Soldiers

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A soldier may refer to any person who serves in the armed forces of a nation or is engaged in any form of military service for their country. They are people who go to war on behalf of their governments, operate weapons and other kind of equipment used during battles. The term soldier, originated in the 14th century from the Latin word, ‘solidus’. A soldier may be sent to war in different places around the world and he may be required to fight in the front lines of the battle field, risking his life for the safety and protection of his nation , government and its civilians. Every soldier receives military training and is required to follow a strict disciplined regimen and keep his body fit. A soldier is trained to face tough combat situations, equipped with critical skill, analyzing skills and trained to develop leadership skills. The life of a soldier is not easy for it includes the tough decision of sacrificing one’s life if needed for the welfare of the country. Explore and discover some amazing facts about some of the most famous soldiers from across the world with their biographies that include trivia, interesting facts, timeline and life history.
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 1 
Desmond Doss
(U. S. Army Corporal)
Desmond Doss
5
Birthdate: February 7, 1919
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Lynchburg
Died: March 23, 2006

Desmond Doss was a US Army corporal. Doss served as a combat medic in World War II. For his actions during the Battle of Okinawa, Desmond Doss became the only conscientious objector to be honored with the prestigious Medal of Honor as he saved 75 men. His life and work inspired several books and the biographical war film Hacksaw Ridge.

 2 
Chris Kyle
(One of the Deadliest Snipers in U.S. Military History)
Chris Kyle
15
Birthdate: April 8, 1974
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Odessa, Texas, United States
Died: February 2, 2013

A U.S. Navy SEAL sniper, Chris Kyle was the recipient of one Silver Star Medal and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He was a respected figure who had performed many acts of heroism. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 2009. In an unfortunate turn of events, he was murdered by a former Marine in 2013.

 3 
Audie Murphy
(One of the Most Decorated American Combat Soldiers of World War II)
Audie Murphy
6
Birthdate: June 20, 1925
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kingston, Texas, United States
Died: May 28, 1971

Audie Murphy displayed such valor as an American soldier in World War II that he did not have problems establishing a successful acting career after the war, as he was already famous for his heroism which he demonstrated by single-handedly holding off many German soldiers for an hour before leading a successful counterattack despite being wounded and out of ammunition.

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 4 
Simo Häyhä
(Finnish Military Sniper in World War II)
Simo Häyhä
4
Birthdate: December 17, 1905
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Rautjärvi, Finland
Died: April 1, 2002
Simo Häyhä was a Finnish sniper who served in the Winter War against the Soviet Union, in 1939–1940. He had killed 500 men in the war and received many awards for his exploits. His face was disfigured by a Red Army bullet, and he later retired to a farm.
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 5 
Pat Tillman
(American Professional Football Player Who Joined Army After September 11, 2001 Attacks)
Pat Tillman
6
Birthdate: November 6, 1976
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Fremont, California, United States
Died: April 22, 2004

Pat Tillman was an American football player who represented the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. Tillman's decision to join the US Army after the September 11, 2001 attacks proved to be costly as he died in Afghanistan as a result of friendly fire. He became the first football player since Bob Kalsu to be killed in combat.

 6 
Bruce Kingsbury
(Victoria Cross Winner)
Bruce Kingsbury
4
Birthdate: January 8, 1918
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Melbourne
Died: August 29, 1942

Bruce Kingsbury was an Australian soldier best remembered for his efforts during the Second World War. Kingsbury lost his life while counter-attacking the Japanese forces during the Battle of Isurava. Kingsbury's counter-attack proved beneficial for the Australians and his bravery during the battle was honored with the Victoria Cross. 

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 7 
Davy Crockett
(Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee from 1827 to 1831)
Davy Crockett
5
Birthdate: August 17, 1786
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Limestone, Tennessee, United States
Died: March 6, 1836
American folk hero Davy Crockett, or the "King of the Wild Frontier,” was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee and part of the Texas Revolution. He opposed the Indian Removal Act. He was killed by the Mexican army the Battle of the Alamo.
 8 
Horatio Nelson
5
Birthdate: September 29, 1758
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Burnham Thorpe
Died: October 21, 1805

Horatio Nelson was a British flag officer whose inspirational leadership brought about several British naval victories, especially during the Napoleonic Wars. Regarded as one of Britain's heroic figures, Horatio Nelson's legacy remains influential and several monuments, including the Nelson Monument and Nelson's Column, have been created in his memory.

