we get his story tonight from our pentagon correspondent jim miklazewski. >> reporter: army specialist kyle white on a rugged mountain pass in eastern afghanistan, moments before his world exploded in what he calls the worst day of his life. >> it just seemed like the entire valley was there. >> reporter: white's platoon became under heavy fire in an enemy ambush. with no place to take cover, white, himself, was severely injured and feared the worst. >> i remember thinking we're not going to make it through this pun u one. >> reporter: this specialist was seriously wounded. white ran through a barrage of fire to save him. >> came saved my life. >> reporter: who other soldiers were injured. white repeatedly raced through enemy fire to save them. >> you request see the rocks around him, you see sparks fly out. >> reporter: about the third or fourth time, did you ever even think i can't go out there again? >> i told myself at the beginning of the ambush i'm going to die. if it's going to happen, it's a matter of when. why not do some good and help my guys out until it happens. >> reporter

jim miklazewski has more. >> reporter: the latest scandal comes out of the va hospital in phoenix, whereas many as 40 veterans reportedly died while waiting for medical treatment. >> i am angry. >> reporter: the secretary, a veteran, himself, told nbc news he was surprised by the allegation but promises a full investigation. >> are you willing as a secretary of veterans affairs to accept full responsibility? >> i am. i asked the inspector general, independent inspector general of the philipines to conduct a detailed, complete, thorough investigation. >> reporter: the american region and some in congress demand he resign, but he brushed it off. will you resign? >> i would say i serve with the pleasure the president. >> reporter: it's alleged that in an effort to improve their performance, hospital administrators buried the veteran's medical appointments in a secret list. then as investigators closed in, oermded the files destroyed. the veterans of america claims the va today lacks leadership, accountability and courage. >> and it really cuts to the core of our country's confidence in the