Heroic Actions On The Battlefield

In these war-times...
There have been a lot of heroic acts commited on the battlefields in history.
Do you have any bids on a "Most Heroic Action On The Battlefield" award?

EDIT: Changed title, there is no "Most Heroic Ever...". Feel free to add your heroes.


Here is my bid:
The Captain on The HMS Glowworm on April 8th 1940
Lieutenant Commander Gerard Broadmead Roope

On 8th April 1940 The British destroyer HMS Glowworm, alone and outgunned took on the German Heavy Cruiser Admiral Von Hipper and her destroyer escorts. In spite of the heavy odds against her she managed to score hits on her mighty opponent and in a last act of defiance she rammed the Cruiser before she sank. Out of a total crew of 149, only 31 survived. The Germans congratulated the survivors on a good fight and treated them as equals. Captain Heye told the survivors that their Captain was a very brave man. Later Heye sent a message through the International Red cross, recommending Lt Cdr Roope for the Victoria Cross. The only time in British History that the VC was recommended by the enemy.

HMS Glowworm

Below: Artists Impression of Glowworm ramming the Hipper



[edit on 2006/4/23 by Hellmutt]

I'm biased. I would have to say my father is the greatest hero. At least he is mine

He fought for his country in Vietnam where they blew him up and he retired at the ripe age of 21 from the United States Army. And they've been screwing him ever since lol

Gotta love the government and how they take care of their guys.

Great post, the Capitan had balls. My hero is my Grandfather. He was in the 101 Airborne and dropped into Normandy the night of D-Day....

In regards to the Germans treating the sailors well. Both Navy's had great respect for each other. Despite being rivals, both side would go out of thier way to rescue each other.

Pointing out a single event seems kind of disgraceful. There have been so many battles in history and so many people who have sacraficed everything to really point out a single example.

Originally posted by deeprivergal
He fought for his country in Vietnam where they blew him up and he retired at the ripe age of 21 from the United States Army. And they've been screwing him ever since lol

This is funny?

Originally posted by Disturbed Deliverer
Pointing out a single event seems kind of disgraceful. There have been so many battles in history and so many people who have sacraficed everything to really point out a single example.

No, I don't think it is wrong in any way. We are all intitled to our opinions. I don't Hellmutt intended to take anything away from any of the other men and women who sacraficed themselves for our collective good. It becomes a sad day when we can't or refuse to remeber....

My choice is a oldie but a think it was pretty heroic

The Battle of Thermopylae (The gates of Fire) in roughly the 5th century BC

300 Spartans and 700 Greek volunteers held off 100,000 Persians for one week until every one of the Spartans was killed.

That was a brave bunch of Spartans

Most heroic moment...when Forrest Gump saved Bubba from the bombs being dropped by running him out of the jungle....only kidding of course!

Many of my family members were in the military, and I could point out any number of their "heroic" acts.

Any soldier that has ever jumped on a grenade.

Originally posted by FredT
No, I don't think it is wrong in any way. We are all intitled to our opinions. I don't Hellmutt intended to take anything away from any of the other men and women who sacraficed themselves for our collective good. It becomes a sad day when we can't or refuse to remeber....

Yes indeed, FredT. You�re absolutely right. I thought a little moral-boost was needed now. And now we don�t just have one, but many good examples of heroism during war-time. If no-one had replied to this post, yes then there would have been only one single example.
There are some very good examples here. They�re all heroes, but I think at the moment my current favorite so far would be the 300 Spartans and 700 Greek volunteers which held off 100,000 Persians for one week (ShadowXIX�s example). That was indeed a brave bunch.

[edit on 2004/11/6 by Hellmutt]

Most definitely this. No weapons involved, only humanity:

www.historylearningsite.co.uk...

Originally posted by HellmuttDo you have any bids on a "Most Heroic Action On The Battlefield" award?

No discussion of the matter could be complete without consideration being given to the Marines at the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. I am proud to say that I have known many Marines who served there and am currently in contact with several on a bulletin board on WebTV. These men are as heroic as any man has ever been.

More Links

[edit on 04/8/11 by GradyPhilpott]

kegs.....excellent story. Very heartwarming. Thanks!

Kegs thats was a good story I always liked that one. If I remember correctly the higher ups on both sides didnt like that too much and made sure such fratinizing never happened again.

The most human act of the entire Great War and the higher ups get mad

Thanks, It's a great story; and it's true.

I'm sure there's more detailed accounts about; that was the first on a short search.

[edit on 11-8-2004 by kegs]

Originally posted by kegs
Thanks, It's a great story; and it's true.
I'm sure there's more detailed accounts about; that was the first on a short search.

Found a link (from Australia).
It seems like it has a lot of details.

on the morning of 23 December 1914


[edit on 2004/11/6 by Hellmutt]

Well, this is not quite what I would consider to be the height of valor on the battlefield, it is a testament to the humanity of men who are constrained to fight for national causes.

WWI Christmas Truce

[edit on 04/8/12 by GradyPhilpott]

I also have to say my grandfather he served with the Big Red One 1st armored division. There have been many heroic acts in wars, but I don't think its bad to just recognize or appreciate some.

If the WTC can be called a battlefield then I would say the men and women of service who risked their lives or died trying to help the victims.

In the more taditional sense of the word, I would have to say the POWs who upheld their oath

I should also add my grandfather...whom I never met and lived to tell his tale of being aboard the USS Saratoga which was sunk by kamakazis

[edit on 8/12/2004 by EnronOutrunHomerun]

Thanks Hellmutt, couldn�t have asked for a better link than that.

Now the question..............Bravery?


In my opinion it was extremely brave realisation.
Realisation that they were all pawns and the fight wasn�t between them but those that sent them against each other. A sentiment that could have gotten them both killed at the time, but they still saw that they could both treat each other as humans, despite the propaganda, if only for a fleeting moment.

That�s brave in my book.