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 9 
Hernán Cortés
( Spanish Conquistador Who Led an Expedition that Caused the Fall of the Aztec Empire)
Hernán Cortés
5
Birthdate: 1485 AD
Birthplace: Medellín, Spain
Died: December 2, 1547
Spanish "Conquistador" Hernán Cortés was one of the pioneers of the Spanish colonization of the Americas. He conquered the Aztec Empire and helped bring a massive portion of Mexico under the King of Castile’s rule in 16th century. As a reward, he was named the Marqués del Valle de Oaxaca.
 10 
Marcus Luttrell
(Retired Navy SEAL Who Received the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for His Actions Against Taliban in 2005)
Marcus Luttrell
4
Birthdate: November 7, 1975
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Houston, Texas, United States
Recipient of Purple Heart and Navy Cross for his actions against Taliban fighters in 2005, Marcus Luttrell became a SO1 in the United States Navy by the end of his eight-year career. He was the lone survivour during the Operation Red Wings. He is the co-host of television show After Action.
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 11 
Buffalo Bill
(American Showman, Bison Hunter and One of the Most Famous Figures of the American Old West,)
Buffalo Bill
4
Birthdate: February 26, 1846
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Scott County, Iowa, United States
Died: January 10, 1917
William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody was a legendary showman and bison hunter who had also been a Union soldier. He began working as a freight carrier at 11 and later performed in Wild West-themed shows. He later formed Buffalo Bill's Wild West and toured across the U.S. and Europe.
 12 
Claus von Stauffenberg
(German Army Officer Who Failed in His Attempt to Assassinate Adolf Hitler)
Claus von Stauffenberg
7
Birthdate: November 15, 1907
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Jettingen, Germany
Died: July 1, 1944

German army officer Claus von Stauffenberg, a significant figure of the German Resistance Movement within the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany, attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler in July 1944, but failed. He was executed by a firing squad soon after Operation Valkyrie. He had earlier actively participated in World War II.

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 13 
Tyrone Power
(Actor)
Tyrone Power
4
Birthdate: May 5, 1914
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Died: November 15, 1958
 14 
Jason Robards
(Actor)
Jason Robards
4
Birthdate: July 26, 1922
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: December 26, 2000
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 15 
Carlos Hathcock
(Military Personnel)
Carlos Hathcock
5
Birthdate: May 20, 1942
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Little Rock, Arkansas
Died: February 23, 1999
Carlos Hathcock was a U.S. Marine sniper who had killed at least 93 enemy personnel in the Vietnam War. He inspired the 1993 movie Sniper. His signature style of attaching a feather to his bush hat earned him the name “White Feather.” He later had a rifle named after him.
 16 
Peter Townsend
(aviator, writer)
Peter Townsend
8
Birthdate: November 22, 1914
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Yangon
Died: June 19, 1995
 17 
Crazy Horse
(Military Leader, Folk Hero)
Crazy Horse
4
Birthplace: Rapid City, South Dakota
Died: September 5, 1877

Nineteenth-century Lakota war lord Crazy Horse, of the Oglala subtribe, is remembered as a legendary hero who fought against white encroachment of Native American territories. He was part of the Black Hills War and the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He died fighting at Camp Robinson, in modern-day Nebraska.

 18 
Bowe Bergdahl
(Soldier)
Bowe Bergdahl
6
Birthdate: March 28, 1986
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Sun Valley, Idaho, United States
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 19 
Jack Churchill
(British Army Officer Who Fought in the World War II)
Jack Churchill
4
Birthdate: September 16, 1906
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Died: March 8, 1996

Better known as Mad Jack or Fighting Jack, British Army officer Jack Churchill was an iconic example of a person fighting wars on his own terms. He popularized carrying swords and bagpipes to battles and killed his enemies with his longbow. He inspired a comic strip and several books, too.

 20 
Michael P. Murphy
(United States Navy SEAL Officer)
Michael P. Murphy
5
Birthdate: May 7, 1976
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Smithtown, New York, United States
Died: June 28, 2005

Michael P. Murphy was a US Navy SEAL officer. In 2007, Murphy became the first member of the US Navy to be honored with the prestigious Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. He received the award posthumously for his participation in many War on Terrorism missions in Afghanistan, where he died fighting Taliban forces, at the age of 29.

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 21 
John Smith
(British Explorer)
John Smith
4
Birthdate: January 6, 1580
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Lincolnshire, England
Died: June 21, 1631

John Smith was an English explorer, soldier, colonial governor, author, and Admiral of New England. In the early-17th century, Smith played a major role in the establishment of the first indissoluble English settlement in America, which came to be known as the English colony at Jamestown. Apart from helping Jamestown survive various challenges, Smith's leadership also helped the colony flourish.

 22 
John Basilone
(United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant)
John Basilone
4
Birthdate: November 4, 1916
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Buffalo, New York, United States
Died: February 19, 1945

John Basilone was a US Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who played a crucial role in the Battle for Henderson Field, for which he was honored with the Medal of Honor. Basilone died during the Battle of Iwo Jima and was posthumously honored with the Navy Cross, becoming the only enlisted Marine to receive these two decorations in World War II.

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 23 
Newton Knight
(Military Leader)
Newton Knight
4
Birthdate: November 10, 1829
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Jones County
Died: 1922 AD

Newton Knight was an American soldier, farmer, and Southern Unionist in Mississippi. He is best remembered for leading a band of Confederate army deserters known as the Knight Company, who opposed the Confederacy during the American Civil War. His life and work have inspired films, such as Tap Roots and Free State of Jones.

