Stuff Nobody Tells You About.” She also illustrated and contributed to the anthology “What Every Autistic Girl Wishes Her Parents Knew.” Her writing about autism, neurodiversity and disability has appeared in such publications as The Washington Post, ABA Journal, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, FastCompany, and others. Moss also co-hosts the podcast “Spectrumly Speaking,” which is dedicated to women on the autism spectrum. In addition, she has forthcoming scholarship on lawyers with disabilities, disability’s intersection with standardized testing, as well as on crimes against disabled children.

Moss has been featured in major media such as the “Today” show, Forbes, CNN, USA Today, Yahoo! and People, to name a few. She currently serves on the constituency board for the University of Miami – Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities and the board of directors for Different Brains, is the chair of the Unicorn Children’s Foundation junior board and is a co-chair of the Miami-Dade chapter of Florida Association for Women Lawyers’ diversity committee.

“Project Lifesaver is privileged to have Haley serving as one of our ambassadors,” Gene Saunders, founder and CEO of Project Lifesaver International, stated. “Both Haley and her parents have demonstrated great character by overcoming and flourishing in spite of the many obstacles and challenges they faced. They also clearly understand the importance of educating the community and caregivers of individuals who have cognitive disorders about the safety issues that exists for their loved ones who wander.”

Learn more about Haley Moss at www.haleymoss.com.

Year Recognized: 2011

Max Gail, after spending the majority of his formative years trying to “make sense” of the world around him, began acting at the age of 27 in a number of small supporting roles in television shows and movies. He explains that he had never really thought about being a celebrity, but that notion flew out the door after gaining notoriety while portraying what is likely known to be his most notorious role: Detective “Wojo” Wojciehowicz on ABC’s hit sitcom, Barney Miller. Many believe that, unlike most other cop shows of its time, the hit-running show portrayed a more factual representation of community policing with just enough wit and comedic relief. Max portrayed the fun-loving “Wojo” for 8 seasons until the show went off the air in 1982.

Unsurprisingly, given the generation in which he was raised, he has always had a passion for and interest in environmental and social activism, for which he believes influenced much of his on-screen and on-stage work. Within a few short years after the conclusion of Barney Miller, Max decided to step back from his acting career to care for his young daughter after his wife lost her battle with cancer. After later remarrying and beginning to grow his family with more children, he decided it was time to return more prominently to his acting career. That decision was short-lived though, as he quickly noticed a shift that occurred in the industry during his absence, and decided that that was no longer his path. Again, deciding to take a step back from acting, and instead exploring his interest in activism; returning to his roots which were heavily influenced by world activist movements.

During this time, he founded LAP – Local Access Places (www.lap.org). The acronym itself took on many different meanings and metaphors, but the philosophy of the organization, stewed deep in the heart of his passion for social activism, was that being one as a community and society is stronger than the concept of individualism. The goal of the organization was to promote dialogue, through collaboration and integration, that brings people together because while each individual/group/culture is their own, they are more the same than one may think. Max still profoundly believes in this philosophy, and actively tries to spread this belief throughout communities, only now, instead of speaking on the topic during seminars, he has returned to acting, taking on roles that help create a dialogue for a number of issues.

Most recently, Max has taken on the award-winning role of Mike Corbin, the father of the long-term protagonist, Sonny Corinthos on ABC’s General Hospital. For more than 55 years, the soap opera has been taking its viewers on a rollercoaster of stories and plot twists, some a bit more suited for the drama while others depict real-life social problems and solutions, as is the case with Gail’s depiction of an individual succumbing to Alzheimer’s disease. With the significant and growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, this storyline and the portrayal of these characters have resonated with so many people who are also going through the same or at least similar struggles each day.

“Activism has always been heavily prominent throughout my life – something I have always been truly passionate about, and I am proud to be able to continue on this journey as a Project Lifesaver Ambassador, to open communications about the dangers of wandering.”

