Who is your favorite military hero and why?

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 21:00:04 -0400

For example, here are some popular military heroes: Hannibal, George Washington, Napoleon Bonaparte, Alexander the Great, Horatio Nelson, Robert E. Lee, Lewis "Chesty" Puller, etc.<div><br></div>

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2014 9:28 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 21:28:01 -0400

John Basilone for having them guns blazing and killing bodies at a cyclic rate, for more recent things, this Backbone for get some hand to hand with the taliban.

Valor awards for Clifford M. Wooldridge

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Clifford M. Wooldridge, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Veh...

Response by SFC Christopher Walker, MAOM, DSL made Apr 22 at 2014 9:29 PM

SFC Christopher Walker, MAOM, DSL — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 21:29:10 -0400

General George Patton. Patton's colorful image, hard-driving personality and success as a
commander were at times overshadowed by his controversial public
statements regarding the Soviet Union which were out of accord with
American foreign policy. But his philosophy of leading from the front
and his ability to inspire his troops with vulgarity-ridden speeches,
such as a famous address to the Third Army, attracted favorable attention. His strong emphasis on rapid and aggressive offensive action proved effective. While Allied leaders held sharply differing opinions on Patton, he was regarded highly by his opponents in the German High Command.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2014 10:26 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 22:26:55 -0400

Alvin York. He used his horse sense on the battlefield. Single-handedly captured many Germans. A country boy can survive.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Apr 22 at 2014 10:37 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 22:37:38 -0400

My military hero is not famous, but he did win the Bronze Star for valor during the Vietnam war. He was known to but a few men but those who knew him respected and loved him. He was my father, he passed away almost 20 years ago now, but he is still my hero and the reason I joined the Army

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2014 10:38 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 22:38:29 -0400

GEN George S. Patton because he spoke his mind even though it cost him on occasions. Julius Caeser because of his ambition and GEN Douglas McArthur for his boldness.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2014 10:39 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 22:39:29 -0400

Also Confederate GEN Robert E. Lee for being a great strategist.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2014 12:31 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 00:31:24 -0400

This guy is mine. He is in the Ranger Hall of Fame. Not only was he a LRRP in Vietnam, he also founding member of SFOD-D (Delta Force).

Command Sergeant Major

DONALD E. PURDY

Command Sergeant Major Donald Eldon Purdy is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his extraordinary service to the Ranger community. He established a record of profound service as a Ranger in the Ranger companies of the Vietnam War, in the activation of the First Ranger Battalion, and in Operation Desert One. Command Sergeant Major Purdy also served as the interim Command Sergeant Major of the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and in his final Ranger assignment, the Command Sergeant Major of the 4th Ranger Training Battalion. He distinguished himself in numerous engagements during the Vietnam War. As a part of a 13-man patrol assigned to destroy an enemy communication site, CSM Purdy’s team engaged a Viet Cong Regiment. Ranger Purdy’s weapon was destroyed on initial contact but he continued to fight the enemy with grenades while giving ammunition to other Rangers. For his actions above and beyond the call of duty, CSM Purdy was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” Device. During another battle his team of Company F Rangers stopped a battalion of NVA from crossing the Vam Co Don River on the Cambodian border. Command Sergeant Major Purdy’s element killed 55 NVA while sustaining only three Rangers wounded. He also served with distinction in reconnaissance and hunter killer operations in the Boi Loi Woods, and prisoner of war recovery actions. Company F’s gallantry in these actions resulted in the award of the Presidential Unit Citation. From Vietnam through Desert One, CSM Donald E. Purdy served his country as a soldier and a Ranger.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 16 at 2014 1:15 AM

SPC David S. — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 01:15:51 -0400

My Dad.

Response by 1stSgt Ron Gallegos made Oct 21 at 2014 10:26 PM

1stSgt Ron Gallegos — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 22:26:05 -0400

Audie Murphy, Most decorated Soldier of World War II. His actual entry into the Military is what puts him apart from all others. He is an example in the Military that a persons demeanor doesn't make a "HERO"

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2014 1:07 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 13:07:13 -0500

Col John Boyd. His words should still guide military members: “If you go that way you can be somebody. You will have to make compromises and you will have to turn your back on your friends. But you will be a member of the club and you will get promoted and you will get good assignments. Or you can go that way and you can do something- something for your country and for your Air Force and for yourself. If you decide you want to do something, you may not get promoted and you may not get the good assignments and you certainly will not be a favorite of your superiors. But you won’t have to compromise yourself. You will be true to your friends and to yourself. And your work might make a difference. To be somebody or to do something. In life there is often a roll call. That’s when you will have to make a decision. To be or to do? Which way will you go?"

