An inspiring portrait of the men and women who serve in America’s military, capturing their bravery, resilience, and extraordinary sacrifice, from Emmy Award–winning ABC News anchor Martha Raddatz. For more than twenty-five years, Martha Raddatz has reported from the front lines of America’s conflicts, witnessing firsthand the determination and grit of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who have fought in the years since September 11 attacks. What compels ordinary people to risk everything for others? How do they summon the courage to face unimaginable danger—or rebuild their lives after tragedy changes everything? The Hero Next Door presents a powerful collection of stories about servicemen and women whose courage rivals that of the Greatest Generation. Each portrait reveals remarkable character, perseverance, and purpose in the face of overwhelming hardship, showing how resilience can emerge even from the darkest moments. Meet Kevin Shaeffer, a naval officer inside the Pentagon on 9/11 whose experience that day inspired his relentless pursuit of justice against Osama bin Laden. Discover Mark Little, whose devastating injuries from an IED attack in Iraq led him to dedicate his life to helping fellow veterans recover and rebuild. Follow Josh Webster, who risked everything while suspended beneath enemy fire during a daring rescue mission in Afghanistan. Learn about neurosurgeon Rocco Armonda, whose groundbreaking work transformed the treatment of traumatic brain injuries during wartime. And meet aviators Danielle “Purple” Thiriot and Charles “Wingnut” Wickware, who found purpose and identity in the skies above the battlefield, alongside Derek Herrera, whose catastrophic injury became the beginning of an extraordinary new mission in life. Life can change in an instant, and none of us truly knows how we will respond until we are tested. That is where true heroism reveals itself—not in moments of glory, but in quiet acts of courage when nobody is watching. “Individually, their stories are deeply moving,” Raddatz writes. “Together, they reveal something even greater: a profound understanding of sacrifice, resilience, and what it means to live with purpose.”
