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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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CSM Basil L. Plumley, incredible leader with an incredible military background. Man is a hero.
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SFC Mark Merino
SSG(P) (Join to see) He recently passed and is at the Green getting accountability of his soldiers. Very sad.
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CDR Quentin Walsh earned the Navy Cross following the D Day invasion for liberating the port of Cherborg; liberating a group of American paratroopers who were captured during the their drop, and bluffing the German commander into believing that the German garrison was surrounded and in imminent danger of being over run if he didn't surrender. It's a really cool story to read.
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SFC Robert Trodahl
In a word - Impressive!
He is the excerpt from his citation:
"Heroism as Commanding Officer of a U.S. Naval party reconnoitering the naval facilities and naval arsenal at Cherbourg June 26 and 27, 1944. While in command of a reconnaissance party, Commander Walsh entered the port of Cherbourg and penetrated the eastern half of the city, engaging in street fighting with the enemy. He accepted the surrender and disarmed 400 of the enemy force at the naval arsenal and later received unconditional surrender of 350 enemy troops and, at the same time, released 52 captured U.S. Army paratroopers. His determination and devotion to duty were instrumental in the surrender of the last inner fortress of the Arsenal."
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In the Marine Corp it is a no brainer. General Louis B Puller AKA. Chesty Puller A Pre WWll veteran WWll and Korean War veteran. He always said officers are only as good as their NCO,s He liked to be among the enlisted Marines. At the Chosin Reservoir in Korea, When surrounded by The Chinese, he said ( The chinese got us surrounded, They wont get away this time) Semper Fi.
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I could give you the more common answers that Marines give like Chesty, or Mad Dog Mattis. But my true heroes are the ones I still look up to every night while I struggle with my demons. Those men are the 22 Marines that I knew and called brothers who gave their lives in Afghanistan, and the 12 more who have taken their own lives the past few years. All though they couldn't save themselves, each of them was here for me during my late nights. Sorry if I brought down the motivation some of you were looking for, but I figured I'd give my true answer. Semper Fi gents.
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Cpl Bernard Bates
Thats an Honest Answer. I would feel the same way if I were in your shoes. Thank you for your service. Semper Fi.
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Although typically deck and engineering on a ship dont get along too well I would have loved to meet BM1 James E. Williams one if the most decorated enlisted Sailors and MoH recipient.
Rank and organization: Boatswain's Mate First Class (PO1c.), United States Navy, River Section 531, My Tho, RVN, Place and date: Mekong River, Republic of Vietnam, October 31, 1966. Entered service at: Columbia, S.C. Born: June 13, 1930, Rock Hill, S.C.
CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. BM1 Williams was serving as Boat Captain and Patrol Officer aboard River Patrol Boat (PBR) 105 accompanied by another patrol boat when the patrol was suddenly taken under fire by 2 enemy sampans. BM1 Williams immediately ordered the fire returned, killing the crew of 1 enemy boat and causing the other sampan to take refuge in a nearby river inlet. Pursuing the fleeing sampan, the U.S. patrol encountered a heavy volume of small-arms fire from enemy forces, at close range, occupying well-concealed positions along the river bank. Maneuvering through this fire, the patrol confronted a numerically superior enemy force aboard 2 enemy junks and 8 sampans augmented by heavy automatic weapons fire from ashore. In the savage battle that ensued, BM1 Williams, with utter disregard for his safety exposed himself to the withering hail of enemy fire to direct counter-fire and inspire the actions of his patrol. Recognizing the overwhelming strength of the enemy force, BM1 Williams deployed his patrol to await the arrival of armed helicopters. In the course of his movement he discovered an even larger concentration of enemy boats. Not waiting for the arrival of the armed helicopters, he displayed great initiative and boldly led the patrol through the intense enemy fire and damaged or destroyed 50 enemy sampans and 7 junks. This phase of the action completed, and with the arrival of the armed helicopters, BM1 Williams directed the attack on the remaining enemy force. Now virtually dark, and although BM1 Williams was aware that his boats would become even better targets, he ordered the patrol boats' search lights turned on to better illuminate the area and moved the patrol perilously close to shore to press the attack. Despite a waning supply of ammunition the patrol successfully engaged the enemy ashore and completed the rout of the enemy force. Under the leadership of BM1 Williams, who demonstrated unusual professional skill and indomitable courage throughout the 3 hour battle, the patrol accounted for the destruction or loss of 65 enemy boats and inflicted numerous casualties on the enemy personnel. His extraordinary heroism and exemplary fighting spirit in the face of grave risks inspired the efforts of his men to defeat a larger enemy force, and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service
Rank and organization: Boatswain's Mate First Class (PO1c.), United States Navy, River Section 531, My Tho, RVN, Place and date: Mekong River, Republic of Vietnam, October 31, 1966. Entered service at: Columbia, S.C. Born: June 13, 1930, Rock Hill, S.C.
CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. BM1 Williams was serving as Boat Captain and Patrol Officer aboard River Patrol Boat (PBR) 105 accompanied by another patrol boat when the patrol was suddenly taken under fire by 2 enemy sampans. BM1 Williams immediately ordered the fire returned, killing the crew of 1 enemy boat and causing the other sampan to take refuge in a nearby river inlet. Pursuing the fleeing sampan, the U.S. patrol encountered a heavy volume of small-arms fire from enemy forces, at close range, occupying well-concealed positions along the river bank. Maneuvering through this fire, the patrol confronted a numerically superior enemy force aboard 2 enemy junks and 8 sampans augmented by heavy automatic weapons fire from ashore. In the savage battle that ensued, BM1 Williams, with utter disregard for his safety exposed himself to the withering hail of enemy fire to direct counter-fire and inspire the actions of his patrol. Recognizing the overwhelming strength of the enemy force, BM1 Williams deployed his patrol to await the arrival of armed helicopters. In the course of his movement he discovered an even larger concentration of enemy boats. Not waiting for the arrival of the armed helicopters, he displayed great initiative and boldly led the patrol through the intense enemy fire and damaged or destroyed 50 enemy sampans and 7 junks. This phase of the action completed, and with the arrival of the armed helicopters, BM1 Williams directed the attack on the remaining enemy force. Now virtually dark, and although BM1 Williams was aware that his boats would become even better targets, he ordered the patrol boats' search lights turned on to better illuminate the area and moved the patrol perilously close to shore to press the attack. Despite a waning supply of ammunition the patrol successfully engaged the enemy ashore and completed the rout of the enemy force. Under the leadership of BM1 Williams, who demonstrated unusual professional skill and indomitable courage throughout the 3 hour battle, the patrol accounted for the destruction or loss of 65 enemy boats and inflicted numerous casualties on the enemy personnel. His extraordinary heroism and exemplary fighting spirit in the face of grave risks inspired the efforts of his men to defeat a larger enemy force, and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service
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This guy right here. He was a SSG back in '93. He was one of my Drill Sergeants. He wouldn't let me quit.
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My Air Force hero would have to be Brigadier General Robin Olds.
Air Force Cross
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Silver Star (4)
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross (6)
Air Medal (40)
British Distinguished Flying Cross
Croix de Guerre with Palm (France)
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1125
Air Force Cross
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Silver Star (4)
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross (6)
Air Medal (40)
British Distinguished Flying Cross
Croix de Guerre with Palm (France)
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1125
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Aki Ra - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aki Ra (sometimes written Akira) is a former Khmer Rouge conscripted child soldier who works as a deminer and museum curator in Siem Reap, Cambodia. He has devoted his life to removing landmines in Cambodia and to caring for young landmine victims. Aki Ra states that since 1992 he has personally removed and destroyed as many as 50,000 landmines.[1]
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