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Also from the WJS today. This sort of goes in hand with some comments in the other page one story I posted. I wonder how many young folks today even recognise the name Nathan Hale?
Two Centuries of Military Celebrities
Nathan Hale
Revolutionary War
1775-1783
He went behind British lines to gather information and became the first American executed for spying. Before he was hanged at the age of 21, he spoke the words generations of school children would learn: "I only regret I have but one life to lose for my country."
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
Civil War
1861-1865
The Union general officer led a crucial bayonet charge at Little Round Top at Gettysburg. In two dozen battles his soldiers captured 2,700 prisoners and eight battle flags. At least five horses were shot from under him and he was wounded eight times. His popularity as a war hero helped him win election to four terms as governor of Maine.
Smedley Darlington Butler
Veracruz Capture & Haiti Occupation
1914-1915
Marine Corps Major General was awarded one Medal of Honor for his role in the capture of Veracruz in Nicaragua and another for the capture of Fort Riviere in Haiti. "Old Gimlet Eye," as he was known, promoted a warrior-style Marine Corps mystique. After leaving the Marine Corps, he ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate and later became a peace activist.
Alvin York
World War I
1914-1918
The Army corporal single-handedly killed 25 Germans, took out 35 machine guns and captured 132 prisoners in less than three hours. Upon return, his home state of Tennessee presented him with a fully stocked 400-acre farm. Deluged with offers for lectures, tours and books, he declined, saying, "This uniform ain't for sale." Later, Gary Cooper starred in the movie about York's heroism.
Audie Murphy
World War II
1939-1945
Alone and exposed to German fire from three sides, the Army second lieutenant repelled an infantry attack and killed dozens of Germans. Though wounded in the leg, he fought until his ammunition ran out. He then made his way to his company and organized a counter-attack that forced the enemy to withdraw. His 1949 autobiography, "To Hell and Back," became a bestseller. In 1955, he starred in the movie version of the book.
John McCain
Vietnam War
1955-1973
The Navy lieutenant commander's plane was shot down during a bombing raid on Hanoi. The North Vietnamese televised images of his broken body, exploiting his capture because McCain's father was an admiral and commander in chief of Pacific forces. He was imprisoned for five years and tortured. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1982 and the U.S. Senate in 1986. His book, "Faith of My Fathers," was a bestseller.
Scott O'Grady
Bosnia
1990s
The Air Force captain's F-16 was shot down by a Bosnian Serb surface-to-air missile. He survived six days on a diet of leaves, ants and rainwater before his rescue by members of the Marine Corps. He wrote a best-selling book, "Return With Honor," and his story was turned into the movie "Behind Enemy Lines."
Jessica Lynch
Iraq War
2003
The Army private's 507th Maintenance Company was ambushed in Nasiriyah. Lynch, a 19-year-old Army supply clerk, suffered broken bones and other injuries. She was later rescued from a hospital in Iraq. Her story has been turned into a TV movie and a book.
Two Centuries of Military Celebrities
Nathan Hale
Revolutionary War
1775-1783
He went behind British lines to gather information and became the first American executed for spying. Before he was hanged at the age of 21, he spoke the words generations of school children would learn: "I only regret I have but one life to lose for my country."
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
Civil War
1861-1865
The Union general officer led a crucial bayonet charge at Little Round Top at Gettysburg. In two dozen battles his soldiers captured 2,700 prisoners and eight battle flags. At least five horses were shot from under him and he was wounded eight times. His popularity as a war hero helped him win election to four terms as governor of Maine.
Smedley Darlington Butler
Veracruz Capture & Haiti Occupation
1914-1915
Marine Corps Major General was awarded one Medal of Honor for his role in the capture of Veracruz in Nicaragua and another for the capture of Fort Riviere in Haiti. "Old Gimlet Eye," as he was known, promoted a warrior-style Marine Corps mystique. After leaving the Marine Corps, he ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate and later became a peace activist.
Alvin York
World War I
1914-1918
The Army corporal single-handedly killed 25 Germans, took out 35 machine guns and captured 132 prisoners in less than three hours. Upon return, his home state of Tennessee presented him with a fully stocked 400-acre farm. Deluged with offers for lectures, tours and books, he declined, saying, "This uniform ain't for sale." Later, Gary Cooper starred in the movie about York's heroism.
Audie Murphy
World War II
1939-1945
Alone and exposed to German fire from three sides, the Army second lieutenant repelled an infantry attack and killed dozens of Germans. Though wounded in the leg, he fought until his ammunition ran out. He then made his way to his company and organized a counter-attack that forced the enemy to withdraw. His 1949 autobiography, "To Hell and Back," became a bestseller. In 1955, he starred in the movie version of the book.
John McCain
Vietnam War
1955-1973
The Navy lieutenant commander's plane was shot down during a bombing raid on Hanoi. The North Vietnamese televised images of his broken body, exploiting his capture because McCain's father was an admiral and commander in chief of Pacific forces. He was imprisoned for five years and tortured. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1982 and the U.S. Senate in 1986. His book, "Faith of My Fathers," was a bestseller.
Scott O'Grady
Bosnia
1990s
The Air Force captain's F-16 was shot down by a Bosnian Serb surface-to-air missile. He survived six days on a diet of leaves, ants and rainwater before his rescue by members of the Marine Corps. He wrote a best-selling book, "Return With Honor," and his story was turned into the movie "Behind Enemy Lines."
Jessica Lynch
Iraq War
2003
The Army private's 507th Maintenance Company was ambushed in Nasiriyah. Lynch, a 19-year-old Army supply clerk, suffered broken bones and other injuries. She was later rescued from a hospital in Iraq. Her story has been turned into a TV movie and a book.
