Considered to be one of the greatest American war heroes of all time, Dwight David Eisenhower was born to a family of nine in 1890. He led an average childhood, after finishing school he went on to West Point Military Academy in 1911. Eisenhower first served his country in World War I, acting as an instructor to get newly recruited troops ready for the war.

He was promoted to Major in early 1920, reflecting his service in WWI. During the next ten years he would serve under some of most famous generals in U.S. history, including, General Patton, General Pershing, and General McArthur. After many recommendations, most from McArthur, Eisenhower had progressed to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

During the early onset of U.S. involvement in the Second World War, the U.S. military named Eisenhower Brigadier General. He was also named the Senior War Planner, by General George Marshall. Due to his brilliant tactics and war strategies, he was named Commanding General for the European Theater in 1942.

By late 1942, Eisenhower was appointed Supreme Commander, and was asked to devise a strategy for the storming of Mission Beach and Normandy. After the U.S. victory in the war, the general settled down and retired from the military. He continued working at Columbia University as the president of the school.

As 1951 neared he was appointed as the head of NATO (North American Treaty Organization). After gaining much media and national attention, he decided to run on the republican ticket for President in 1958. Eisenhower is also credited with officially ending the U.S. involvement in the unpopular Korean War. He passed away in 1969, but left behind one of the greatest legacies of any President of the United States.

Labels: commanding officer, President Dwight David Eisenhower, US Military, WWI, WWII

Jimmie Early Howard was born in Iowa in 1929. While in his youth he was obsessed with football, leading his high school to several championships. In 1950 he enlisted in 1st Marine Corps Recruit Corps Recruit Depot in California.

After finishing all of his training, Jimmie was shipped to Korea in 1952, much to the dismay of his wife Theresa. During his time in the Korean war Howard was awarded numerous medals including, Silver Star Medal, the Purple Heart with Gold Star, and Navy Unit Commendation.

He returned home in 1953 and continued his career in the military. By 1954 Jimmie had reached the rank of Squad Leader and was stationed on U.S.S. Oriskany. The young sergeant kept working in the military and by the time the Vietnam War was in full motion, he found himself deployed to Vietnam. He was awarded a Gold Star in 1966 for his efforts of valor with personal disregard during the conflict.

The biggest highlight in Jimmies decorated career came in 1967 when President Lyndon B. Johnson awarded him the Medal of Honor, referring to him as “the bravest of America’s brave.” This award stemmed from Howard’s efforts in Vietnam during a famous battle called Hill 488.

While defending a strategic military outpost designated as Hill 488, Howard and his men were ambushed by Vietcong soldiers who had scaled the cliffs in silence. As the VC assaulted, Howard kept his men organized and was able to successfully repel the assault. By combining his brilliant military tactics with great courage, Jimmies was able to stave off assault after assault from hundreds of VC. His unit only suffered 10 casualties through out the 24 hour battle and at the start of the battle they were less than 30 men strong.

Labels: Jimmie Earl Howard, Korea, Marine Corp., Navy Unit Commendation, Purple Heart

Born to a gardener in 1747, and christened John Paul Jones, this early day hero came from modest upbringings. John had a fascination with ships from early age, often strolling to the harbor to eye in wonder at the many docked ships. Once he was 13 years old, Jones decided to become a seaman’s apprentice.

He began working for King George transporting slaves in 1764, but left after tiring of the trade. Several years later Jones was credited with safely bringing his ship back to port after the captain had died from illness. At 25 years old, he was honored with the title of Captain. In 1775 he was appointed Lieutenant of the Continental Navy when war was declared between Britain and the United States.

He was known as a ruthless pursuer of his adversaries and was credited with capturing many ships during his time as a Commodore in 1777. He heightened his reputation a few years later after a British ship almost destroyed his own ship and told him to surrender. Despite all odds against him, Jones was still able to capture the larger ship.

After the U.S. gained its independence from Britain, Jones went on to become an admiral in the Russian Navy. After a short stint in Russia, Jones relocated for France and passed away at age 45, but was honored by being buried in the French Royal Cemetery. The United States had Jones’ remains brought back to the U.S. in 1905 so he could be properly honored for his war efforts. Today he lies with many other great war heroes at the guarded chapel in the U.S. Naval Academy.

Labels: Commodore, John Paul Jones, Russian Navy, US Military, US Naval Academy, US Navy

Born to Russian emigrant parents on November 20th, 1908, Harold William Bauer was raised by his parents with education in mind. The family was struggling financially, but they managed to find a way to put all three of their children through college.

