A person who just sacrifices almost everything for his or her nation, a bravest veteran. So, if you may imagine that every country has its own brave veterans and smart soldiers, there is always a top list. Honestly, the people who are serving in the military is a big salute. We all are much aware of the combats that would have happened during World War II. In such hard times, there were some veterans, who just thought of being “anything for the country”. This motto does come for many of the veterans across the globe, but the ones here are unique. The heroic acts, admiring will power, and impeccable leadership by the ones listed here are way beyond inspiring.
So, who are the 10 most inspiring veterans from World War II? Lets’ check out.
10. Nancy Wake
Nancy Wake was a journalist and nurse born on 30 August 1912 in Wellington, New Zealand. She was renowned for being the bravest acts during World War II.
She joined as an intelligence officer in the Air Ministry. Additionally, people who have worked with her always have given a first impression of “high spirit”.
Her main contribution and bravery work came into existence after the fall of France to Nazi Germany in 1940. Wake worked as a courier for the Pat O’Leary escape network, which was later called as Albert Guerisse.
As she was making her way through as a courier, the Germans became aware of her. Due to such consequences, Wake absconded and moved to Spain and later to the United Kingdom. Finally, she joined the Special Operations Executive (SOE).
Further, she had a special code name in SOE as “Helene”. For her heroic acts, she became a recipient of the Medal of Freedom from the United States, George Medal from the United Kingdom.
Additionally, she received the Legion d’honneur from France and multiple other honors from New Zealand and Australia.
9. Tony Deane-Drummond
Tony Deane-Drummond is an inspiring veteran from World War II who was part of the British Army. He was born on 23 June 1917 in Worcestershire, England.
He volunteered to join as a commando and served in Europe and in North Africa. Additionally, Deane-Drummond was assigned as second-in-command and made his way to participate in Operation Colossus. The operation was to take part in a raid in southern Italy in February 1941.
Further, this operation was a fail for the unit, which got the entire unit into a trap. As a result, the entire unit members were held and put into prison as captive.
But, Deane-Drummond managed to escape the prison for the first time. Later, somehow the officials could grab him back but could manage again to escape for the second time.
Finally, he was put into an operation called Operation Market-Garden, wherein he was again held for the third time. Now guess what, Deane-Drummond managed to escape for the third time too. Showing his incredible skills in escaping from the cell, the British Army awarded him with CB, DSO. MC and Bar.
8. William F Leonard
William F Leonard was a brilliant veteran who was part of the U.S Army during World War II. He was born on 9 August 1913 in Lockport, New York.
His citation came to picture when he served as a Squad Leader in Company C, 30th Infantry Regiment in St. Die on 7 November 1944. In the engagement with his team in St. Die, the enemy firing caused his pack to reduce to just eight men.
Further, the enemy range was filled with irresistible defense systems like blistering artillery, machinegun, mortar, and rifle fire. However, Private Leonard did not hesitate to move forward to kill the enemy zones.
His bravery moto made him advance behind the enemy lines and kill two snipers and all machinegun nests. Like a one-man army, Leonard killed the enemies at a range of 75 yards.
Finally, for his heroic acts, Leonard became a recipient of the Medal of Honor. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he was as well awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
7. Eric Lomax
Eric Lomax is an inspiring veteran from World War II who was born on 30 May 1919 in Scotland, UK. Initially, Lomax made an entry as a sorting clerk employee in the Post Office by clearing the civil service.
Further, at the age of 19, in 1939, Lomax made his first entry into the Royal Corps of Signal during World War II. He became part of the 5th Field Regiment, Royale Artillery, and gained a position as a Royal Signals Officer.
His most notable activity was when he was forcefully deployed in Kanchanaburi for building Burma Railway. As he was a captured prisoner then, he and his five fellow prisoners were brutally tortured by the Japanese officials.
Following the incident, Lomax was preparing furtive radio in the camp. Further, as a symbol of “anti-Japanese activities”, Lomax was transferred to another prison, Outram Road Prison in Singapore.
His phenomenal work as a prisoner became spot-on in the British Army. Following the incident, Lomax was awarded a captain’s rank and retired from the British Army in 1949.
His story inspired millions of people and a notable book (The Railway Man) was published as well. The book has won the NCR Book Award and the PEN/Ackerley Prize in 1996.
6. Joe Gandara
Joe Gandara has a brilliant story behind his service as a veteran in the U.S Army during World War II. Gandara was born in Santa Monica, California on 25 April 1924.
He was part of the 2nd Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division. Additionally, his notable work came when he was deployed in Amfreville, France, on 9 June 1944.
Gandara along with his men during the engagement got a situation for him to get detached due to impeccable firing by the German force. Due to the split, Gandara’s troops were pinned to the group for over four hours.
A heroic move by him towards the enemy range and destroying their base earned him a Medal of Honor. He was known to destroy three hostile machine-guns.