Year Recognized: 2019

Dale Neuburger is Director of Burson Cohn & Wolfe Sports Practice – North America, a regional office of the international sports consultancy based in Lausanne, the “Olympic Capital.” From 2005 to 2018, the company was known as TSE Consulting, before its acquisition by WPP Group, one of the world’s leading communications companies. Since 2005, he has provided management expertise to international sports organizations, National Governing Bodies, and nonprofit organizations, primarily in strategic planning, event hosting, program evaluation, and business performance planning. Additionally, he has helped city governments and sports commissions to develop sport tourism plans, event hosting strategies, and international event development programs for cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Prior to joining TSE, Dale was President/CEO of Indiana Sports Corporation (ISC) from 1993 to 2005; Director of Administration/Chief Operating Officer for USA Track & Field from 1991 to 1993; and, Assistant Athletic Director of Indiana University from 1982 to 1991, managing three world-class facilities on the Indianapolis campus: the IU Natatorium, IU Track Stadium, and the Indianapolis Tennis Center, each of which staged national and international events annually. Dale has a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics from Princeton University, and holds two Masters degrees from Indiana University, in philanthropic studies and in public administration. On two occasions, he has been awarded the state’s highest award for distinguished service, the “Sagamore of the Wabash,” by Indiana Governors Frank O’Bannon and Joseph Kernan.

Dale was a member of the Board of Directors of the United States Olympic Committee from 1995 to 2002, and a member of its Executive Committee from 1996 to 2000, serving as chairman of the National Governing Bodies (NGB) Council. In 2004, Dale was Deputy Chef de Mission of the 700-member United States delegation which won 104 medals at the Athens Olympic Games. Dale has served in a variety of volunteer leadership roles within the aquatic sports, including as President of United States Aquatic Sports; President of USA Swimming; and, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. He was a Board member of USA Swimming for 28 years and the USA Swimming Foundation for six years.

Dale is currently in his fifth consecutive term as Vice President of FINA, beginning his tenure at the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000. He is Chairman of the FINA Development Commission and Chairman of the FINA Technical Swimming Commission, serving as the Technical Delegate/Competition Director for the swimming competition in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympic Games, as well as 2020/21 Tokyo Olympics. In his role with Indiana Sports Corporation, Dale represented Indianapolis in attracting and staging more than 200 major athletic events during his tenure. He played a leadership role in events such as the National Sports Festival; Pan American Games; world championships in rowing, gymnastics, track & field, swimming, and basketball; Olympic Trials in three aquatic sports, wrestling, track & field and rowing; and, national championships in six different sports.

In 2015, Dale was elected as President of UANA, the continental association for aquatics, and served in this role until the Pan American Games in Lima (PER) in 2019. Additionally, he was elected as the First Vice President and member of the Executive Committee of ACODEPA, the council of continental organizations that oversees sport competition in the Pan American Games. Dale led and managed the $50 million fundraising effort to attract and relocate the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Federation of State High School Associations to Indianapolis. For his service to the NCAA, he was presented with the prestigious “Flying Wedge Award” in 2000.

Year Recognized: 2020

Ronald Everest Yeaw, Junior serves as the Deputy for the Future Requirements and Emerging Technology (FRET) cell within the Joint Operational Medicine Information Systems (JOMIS) Program Management Office (PMO). The JOMIS PMO provides health information technology capabilities to meet existing and emerging operational medicine requirements. Ron Jr’s role is to identify promising new technology capable of helping our deployed medics and corpsman and getting it in their hands. His expertise in this area, specifically
as it relates to the use of medical drones to find and care for patients, provides him with unique technical qualifications, and further enhances his role as a Project Lifesaver Ambassador.   He formerly served as the Deputy Director for the Digital Health Innovation Center (DHIC) at the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command’s (USAMRMD) Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Additionally, Ron serves as the Virtual Health Task Area Capability Manager Project Officer for the Army Research Portfolio.

He is a 1997 graduate of James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Science and Technology, a degree focusing on the ethical and effective use of technology to support the application of science across society. Mr. Yeaw has used this degree as a foundation to support medical technology across the Defense Department in such diverse roles as electronic health record (EHR) programmer, EHR trainer, Clinical Workflow Analysts, and Process Improvement Project Manager. Mr. Yeaw has over 24 years of experience serving military medicine as both a civil servant and contractor.

