Betrayed Valor

A Veteran’s Story of Service, Sacrifices, and Systemic Neglect

Non-Fiction - Memoir
Kindle Edition
Reviewed on 03/04/2026
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Frank Mutuma for Readers' Favorite

In Betrayed Valor, Dr. Sammie L. Young tells his life story. He was born in Columbus, Mississippi. His mother, a single parent of seven children, taught her children the importance of work, faith, and responsibility. Sammie absorbed this from early on and helped keep his other siblings in line. Sammie joins the Navy using the delayed entry program, where he also shows exemplary military skills. He is also in the service when the military is called to serve in the Iraq War. Later, when he leaves the army, Sammie feels abandoned by the same system that should have helped him transition into civilian life. When working with the Veterans Affairs Department, he faces frustrations that should not fall on someone who has dedicated his life to his country.

Betrayed Valor: A Veteran’s Story of Service, Sacrifices, and Systemic Neglect by Dr. Sammie L. Young doesn’t just talk about his life story. It highlights the challenges that veterans face after serving their country with honor and dedication. This thought-provoking work also got me thinking about the importance of putting in place systems to help our servicemen feel appreciated and transition to civilian life. The message of how they can serve in civilian life without compromising their principles will also resonate with many readers. This work will also motivate readers on many moral issues and not to give up when faced with various changes. The author also ensured that the language used was easy to understand, which helped to make the work accessible to all readers. I look forward to reading more about Sammie's life in the Navy.