Gen. George Casey, commander of Multi-National Forces-Iraq, congratulates U.S. Army Col. James H. Coffman Jr. after pinning him with the Distinguished Service Cross in front of a formation of Iraqi Special Police Commandos.

Coffman, 51, is a senior adviser to Iraqi Special Police Commandos with the Multi-National Security Transition Command–Iraq's Civilian Police Assistance Training Team . . . and led the Iraqi Special Police Commandos through a 5 �-hour battle against insurgents trying to overrun an Iraqi police station.

Photo by Sgt. Lorie Jewell

Read Col. James H. Coffman's heroic story

Machinist's Mate 3rd Class James Jones, a sailor assigned to USS Nashville (LPD 13), kisses his six-week-old son for the first time after returning to Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

Nashville, USS Nicholas (FFG 47) and USS Saipan (LHA 2) returned to Norfolk after completing a three-month surge deployment in support of the war on terror.

U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Laura A. Moore

LANDSTUHL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, Germany -- Airman 1st Class Cassandra Gillard removes an intravenous tube from Marine Corps Cpl. Tyler Einarson's arm. The 3rd Marine Division rifleman is recovering here from gunshots received to the chest and arm while on patrol in northeast Afghanistan in mid-August.

A joint team of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and civilians provide care for wounded troops at this medical center. Airman Gillard is a medical technician with the 435th Medical Squadron.

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Keith Reed)

LANDSTUHL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, Germany -- Marine Corps Cpl. Tyler Einarson holds a sign "Hi everyone. I'll be home soon." 

He is recovering here from gunshots received to the chest and arm while on patrol in northeast Afghanistan in mid-August.

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Keith Reed