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As we have all branches represented here, I was interested to learn each view on who their major icon/hero is and why. I am hoping to learn something interesting and hopefully spread a little knowledge from my sister services on the forum as well.
Army
Air Force
Marine Corps
Navy
Coast Guard
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 61
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I get to cheat since I am a civilian now SFC Robert Trodahl I never turn down an opportunity to share my love of the Four Chaplains. They have a memorial chapel at Fort Lewis, WA (JBLM ). Lord, I pray to at least be adequate when my time comes. RESPECT!!!
http://www.army.mil/article/34090/Chaplain_Corps_History__The_Four_Chaplains/
http://www.army.mil/article/34090/Chaplain_Corps_History__The_Four_Chaplains/
Chaplain Corps History: The Four Chaplains
When the U.S. Army Transport Dorchester was struck by a German submarine, Feb. 3, 1943, four Army chaplains spread out among the Soldiers, calming the frightened, tending the wounded and guiding the disoriented toward safety.
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Gen colen Powell. He was in charge when i started my career years ago. In my humble opinion, the unattainable goal of every leader should be emulation of this man. Highly intelligent, and an unswavering loyalty to the military. Resigned in protest when a directive was issued by the president he felt would cause harm to the military. As sec, he laid out 13 points to the president as to why we should not invade iraq. When we did it anyway, he made it happen. And all that stuff he said would happen? Yup, ot happened.
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Sgt. Alvin York, as far as branch goes. A simple country guy who did what he had to when the time came. I rate him along side of John Paul Jones for my top United States military heroes.
Take the "branch" qualifier out of the equation and my most revered military hero, though he never wanted that role, was Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce (more properly Nimíipuu) Native American tribe.
I don't really have a reason for my choices, other than each did as his heart compelled him to do under the circumstances he found himself in and did so honorably.
Take the "branch" qualifier out of the equation and my most revered military hero, though he never wanted that role, was Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce (more properly Nimíipuu) Native American tribe.
I don't really have a reason for my choices, other than each did as his heart compelled him to do under the circumstances he found himself in and did so honorably.
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I'm going to go with Lieutenant Dan Taylor. Amazing leader and American hero. He's the one who convinced me to enlist.
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As an Infantry Officer, I'd have to go with LTG Hal Moore.
His dedication to the Soldier, knowledge, and adaptability were inspiring.
There are obviously many I could list, but stands out to me.
His dedication to the Soldier, knowledge, and adaptability were inspiring.
There are obviously many I could list, but stands out to me.
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Where is the monument to honor the man who provided the vision and impetus for establishing US Army special warfare? More than 52 years after his death, visitors to Smoke Bomb Hill still find no evidence of his place in special operations history. In fact, most SOF soldiers are unfamiliar with his name. Major General Robert Alexis McClure is the forgotten father of Army special warfare.
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Michael Novosel, Medal of Honor, Vietnam War
On October 2, 1969, dustoff helicopter pilot Michael Novosel made repeated trips without air cover or fire support to save 29 wounded soldiers under constant...
As far as the Aviation branch goes (and the old Warrant Officer branch) , I have to say CW4 (Ret) Michael J. Novosel Sr. He originally enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941, then went to flight training and progressed to Captain by the end of the war. After the war ended and the Army Air Corps separated into the Air Force, he left active duty and joined the Air Force Reserves. He was recalled for service during the Korean war as a Major in the Air Force, again returning to the reserves after his Korean service was over. When the Vietnam conflict kicked off he volunteered to serve again but by that time was the rank of Lt. Col and the Air Force was over strength for that rank so they wouldn't take him. He decided to resign his Air Force commission and joined the Army as a CWO2 so he could serve.
It was during his second Vietnam tour that he conducted a total of 15 hazardous extractions to remove 29 injured troops that had been surrounded by the enemy with no means to escape and cutoff from their unit. He was able to locate all the troops that had been cutoff from their unit without any means of communication with those troops and made a total of 15 different extractions from the "hot" LZ without any aerial gun support/cover fire. It was for this action that he later received the Medal of Honor.
A few other interesting facts, during his second tour he served and flew with his son in the same MEDEVAC unit. He rescued his son once after his son was shot down, and a week later his son returned the favor after he was shot down. He was credited with evacuating 5,589 wounded soldiers during his 2 tours of duty in Vietnam. Following his service in Vietnam he remained on active duty in the army until his retirement in 1985 at the rank of CW4 (the highest Warrant Officer rank at that time). At the time of his retirement he was the only WWII aviator in the military that was still flying on active duty. His notable decorations include: the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross (2 OLC), Bronze Star (2 OLC), the Air Medal w/ V device and numeral 60 (no, not a typo... sixty awards of the Air Medal) and the Purple Heart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Cx7KKETbko
It was during his second Vietnam tour that he conducted a total of 15 hazardous extractions to remove 29 injured troops that had been surrounded by the enemy with no means to escape and cutoff from their unit. He was able to locate all the troops that had been cutoff from their unit without any means of communication with those troops and made a total of 15 different extractions from the "hot" LZ without any aerial gun support/cover fire. It was for this action that he later received the Medal of Honor.
A few other interesting facts, during his second tour he served and flew with his son in the same MEDEVAC unit. He rescued his son once after his son was shot down, and a week later his son returned the favor after he was shot down. He was credited with evacuating 5,589 wounded soldiers during his 2 tours of duty in Vietnam. Following his service in Vietnam he remained on active duty in the army until his retirement in 1985 at the rank of CW4 (the highest Warrant Officer rank at that time). At the time of his retirement he was the only WWII aviator in the military that was still flying on active duty. His notable decorations include: the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross (2 OLC), Bronze Star (2 OLC), the Air Medal w/ V device and numeral 60 (no, not a typo... sixty awards of the Air Medal) and the Purple Heart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Cx7KKETbko
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