Ron Jr.’s initial work after college was in supporting the first worldwide EHR program for the Military (through Northrop Grumman). It was during these initial employments that Mr. Yeaw first developed his passion for the use of medical technology to support the injured and at risk warriors and to help save wounded soldiers lives and bring them safely home.

Prior being tapped to be the DHIC Deputy Director, Ron served as the Clinical Workflow Analyst lead for the US Army’s Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC), in Kaiserslautern, Germany. LRMC is the only forward-stationed medical center for U.S. & Coalition forces, Department of State personnel, and repatriated U.S. citizens. LRMC is the largest U.S. hospital outside the United States where it serves as the sole military medical center for more than 205,000 beneficiaries throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. 100% of all combat wounded soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines deployed within the Middle East and Africa are treated and stabilized at LRMC before being flown to the United States. It was during this assignment that Mr. Yeaw was honored with the US Army Superior Civilian Service Award by the European Regional Medical Command Commanding Officer, BG Jeffrey Clark in 2014. This is the 3rd highest citation possible for a civilian in the Army.

As the current DHIC Deputy Director for TATRC, Mr. Yeaw supports the mobile health initiatives and research focused on emerging mobile technologies to enhance the quality of life for our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines. The DHIC team is comprised of clinical, technical and administrative staff members, who together form an innovation center of excellence for evaluating mobile health technologies and networks by providing subject matter expertise and a unique laboratory environment for intramural and extramural research activities in support of service members, beneficiaries, patients and Role 1 (first responders) through Role 4 (definitive health care facilities) of the military healthcare system prior to enterprise wide deployment. Mr Yeaw was just recently honored with the US Army Civilian Commendation Award, by USAMRMD Commanding General Michael Talley. This is the 5th highest citation possible for a civilian in the Army.

He is greatly honored to be a Project Lifesaver International Ambassador and is looking forward to fulfilling his related responsibilities. Mr. Yeaw is the proud parent of two young daughters, Kara and Anna.

Year Recognized: 2021

The highest-ranking firefighter to survive the World Trade Center collapse and the last fireman to escape the devastation, FDNY battalion commander Richard “Pitch” Picciotto was on a stairwell between the sixth and seventh floors of the North Tower when it collapsed on September 11, 2001. His is the harrowing true story of an American hero, a man who thought nothing of himself and gave nearly everything for others during one of out nation’s darkest hours.

On the morning of September 11, Picciotto answered the call heard around the world. In minutes, he was at ground zero of the worst terrorist attack on American soil, acting boldly to save innocent lives as the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center began to burn – and then to buckle. Already a veteran to terrorist attacks, Picciotto was present to fight a similar battle at the World Trade Center Bombing in 1993. Again inside the North Tower, where he found himself years earlier, burdened by the eerie sense of familiarity, he focused his concentration on the rescue efforts at hand. But it was there in the smoky stairwells where he heard and felt the South Tower collapse. He then made the call for firemen and rescue workers to evacuate, while he stayed behind with a skeleton team of men to assist a group of disabled and infirm civilians in their struggle to evacuate the inferno. And it was there in the rubble of the North Tower where Picciotto found himself buried – for more than four hours after the building’s collapse.

Having discovered that members of his team and a 59-year-old grandmother also were alive nearby, he and his men used their radios to send out Mayday calls until making contact with a firefighter on the ground and a search party was dispatched. When the light finally appeared about four stories above, he climbed upwards, reached the top, and saw the “unfathomable, mind-boggling destruction”. And still then, it was not until after he organized the rescue of the others that he walked across the rubble to safety.

Chief Picciotto is also a former New York City police officer , and has served as a fire marshal, an arson investigator, a lieutenant, and a captain, prior to becoming Chief in 1992. He is a 28-year veteran on the FDNY, and for the past nine years. he has presided over the department’s Battalion 11, covering Manhattan’s Upper West Side. He is the recipient of departmental awards and commendations for his bravery and meritorious service.

Year Recognized: 2021

Noah Wyle is an American film, television and theatre actor well-known for his roles as Dr. John Carter in “ER,” for which he
was nominated five times for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor.

