CHAPTER 1: CALL TO ARMS
9 covered by a local newspaper: Hilary Bentman, “Wrestling with Life’s Lessons,” Intelligencer, December 30, 2004.
23 potential terrorist target: Childs Walker, “Sept. 11 Changed Destiny for Navy Class of 2002,” Baltimore Sun, September 9, 2011.
CHAPTER 2: EARN IT
30 CBS Sports that day, later said: From Philadelphia to Fallujah (documentary, Sweet Prince Productions, 2012).
38 486 US service members died: icasualties.org.
39 fellow Naval Academy graduates: Donna Miles, Myers Girds Naval Academy Grads for Role in Terror War, report from American Forces Press Service, US Department of Defense, May 28, 2004.
41 championship game in NCAA history: Kevin Van Valkenburg, “Syracuse Sinks Navy Bid,” Baltimore Sun, June 1, 2004.
42 John Desko admitted: Frank Litsky, “Navy Has Sentiment on Its Side; Syracuse Has History,” New York Times, May 31, 2004.
CHAPTER 5: NO GREATER HONOR
87 fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks: Thomas E. Ricks, “Situation Called Dire in West Iraq,” Washington Post, September 11, 2006.
110 the future vice president said: NBC News, Meet the Press, April 29, 2007, http://www.today.com/id/18381961/ns/meet_the_press/t/mtp-transcript-april/#.UlcQUtLNndY.
CHAPTER 12: MISSION 59
215 Petty Officer First Class Vic Nolan: The names of certain US Navy SEALs have been changed to protect operational security.
CHAPTER 14: WARRIORS FOR FREEDOM
251 died in Afghanistan that month: icasualties.org.
EPILOGUE: MAGGIE AND HONOR’S PLEDGE
257 op-ed piece published by the San Diego Union-Tribune: Amy Looney, “Warrior’s Compassion Continues to Inspire,” San Diego Union-Tribune, September 19, 2012.