However, with this act, Gandara was fatally bruised and wounded. Finally, even today, Gandara remains in the hearts of millions and still inspiring many veterans across the globe.
5. Manuel V. Mendoza
Manuel Verdugo Mendoza was a brilliant soldier who was born on 15 June 1922 in the United States. His citation in the United States Army was remarkable, which earned him a Medal of Honor.
Additionally, he is well-known for his contributions fighting the Germans in Italy during World War II. Mendoza was a brave veteran and had complete courage to defend any number of enemies against him.
His most noted engagement was when he attacked the Germans enemies like a one-man army. His phenomenal courage led him to break the German counterattack at Mt. Battaglia in Italy on 4 October 1944.
Mendoza captured the hill where German troops resided with just the help of grenades and a machine gun. Though he was initially awarded Distinguished Service Cross, the Medal of Honor was awarded to his surviving wife in honor of him.
4. Lachhiman Gurung
Now, this man was a perfect patriot for his nation. Lachhiman Gurung was a real hero during World War II. Born in Nepal, Gurung was a Nepalese-British Gurkha recipient.
Raised in Chitwan District of Nepal, Gurung was just 1.5 meters tall. He was not under the recommended height by the British Indian Army. However, he joined the British India Army in December 1940 and served as a rifleman in 8th Gurkha Rifles during World War II.
Further, his most renowned work happens to be his service at Taungdaw, Burma on 12 May 1945. Gurung was positioned at the forward post of his platoon when 200 Japanese soldiers attacked them. In the fierce action, Gurung chose to use grenades to finish them.
However, in the rage of action, two of the grenades exploded right next to him causing severe bruises on the right side of his body. This cost him his entire right portion of his body.
With just half a portion of his body functional, Gurung killed all the Japanese enemies with just a hand. This incident just inspired the whole of British Indian Army forces and was awarded the most prestigious Victoria Cross.
3. Pedro Cano
Pedro Cano is considered one of the most inspiring veterans from World War II who had received a Medal of Honor for his actions. He was born in Nuevo Leon in Mexico on June 19, 1920.
Before joining to serve the United States nation, Cano was farm labor. He moved to the United States when he was about 2 months old. His existence came into the United States Army’s picture only during World War II.
He was deployed to the European theater 4th Infantry Division to serve in the battle of France and Germany. Additionally, one of his most prominent works is his leadership during the Hurtgen Forest against Germany.
He was part of his first Battalion (Company C), which took part in the assault against Germany on 2 December 1944. With having completely no knowledge of mines in the forest, Cano killed the enemy base by just crawling with the help of a rocket launcher.
For his phenomenal work for the United States Army, Cano was awarded a Medal of Honor, twice with Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. It was known that, during the engagement, Cano suffered injuries that led him to permanent disability.
Following the situation, Cano revamped from Army service and joined his farm work. At the age of 32, Pedro Cano died in an automobile accident.
2. Charles Upham
Captain Charles Upham was a New Zealand veteran and is considered the most successful soldier of World War II. He was awarded the Victoria Cross and Bar, a high-profile award in New Zealand.
Additionally, Upham became the only soldier to receive the VC award twice during World War II. He was born on 21 September 1908 in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The most renowned work by captain Charles Upham was when he outperformed his leadership skills by killing German troops. The fight against the Germans dates back to Crete in May 1941.
Further, in Crete warfare, he was known to show incredible leadership and tactical skills. It was also recorded that he had no fear of dangers and was keen to fight endlessly.
He had killed the Germans equipped with machine guns just with the help of a pistol and grenades. Furthermore, his leadership in the First Battle of El Alamein was a pure salute. He accounted for demolishing the German tanks, vehicles, and guns with the help of grenade though he was injured badly.
During the engagement, Upham broke his arm but did not hesitate to help his fellow men who had again regained the forward spot. Such magnificent leadership inspired the entire platoon and the Battalion.
1. Audie Murphy
Audie Murphy is considered by far one of the most inspiring and decorated combat soldiers ever. Additionally, his full name was “Audie Leon Murphy”, born on 20 June 1925.
Murphy was an American soldier and was awarded multiple honors throughout his career. He was awarded as the “most decorated soldier” of World War II by the U.S Army.
Further, Murphy was so proficient in his skill that he was awarded all U.S military combat awards available. Murphy had always dreamt of being a soldier. He tried to enlist all the military forces after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
However, all the services were against him and turned him down due to his underweight and underage. Additionally, he was as well rejected for being under the recommended height too.
With his sister’s affiliation, Murphy made his first entry into the U.S Army on 30 June 1942. This incident was a gamechanger for not just Murphy but the U.S Army itself.
There are many heroic incidents to mention that was led by Murphy. But, one that just fascinates the world is the European Theater assault on Germans.
He was such a badass soldier who was seen from a destroyed burning tank and firing its .50 caliber machine gun. This situation of backfire on Germans killed and wounded over 50 of them. While the action was still on, he insisted on being with his fellow group despite his leg being bruised.