Wyle has since gone on to star in
two TNT series, “Falling Skies” and “The Librarians,” and has been filming the second season of “Leverage: Redemption” for Amazon. He is also known for his role as Corporal Jeffrey Barnes in “A Few Good Men” and Steve Jobs in “Pirates of Silicon Valley.”

Learn more at IMDb.

Year Recognized: 2022

Jason Redman is a retired Navy SEAL and NY Times best-selling author of “The Trident” and “Overcome.”

Redman uses his 21-year Navy SEAL career to relate how the same mindset he practiced for decades to lead, build elite teams and deal with the highest levels of adversity can transform your life and business. He teaches how his Overcome Mindset helped him rise above a leadership failure, vicious enemy ambush, life-changing injuries and even a debilitating business crisis.

Redman’s incredible story, positive message and vibrant energy make him a highly in-demand speaker both nationally and internationally.

Learn more at www.jasonredman.com.

Year Recognized: 2022

From festivals to black-tie events, Dave Bray USA delivers a full spectrum of energy and emotion. As a United States Navy veteran and national recording artist, Dave Bray considers his music to be a “continuation of service” and has dedicated much of his career to honoring our veterans, active-duty military, fire, police and first responders. He served as an FMF corpsman for the USMC sniper teams and following his service went on to lead the patriotic rock band Madison Rising to success with his rock rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Bray’s solo career took off with his album “Music On A Mission,” which debuted at #6 on the iTunes rock charts. Since then he’s charted numerous singles including “Last Call,” a tribute to fallen police, and his music videos have been viewed millions of times. Bray’s 2021 album, “Too Far Gone,” released at #1 on the iTunes charts with the help of his dedicated supporters and garnered mass attention from God-fearing, freedom-loving, flag-waving patriots nationwide.

Dave Bray USA is available as a solo acoustic act or as a full rock/country band.

Scan for music, videos and tour dates:

“Stay the course… finish the fight… and never surrender!” – Dave Bray, Dave Bray USA 

Year Recognized: 2022

Sgt. Michael Sugrue, retired, Walnut Creek (Calif.) Police Department, and former Air Force security forces captain, is a #1 international best-selling author, national speaker and dedicated advocate for awareness, prevention, education and training regarding post traumatic stress injury (PTSI) and first-responder suicide.

Sugrue began his law-enforcement career in the United States Air Force as a security forces officer in 1998. In that position, he specialized in law enforcement, global force protection, anti-terrorism, nuclear security, foreign air field assessments and air base ground defense. He served throughout the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and South America in a variety of assignments, including: flight leader, flight commander, senior watch officer, chief of command post and chief of security forces. 

Immediately following the Air Force, Sugrue joined the Walnut Creek PD, where he again served in a variety of assignments, including: patrol officer, driver training instructor (EVOC), field training officer (FTO), SIU detective, undercover CA DOJ Narcotic Task Force agent (Contra Costa County), public information officer (PIO) and patrol sergeant.

Today Sugrue is coauthor of the #1 international best-selling book “Relentless Courage: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma” and a sought-after speaker on topics related to PTSI, suicide awareness and more.

Learn more about Michael Sugrue at LinkedIn.

Find “Relentless Courage” on Amazon.

 

Year Recognized: 2023

Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, is an occupational therapist with more than 40 years of rich and varied clinical and academic experience.

Her experiences led her to the development of the GEMS® State Model, for understanding the progression of dementia, and the Positive Approach® training strategies. Her company, Positive Approach to Care® (PAC), provides online and in-person education and products to support people living with brain change.

Snow presents from her deep wells of topical knowledge, compassion and experience with extraordinary expertise and humor to audiences throughout the world.

Learn more at www.teepasnow.com

Year Recognized: 2023

Retired Navy SEAL (ST-1, ST-2 ST-6), former internationally renowned endurance athlete, leader in the world of adventure-sports production,  motivational trainer and speaker, New York Times Best-Selling Author and the host of “Surviving Mann” broadcast on the Pursuit channel. Nominated by the Veterans Business Bureau as Entrepreneur of the Year.

