Opinions ... what you think constitutes a hero?

wingshooter08

I was decordated in Vietnam and i agree with you, however, my definition of a hero is my son:

THE ARMY COMENDATION MEDAL WITH â€œVâ€ DEVICE
TO
SGT. CHRISTOPHER M. ROGERS

SGT. Christopher M. Rogers, B Co., 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry, TF 2-69 Armor (Ramadi Iraq) is specifically cited for heroism during combat actions in Ramadi, Iraq on October 10, 2005. As a squad leader for TF 2-69â€™s Quick Reaction Force (QRF), SGT Rogers led and participated in combat actions where his leadership under fire, heroism, and courage were demonstrated to all;

On 10 October, the QRF was sent into downtown Ramadi in an attempt to secure and conduct CASEVAC at the site where a Scout Bradley had been damaged by the explosion of a large IED. As the QRF moved into the city center, SGT Rogers led the platoonâ€™s 2nd Squad with the mission of dismounting to provide aid and security to the casualties and vehicles at the site. As the platoon neared the site of the explosion, they identified the burning vehicle and began maneuvering to secure the area. As Alpha sectionâ€™s lead Bradley (B-22) moved past the burning vehicle in an attempt to secure the site, it too was hit by a large IED resulting in the death of both the Bradley Commander and Gunner who were ejected by the explosion into the street. The bodies of the two soldiers were now lying in the middle of the intersection. B22 continued to roll forward engulfed in flames until it stopped by the already burning vehicle. At this point, two things happened: insurgents in the area attacked the platoon with small arms fire, while the ammunition inside both Bradleyâ€™s began â€œcooking offâ€. All maneuvers with Bradleyâ€™s stopped because of the possible IED threats between themselves and the intersection. The platoon identified and engaged the insurgents from their positions. As the firefight began to die down, EOD arrived on scene; however, they did not come up on Battalion or Platoon nets. SGT Rogers, in order to alleviate the confusion and to get them to start clearing, dismounted under fire with his team leader SGT Kinsley and raced toward the EOD Humvee, opened their doors for cover and then instructed them on what needed to be done and what net to use. SGT Rogers and SGT Kinsley stayed at the EOD Humvee until they began clearing, then returned to their Bradley. A fire truck was supposed to arrive to extinguish the blaze and eliminate any more â€œcook offsâ€ before attempting to recover the bodies still in the intersection. Upon hearing that the fire truck would not be coming, SGT Rogers dismounted his squad and maneuvered them to the intersection to recover the bodies of the fallen soldiers. The PSG and PLâ€™s Bradleyâ€™s maneuvered into the intersection to shield the dismounts as they placed the fallen soldiers into the back of the Bradley, only to return to Combat Outpost to be the first solder to remove the bodies out of the back of the PLâ€™s Bradley. Then when given the option to take a break and let soldiers who were on guard go back into the city, SGT Rogers volunteered to go back into Ramadi and aid in the recovery of the two Bradleyâ€™s in anyway he could. SGT Rogerâ€™s actions o 10 October, his courage in both the face of insurgent small arms fire and continual â€œcook offâ€ of rounds from B-22, and his ability to focus and lead his squad to recover fallen comrades are in the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit, upon himself, the NCO Corp and his unit.

#1 Raider Fan

A hero is someone who does the right thing no matter what he/she has to sacrifice to do it.

R J

You know we thank you and all. Under fire (serious danger) for others and not giving it a second thought. Take care. incredible stories. Americans they are.

your_sunshine78

Just wanted to say thank you.

kirk m

Actually bravery is an absence of fear, courage is doing your duty in the face of your fears. A hero is anyone who will give up their life for another. doesn't matter how they feel about what they are doing. when you join the military, you are a hero. You are no longer you, you are U.S. government property. Parents are heroes as well. When you have children, good parents put their wants aside to see to the children's welfare.

pacer

A heart felt thank you and;
Congratulations for the service, the medal and for being alive. I always believed there are a few different kinds of heroes. And lest we forget the kind that jump in front of a moving vehicle to save a bunny, and then there is a brain condition where a person cannot experience any fear. These last ones have the highest paying jobs in existence.

Hope you realize how proud you should always be and carry yourself into a great future.

MikeGolf

You got the medal in recognition of your heroism.

Most people who have been awarded the Medal of Honor feel that they were 'just doing their jobs' and did not deserve such a high honor.

rukidding

A hero is someone who is still afraid but steps up to the plate anyway and does something that needs to be done often with great risk to his or her own personal safety.

sparhawk7322

Couldn't agree more. The word hero has become diluted to near meaninglessness.

Amos S

thank you.

Dave M

As a Vet my self, with all due respect to you Dougal for having done your job under combat conditions, a job you were trained for and expected to do, I do not believe in any medals for anyone in combat. War/Battles are always terrible, all about killing, think of the many things solders have done that were never cited for a medal and further others who have seemed to have put a little planing into there actions to get a certain medal when in fact, like your self, all were doing what they were trained for, Kill the Enemy. I do believe that those solders who have actually been in combat should be given, battle/campaign ribbons etc.

jason

doing what your trainined to do...you kept a brother alive..hero's come in all shapes and sizes, from all walks of life, cities, towns, cross roads in the middle of nowhere. i think giving up millions of dollars playing football to go to war is kinda heroic also..

Nate

Someone who makes a sacrifice in order to benefit another.

jack

A hero is anyone that's awarded a medal but refuses it for himself and demands they give it to another! Someone that doesn't aggrandize or glorifies the situation! Will we hear from you again if you're ever awarded another medal? Why don't you pin it to your forehead so everyone can ask you why you got that one!

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