Bauer graduated in 1930 from NSAU and joined the Marine Corp., in order to pursue his football aspirations once out of college. A few years later Bauer found himself married and settling down with his new wife Harriette. William gained acceptance into the prestigious Pensacola Naval Air Station Training Center in 1934. After mastering several popular military aircraft of the time, Bauer was promoted to Officer, and was known to most as one of the best.

Following the assault on Pearl Harbor, he was promoted again and the U.S. military stationed him in Wake Island. Considered to be an expert in air combat tactics, Bauer found himself flying sorties from the U.S.S. Saratoga in 1942. Bauer is also credited with leading the successful assault on Guadalcanal and securing the valuable U.S. Interest.

Around Thanksgiving of 1942, Bauer found himself alone in the skies above the Pacific Ocean, and with the rest of squadron shot down, he was left to take on an entire Japanese squadron by himself. Unfortunately they managed to shoot him down and he was officially listed as MIA (missing in action).

In 1946 congress recognized Bauer’s efforts and awarded him the Medal of Honor. This would not be the last great honor for the doomed pilot. Later the U.S. navy commissioned the U.S.S. Bauer, in remembrance of his heroic duties during the war in the Pacific.

Labels: Lieutenant Colonel Harold William Bauer, Marine Corp., military aircrafts, Pearl Harbor

Born to a military father in 1912, Benjamin Oliver Davis had early aspirations to follow in his dad’s footsteps. Aware from his fathers own experiences of a being a black man in the military, Ben decided to enroll at West Point. During his time there he experienced a fair bit of racism, but pursued his goals without hesitation.

When 1936 rolled around, Davis was the first African-American to ever successfully graduate from West Point. Much to his dismay, Davis’s was not allowed to enroll in the Army Air Brigade, and ended up teaching for the next several years.

The air brigade finally allowed Davis to enlist in 1941, due to the war in Europe and the need for additional troops, they decided to overlook that he was black. He again made history as one of the first African-Americans to graduate from Tuskegee Army Air Field.

Finally Davis saw his dream coming to reality. He was assigned commanding officer of the 99th Pursuit Squadron, made up entirely of African-Americans. His squadron performed so well on their missions under Davis’ command that by 1943 he was named commander of 332d Fighter Group, a much larger air division.

Throughout the remainder of the war Davis’ squadron accumulated one of the best kill records of any other squadron, and they were all black. The U.S. government was quick to recognize his excellence and honored Davis with a Distinguished Flying Cross and a Silver Star.

After World War II, Davis wasn’t done. He asked to be assigned right away to Korea, to fight against the rise of communism. Following another fantastic set of victories in Korea, he a was made a General in the Air force. After another decade of service he was appointed the prestigious position of a Four Star General. Despite his many tours in 3 different wars, Davis’ most significant contribution to the U.S. was the aid in desegregating the military, a feat worthy of remembrance.

Labels: famous generals, General Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr., Korea, WWII

Born in October of 1898 Kenneth Sharp Olson was destined to be great soldier. He pursued education during his childhood years, and after acquiring a recommendation from Senator George Sutherland, he was accepted into West Point. After he had finished his stint at West Point, Olson was shipped over to Europe, where he and his fellow soldiers fought in First World War. He returned home to his wife and children in 1929 and continued to serve in the military.

He was stationed in the Philippines in 1940 and brought his wife and kids there with him. When World War II was officially underway in 1941, he immediately sent them home amid fear for their safety in the Pacific. Shortly thereafter the Japanese invaded the Philippines and took Olson captive, making him a POW (prisoner of war). He remained in their captivity for two more years until he attempted his escape.

When the U.S. began their bombardment of the islands in late December of 43’ in an attempt to retake them, Olson knew he may never have another chance at escaping alive. As the bombs dropped several hit the prisons that Olson and several hundred other POW’s were confined in. In effort to survive men began to try and push their way out of the hold, but were gunned down by the Japanese.

They eventually overwhelmed the guards and pushed their way to the water, where a Japanese machine gunner opened fire on them. Olson took the lead, shouting orders at the POW’s to get in the water and continue moving. His efforts of bravery helped save the lives of hundreds of American Soldiers. After the attacks had subsided the U.S. was unable to find Olson and listed him as MIA (missing in action). He was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his demonstrations of valor in a time of great peril.

Labels: Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Sharp Olson, Prisoner of War, WWII