Mann is often a guest on TV, radio and blog sites discussing current events, military issues and has written over 20 books.

Don has changed countless lives by sharing his unique “Reaching Beyond Boundaries” philosophy and has been driven for decades in helping others achieve greater goals.

He received a Master’s in Management from Troy State University, in Troy, AL, a B.S. in International Relations & Criminal Justice, from Florida State University, in Tallahassee, FL, and a B.S. in Liberal Science, from State University of New York. He lives outside of Charlottesville, Va.

Year Recognized: 2023

After graduating from Indian River High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, in 1984, Billy Banks attended Lenoir Community College on a baseball scholarship. He served at the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office from October 1987 to February 1991 and has since worked as a longshoreman. All the while, he has embraced the Project Lifesaver cause and mission in mind and heart.

Banks and his lovely wife, Laura, have been married for 12 years and currently reside in Norfolk, Virginia.

Year Recognized: 2024

John A. Gauvreau, former financial fiduciary manager with Sunshine Biscuits and compliance manager for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, is a retired C.P.A. still doing personal
and small-business tax returns. Having also volunteered for various police and fire departments for decades, he now extends his service to Project Lifesaver International as an official ambassador.

Gauvreau and his wife, Lana, now reside in Florida. They are avid art collectors and enjoy traveling. The couple has two daughters, a granddaughter and twin autistic great-grandsons.

Year Recognized: 2024

Peter A. LaPorta is a former leader at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, 11-time international best-selling author of fiction and nonfiction titles, and president of LaPorta Enterprises.

With more than 40 years leading the top companies of the world, LaPorta has been dubbed the Guru of Guest Service and Master of Motivation by media worldwide. He was named by CXO Magazine to be The Most Influential Motivational Speaker of 2024, and in ’24, he was named The Most Impactful Business ICON in America by Passionate Magazine. His first book, “Ignite the Passion,” was named by Amazon.com to be one of the top 20 motivational leadership books in print.

LaPorta has also been featured in Business Week Magazine, Newsweek, The Daily Buzz Show and numerous other media outlets in print, digital, radio and television formats. He is the 2013, 2015 and 2021 recipient of Best of Kissimmee Award for his seminars, ultimately securing the top speaker award in the top convention and vacation destination in the world.

Peter LaPorta travels the globe motivating businesses, organizations and employees. His stories from the house of mouse and the amazing Universal Studios excite and entertain as he shares the tools needed to achieve such excellence. His words have motivated thousands to new heights. And with forthcoming novels “Seven Days of Destiny” and “Terror Kingdom” set to add to his literary works in December 2024 and April ’25, respectively, his entertainment dynasty continues to grow.

For more information about Peter LaPorta and his incredible journey, visit www.laportaenterprises.com.

Year Recognized: 2024

John Newhart comes (well, technically, returns) to Project Lifesaver following a long career as what many would call “a servant leader,” having dedicated his life to protecting others in the U.S. Army and Chesapeake, Virginia, police and sheriff’s departments.

During his 42 years as sheriff (1970 – 2012), Newhart played an integral and supportive role in the establishment of Project Lifesaver.

We are honored and proud to have inducted this accomplished and well-loved public servant to our ambassador program in our 25th-anniversary year, bringing mutual cause, commitment and appreciation full circle.

Year Recognized: 2024

A native of Media, Pennsylvania, Ron graduated from Penncrest High School in 1961. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors in Economics from Grove City College in northwest Pennsylvania in1965. His 50 year professional career is highlighted by his 30 years of service in the Navy where he completed 3 operational platoon combat tours to the Republic of Vietnam with SEAL Team TWO. He subsequently filled such positions as Chief of Staff of the Joint Special Operations Command in Fort Bragg, NC and Commanding Officer of both Underwater Demolition Team TWENTY ONE and SEAL Team SIX, the world’s premier commando force that killed Osama bin Laden and rescued Captain Phillips from the Somali pirates in the Maersk Alabama lifeboat. He served two tours in the Pentagon on the Special Operations staffs of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He earned a Master’s Degree in National Security Affairs from the Navy Postgraduate School, attended the Navy War College, and was the president of his class at the National War College. Ron retired as a Captain in 1995 after having been awarded 45 medals and ribbons including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Navy Legion of Merit, 2 Defense and 3 Navy Meritorious Service Medals, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, 7 Vietnam Campaign Medals, 9 individual commendation medals with the Combat “V” for valor including 4 Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart for multiple fragmentation grenade wounds.

