Betrayed Valor: A Veteran’s Story of Service, Sacrifice & Systemic Neglect

Betrayed Valor: A Veteran's Story of Service, Sacrifice & Systemic Neglect is a powerful memoir of leadership, loyalty, and the hidden battles many veterans face after the uniform comes off. From commanding sailors at sea during wartime operations to navigating the halls of federal service, Dr. Sammie L. Young devoted his life to mission, country, and the creed of no man left behind. But when injury, disability, and bureaucratic indifference collided, he found himself fighting a new kind of war—one waged not with weapons, but with paperwork, policies, and silence. In this deeply personal account, Young chronicles his journey from respected Navy Chief to disabled veteran forced to confront a system that too often fails the very people who sacrificed for it. With honesty and courage, he exposes how good faith, dedication, and resilience can be met with retaliation, neglect, and institutional betrayal. More than a memoir, Betrayed Valor is a call to conscience. It shines a light on the human cost of systemic failure and gives voice to countless veterans whose stories remain unheard. Through moments of hardship and hope, Young reminds us that true valor does not end on the battlefield—it continues in the struggle for dignity, justice, and recognition. This is a story for veterans, families, leaders, and anyone who believes that service should be honored not just in words, but in action.