For three decades, Martha Raditz has reported from the front lines of America's wars,

bearing witness to extraordinary acts of courage under unimaginable circumstances.

In her new book, The ABC News Chief Global Affairs correspondent turns her attention to the service members,

families, and everyday Americans whose resilience and sacrifice often go unnoticed.

I spoke with her recently about her book, The Hero Next Door.

Martha Radd, it's welcome to the News Hour.

Great to be with you. Thank you.

This book is filled with people who reject the label hero, even as they've shown extraordinary sacrifice, extraordinary courage.

Why do the people who sacrifice the most?

Why are they often the least willing to talk about it?

Well, I think you've hit on exactly what I found, and that is really the way to find a true

hero is the ones who don't think they are.

So I think they're always the ones who's like, it's the other guy, or it's the team, or it's somebody else.

I was just there doing what everybody would do, and I'm not sure everybody would do what they do.

There's a striking moment early in this book when an elderly Korean war veteran.

He mistakes Sal Janta for this

ordinary tourist in Normandy only to discover he's a Medal of Honor recipient. The lesson becomes

that there's no sure way to spot a hero. Why was that story the right entry point into this book?

You know, it was an amazing day for me. We were in Normandy, and everybody

was in civilian clothes. All the military people I was with were in civilian clothes. It's called

an Army Staff Ride. The Army historian goes with you to explain these incredible battles.

And it's sunset, and we're at the American Cemetery, which is so solemn anyway.

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