Following his Navy career, Ron served 7 years with the multi-million dollar Research Planning Corporation professional services firm in Falls Church, Virginia. His service included duty as a Program Manager, Director of the Marketing Department and Vice President of the Installations Operation Division. Following his relocation to Florida, Ron concluded his professional career in 2015 following 13 years with the G4S Professional Armed Security Corporation including service as the Site Security Manager for two upscale gated residential communities.

In 2012 Ron was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate of Penncrest High School and was inducted into the Rose Tree Media School District Hall of Fame. In 2017 Ron was presented with the Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Achievement Award by Grove City College.

He was recognized as a Project Lifesaver International Ambassador in 2017 and was appointed as the Director of Ambassador Relations in 2020. Ron lived with his wife Shelley in Port St. Lucie, Florida which enabled him to attend the organization’s headquarters weekly meetings. He was the proud father of twin children and 2 grandchildren.

Year Recognized: 2017

If Jack Jacobs wanted a challenge, he certainly had one in 1966. He had a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University, a wife and a daughter, and no money. He had been through ROTC, and his plan was to enter active duty to earn a regular paycheck, then attend law school when his three-year Army commitment was finished. He volunteered immediately for airborne duty. A year later, Lieutenant Jacobs was in Vietnam as a adviser to a Vietnamese infantry battalion in the Mekong Delta. He had wanted to deploy with his unit, the 82nd Airborne Division, and when he asked the Army why he had been chosen for the frustrating job of adviser, he was told it was simply because he had a college degree.

On March 9, 1968, Jacobs was with the lead companies off his South Vietnamese battalion as they searched for the Vietcong. Suddenly a large enemy force hidden in bunkers only 50 yards away opened fire with mortars, rifles and machine guns. With no place to hide, many South Vietnamese soldiers were killed or wounded in the first few seconds. A mortar round that landed just a few feet away sent shrapnel tearing through the top of Jacobs’ head. Most of the bones in his face were broken, and he could see out of only one eye. He tried calling in air strikes, but the intense enemy ground fire drove off the U. S. fighters. Shortly afterward, the lead company commander was badly wounded, and the South Vietnamese troops began to panic. Jacobs assessed the situation and realized that if someone didn’t act quickly, everyone would be killed. The words of Hillel, the great Jewish philosopher, jumped into his mind: If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?

He assumed control of the unit, ordering a withdrawal from the exposed position to a defensive perimeter. He dragged a wounded American sergeant riddled with chest and stomach wounds to safety, then returned to the fire-swept battlefield to rescue others. Each time he returned, he had to drive off the Vietcong; he single-handedly killed three and wounded many others. Despite from being weak from blood loss, he went back time and time again, bringing to safety thirteen fellow soldiers before he tried to take a brief rest – and discovered he couldn’t get up again. During the helicopter ride to the field hospital, he lost consciousness several times. Days later at another hospital, doctor’s pieced his skull and face together. Though he would undergo more than a dozen surgical operations, he never regained is senses of taste and smell.

Back in the United States, Jacobs was assigned to Fort Benning, where he became the commander of an Officer Candidate company. About a year after the action, he received an order to report to Washington, and on October 9, 1969, at a ceremony at the White House, President Richard Nixon awarded him the Medal of Honor. After completing graduate school at Rutgers University, where he earned an M.A. in international relations, Jacobs asked to return to Vietnam. The Army granted his request on the condition that he remain out of harm’s way. When he returned to Vietnam in July 1972, though, he immediately got himself assigned to the Vietnamese Airborne Division in the thick of fighting in Quand Tri. He walked away unscathed when the helicopter taking him to his unit was shot down, but he was subsequently wounded again.

Ultimately, he retired as a colonel after 20 years on active duty — quite a bit longer than the three years he had originally planned.

Year Recognized: 2010