Battling through gunfire, mortars and blood, Art Dawson’s unit took the top of Hill 281 in Korea. But the Chinese swarmed back, brutally striving to regain Arrowhead ridge.

A grenade slammed into Art’s face, but it didn’t go off until he threw it back on the enemy. Machine gun fire sprayed Art’s legs – seven bullets that would have torn his insides out had they hit a little higher.

Art shot back, killing the enemy soldier who shot him. But when he tried to stand, his world went dark and a whole night passed before Art’s fellow Americans found him, wounded and alone.

It took a year of surgery and therapy to put Art back on his feet, but he doesn’t regret one day of his military service. He’s one proud veteran.

All that happened 57 years ago, but Art’s still on the line, coming to the aid of young troops injured in Afghanistan or Iraq just 57 days ago. “I love helping other disabled veterans through the DAV,” he says. “I know what they’re going through. I’m still going through it.”