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2014 10:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 22:55:56 -0500

LTG Hal Moore - A true leader that led from the front and was more concerned with the well being and readiness of his men than anything else.

President Theodore Roosevelt - General BAMF

GEN Norman Schwarzkopf - He put his soldiers before himself.

GEN James Mattis - Need I say more than his name?

COL Robert Howard - Most decorated US Soldier EVER.

Sun Tzu - He existed over 2000 years ago and his treatise and strategies are still used and studied today.

Genghis Khan - He started the Mongols on their way to ruling most of the known world and, as the legend goes, we're all probably related to him.

Response by Sgt Adam Jennings made Dec 15 at 2014 8:30 AM

Sgt Adam Jennings — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 08:30:43 -0500

My military hero isn't a MoH winner or even in any history books. You see, he was awarded two Bronze Stars and given a battlefield promotion from PFC to SSGT in the 6th Infantry Division U.S. Army in the Philippines in WWII. He is my Papaw and was a tough old bird before going on to garrison up in heaven. Knowing that he and his men went through 180+ days of straight combat with no relief is enough to put him and them in the lead for the title hero in my book.

Response by SGT David Emme made Feb 4 at 2015 6:16 PM

SGT David Emme — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 18:16:48 -0500

Pvt Corey Depew.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Feb 4 at 2015 6:44 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 18:44:39 -0500

No doubt it is Chesty:

Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell 'Chesty' Puller is considered by many to be the greatest Marine ever. Lewis Puller served in Haiti, china, Nicaragua, Korea, and World War II. He is the only Marine to be awarded the Navy Cross five times for heroism and gallantry in combat. Puller served in the US Marine Corps for 37 years, and was at sea or overseas for 27 of those years.

Puller attended Virginia Military Institute until dropping out to join the Marines in August of 1918, hoping to see service in World War I. Appointed a second lieutenant in the reserves, he was discharged due to force cutbacks after the war. Puller then re-enter the Marines as an enlisted man to serve with a military force in Haiti.

Puller saw frequent action during his five years in Haiti against the Caco rebels. Returning to the US in 1924, Puller was commissioned a second lieutenant. Puller served in Nicaragua from 1928 to 1933 where he earned two Navy Crosses. After leaving Nicaragua, Puller went to China and commanded the famed "Horse Marines."

Puller commanded the 7th Regiment of the 1st Marine Division during action on Gualalcanal in World War II. Puller earned his third Navy Cross on 24-25 October 1942 while his battalion defended Henderson Field against seasoned Japanese troops. Puller's men sustained less than 70 casualties while killing over 1400 Japanese and protecting the airfield.

Puller won his fourth Navy Cross in February 1944 while executive officer of 7th Marines at Cape Gloucester, moving through machine gun and mortar fire to take command of two battalions whose commanders had been killed.

Puller landed with the 1st Marines at Inchon, Korea, in September of 1950. Puller continued to serve in Korea until May of 1951. LtGen Puller retired in 1955 after serving 37 years and earning five Navy Crosses, the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit with "V", the Bronze Star, the Bronze Star with "V", the Air Medal, and the Purple Heart. In 1966, at the age of 68, Puller requested to return to active duty for service in Vietnam, but was turned down due to his age.

Response by PV2 Robert Bowne made Jul 27 at 2015 5:34 PM

PV2 Robert Bowne — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 17:34:24 -0400

General ( Stormin ) Norman Swchartzcoff is my favorite military hero Sir because he was a soldiers general..

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 27 at 2015 11:00 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 23:00:08 -0400

I have three. Patton as the best leaderboard tactician in modern history. Audie Murphy for sheer determination on the battlefield and John Levitow as the first enlisted Air Force member to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2016 11:34 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 11:34:38 -0500

I like Spartacus. I like the fact he was able to rise up and lead a slave revolt that lasted 2 years. I like stuff like that. Just like the Spartans and the 300 at Thermopylae. These guys stood up and said "if im gonna go out, Im going out standing".

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Feb 19 at 2016 4:52 AM

Capt Walter Miller — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 04:52:06 -0500

Gen. O. P. Smith.

CG 1st MarDiv 1950.

He resisted Army pressure to rush to the Yalu and get shot to pieces the way the Army did.

Walt

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2016 12:11 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 12:11:03 -0500

MGySgt Leland "Lou" Diamond

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Feb 29 at 2016 8:21 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 20:21:36 -0500

Spec 4 Robert G Williamson KIA 10/11/66 A Co 3/8 Infantry 4th INF Div our company's first casualty in the Republic of Vietnam,brothers forever