Who is the greatest war hero of all time?

Question

Please give me the name and background info. Thanks

Answer 1

The greatest war hero of all time is the late Colonel David H. Hackworth and anyone who said otherwise is wrong. He joined the United States Army at 15, and in almost 26 years served over 7 years in combat theaters, almost 5 of them in Vietnam. He was the most decorated living soldier at the time of his death in May 2005, and his awards include:

Individual Decorations & Service Medals:

Distinguished Service Cross (with one Oak Leaf Cluster)
Silver Star (with nine Oak Leaf Clusters)
Legion of Merit (with three Oak Leaf Clusters)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal (with "V" Device & seven Oak Leaf Clusters)(Seven of the awards for heroism)
Purple Heart (with seven Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Medal (with "V" Device & Numeral 34)(One for heroism and 33 for aerial achievement)
Army Commendation Medal (w/ "V" Device & 3 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Good Conduct Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal (with Germany and Japan Clasps)
National Defense Service Medal (with one Bronze Service Star)
Korean Service Medal (with Service Stars for eight campaigns)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Service Medal (2 Silver Service Stars = 10 campaigns)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal

Unit Awards:

Presidential Unit Citation
Valorous Unit Award (with one Oak Leaf Cluster)
Meritorious Unit Commendation

Badges & Tabs:

Combat Infantryman Badge (w/ one Star; representing 2 awards)
Master Parachutist Badge
Army General Staff Identification Badge
Foreign Awards:

United Nations Service Medal (Korea)
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (with two Gold Stars)
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (with two Silver Stars)
Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal (1st Class)
Vietnam Staff Service Medal (1st Class)
Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order, 2d Class
Vietnam Parachutist Badge (Master Level)
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (with three Palm oak leaf clusters)
Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation (with one Palm oak leaf cluster)

World War II Merchant Marine Awards:

Pacific War Zone Bar
Victory Medal

Answer 2

Yes, there a lot of great heroes that have won many medals during wars.
But I think anyone that goes into the military and does not know if he will have to fight or not is a hero. They are ready to protect their country. Most do not see hostile action but are there and ready. Who is the greater hero, the one that fought in a war and won a bunch of medals or the 17 year old kid that joined the service to defend his or her country? I believe anyone who serves their country is a hero. They are out there to protect our freedoms and ready to fight if need be. The medal is a Purple Heart. Are they not heroes?

We have had many unsung heroes from Vally Forge to The Crimea to Waterloo to Trafalgar to Gettysburg to San Juan Hill to The Trenches of France to Normandy to
Iwo Jima to Inchon to Viet Nam and now to the Persian Gulf.

Not sure about the British battles. I am American, but you had unsung heroes to. The Charge of the Light Brigade, I believe was The Crimea. Waterloo was the end of Napoleon. Not really up on Trafalgar. I do now that is where you lost Lord Nelson. You had to have some unknown heroes too.

Anyone that serves in the military of their country is a hero. They are willing to go to war and give up their life for their country, doesn't that make them a hero?

Answer 3

Rommel. Practically invented the concept of manoeuvre warfare (you know the thing that kicked *** in two gulf wars. Would have beaten Montgomery were it not for fuel shortages, and the fact that Monty could read all his signals traffic. Was instrumental in re-building the German army from tha ashes of the post WWI era, instilling ethos at all levels and, despite being a raving Nazi, had a go at arguing with Hitler when he worked out where the Reich was going and probably lost his life for doing so.

All in all. Very definitely on the wrong side, but an outstanding soldier and a tactician who's methods are ignored only by the foolish.

Were He fighting on the US side, He would not have sacrificed 6 divisions to the Hertgen Forrest, he would have fixed the enemy there and bypassed it to the Ruhr. Which is incidentally what current doctrine in the UK and US would suggest as a most likely COA.

Sometime later: People. There about three answers to this question which are not based on a war film. For God's sake start thinking!

Answer 4

After America's victorious revolution it still had a long way to go and the British Navy was beating up pretty bad on American shipping and it was not till John Paul Jones came along that America got any respect on the High Seas

Answer 5

Erich Hartmann of the German Luftwaffe, of course!

The side a supposed war hero fought on is irrelevant.

The highest scoring fighter ace of all time with 352 confirmed aerial kills. Never shot down or forced to crash land due to enemy fire, never lost a wingman and never given a transfer to a safer job like aces in other foreign air forces.

Illegitimately held as a war criminal by the Soviet Union (and only comparatively recently exonerated by Russia) for over ten years, chose to remain a prisoner of war rather than convert to Communism and join the East German Air Force.

No other fighter pilot has got jack on Erich Hartmann.

Answer 6

All of the men and women who gave their lives,and who is currently fighting for America are the greatest heroes and all the Veterans, and those who are stationed right here in America and all over the world.

Answer 7

DAVID H. HACKWORTH -

28 medals for courage under fire including 2 Distinguished Service Crosses, 10 Silver Stars, and 8 Bronze Stars, and twice awarded the Combat Infantry Badge. He turned the worst battalion in Vietnam into the best and is still remember fondly by his troops as "Hack" who gave everything he had for his soldiers and his country. He died of cancer two years ago from Agent Blue exposure after working tirelessly for his troops for over 30 years outside the US Army.

Answer 8

everything is relative, and I am not sure about your definition of "hero"
Eisenhower was the greatest hero of world war 2, which got him elected President.
There is no answer to of all time.

Answer 9

Audie Murphy is considered one of the greatest, because he was a complete underdog. He was an excellent sharpshooter, because when his father deserted his rural Texas family, Audie had to hunt for food for them, usually squirrel, and could only afford one bullet a day, so could not miss. He was short in stature, and tried over and over to volunteer for the Marines, Navy, etc. but was considered too short. He was finally drafted into the Army. He was a brave and efficient killer in battle with the Nazis, even at his very young age. He also suffered severe battle wounds, that disfigured his body. He was "discovered" in Hollywood, and his life story made into a film, TO HELL AND BACK (1955), which he starred in. He was married for a time to a beautiful, and petite actress, Wanda Hendrix.

Answer 10

Master Sgt. Daniel Daly USMC 1989-1927 2 Medals of Honors, 3 Bronze stars, one Navy Cross and countless other French medals from world war 1.
Famous Qoute from him- "Come on you sons of bitches, you want to live forever?" as his marines charged Belleua Wood.

Answer 11

My opinion: Alexander the great is the greatest conquerer of all time, and since he lead his army on all battles. I guess he's the greatest war hero as well.