Today we’re heading back to 1781, to a log tavern on the Great Wagon Road, halfway between Staunton and Lexington. It’s the story of a Virginia militiaman named David Steele, who was cut down at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse and left for dead. He survived. And he came home with the strangest war medal you’ll ever hear about.
A French general wrote about it. A British officer called it a lie. A future king of France came to see it with his own eyes.
And today, it’s sitting in a box in Charlottesville.
Let’s go find out why.