 24 
Dakota Meyer
(United States Marine Corps)
Dakota Meyer
5
Birthdate: June 26, 1988
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Columbia, Kentucky, United States

Retired United States Marine, Dakota Meyer, is a veteran of the War in Afghanistan. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Ganjgal, becoming the second-youngest living Medal of Honor recipient. Following his retirement, he sought help for post-traumatic stress disorder. He advocates for legalizing the medical use of cannabis.

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 25 
Alvin York
(One of the Most Decorated United States Army Soldiers of World War I)
Alvin York
4
Birthdate: December 13, 1887
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Fentress County, Tennessee, United States
Died: September 2, 1964

One of the most decorated United States Army soldiers of World War I, Alvin York is best remembered for leading an attack on a German machine-gun nest. The son of a poor blacksmith, he started working as a child to contribute to his family income. After joining the army, he became known for his courage and valor.

 26 
Lyudmila Pavlichenko
(One of the Most Successful Female Snipers in Recorded History)
Lyudmila Pavlichenko
8
Birthdate: July 12, 1916
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Bila Tserkva, Ukraine
Died: October 27, 1974

Soviet sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko belonged to the Red Army during World War II and is believed to have killed over 300 people. Also known as Lady Death, she was awarded the Order of Lenin and was made a Hero of the Soviet Union. She later became a Soviet Navy researcher.

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 27 
Rory Stewart
(British Politician Who Served as Minister in Theresa May's Cabinet)
Rory Stewart
4
Birthdate: January 3, 1973
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: British Hong Kong

The son of a soldier and intelligence officer, Rory Stewart was educated at Eton and Oxford and was also a tutor to princes William and Harry. Apart from being a diplomat and MP later, he also traveled across several countries on foot and wrote about this remarkable journey in a bestselling book.

 28 
Hal Moore
(Former lieutenant colonel in command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, at the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965, during the American War in Vietnam)
Hal Moore
6
Birthdate: February 13, 1922
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Bardstown, Kentucky, United States
Died: February 10, 2017
 29 
Robert A. Heinlein
(American Novelist Best Known as the 'Dean of Science Fiction Writers')
Robert A. Heinlein
5
Birthdate: July 7, 1907
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Butler, Missouri, United States
Died: May 8, 1988

Robert A. Heinlein was an American author, naval officer, and aeronautical engineer. Heinlein is credited with pioneering a literary subgenre called hard science fiction as he was among the first to stress the importance of scientific accuracy in fiction. Robert A. Heinlein is one of the most influential science-fiction writers of all time.

 30 
Robert Falcon Scott
(British Royal Naval Officer and Explorer)
Robert Falcon Scott
4
Birthdate: June 6, 1868
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Plymouth, Devon, England
Died: March 29, 1912

Robert Falcon Scott was an explorer and Royal Navy officer. He is remembered for leading two expeditions to the Antarctic regions, the second of which was the ill-fated Terra Nova expedition. Although Scott and his companions died during the second expedition, they helped discover the first Antarctic fossils, which proved that the place was once forested.

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 31 
Roy Benavidez
(Soldier)
Roy Benavidez
5
Birthdate: August 5, 1935
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Cuero
Died: November 29, 1998
 32 
Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.
(United States Naval Aviator and Eldest Son of Joseph P. Kennedy SR and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy)
Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.
4
Birthdate: July 25, 1915
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Hull, Massachusetts, United States
Died: August 12, 1944

Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. was a US Navy lieutenant. The eldest of the famous Kennedy siblings, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. was groomed by his father from a very young age to become the president of the United States. After his death during World War II at age 29, John F. Kennedy took it upon himself to materialize his father's dreams.

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 33 
John Wooden
(Basketball coach)
John Wooden
4
Birthdate: October 14, 1910
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Hall, Indiana, United States
Died: June 4, 2010
 34 
Lloyd Austin
(Military personnel)
Lloyd Austin
5
Birthdate: August 8, 1953
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Mobile
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 35 
Kit Carson
(Explorer & Soldier)
Kit Carson
4
Birthdate: December 24, 1809
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Madison County
Died: May 23, 1868

A frontiersman and a fur-trapper, Kit Carson played a major role in the US’s westward expansion. Mostly known for guiding explorer John C. Frémont, he was criticized for his contribution to the displacement of native Americans as an Indian agent. He became part of folk legend for his exploits as a fighter, too.

 36 
Tony Lip
(Actor)
Tony Lip
4
Birthdate: July 30, 1930
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, USA
Died: January 4, 2013
 37 
Nathan Hale
(American Soldier, Patriot, and Spy for the Continental Army During the American Revolutionary War)
Nathan Hale
4
Birthdate: June 6, 1755
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Coventry, Connecticut, United States
Died: September 22, 1776

Nathan Hale was an American soldier, Patriot, and spy who worked for the Continental Army. He played an important role during the American Revolutionary War, volunteering for an intelligence-gathering mission. Nathan Hale was captured and executed by the British in 1776. Hale is regarded as an American hero for his important contribution during the American Revolutionary War. 

 38 
Jeffrey R. MacDonald
(Military physician, Soldier)
Jeffrey R. MacDonald
4
Birthdate: October 12, 1943
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: United States of America
 39 
Erich Hartmann
(Aviator, Officer)
Erich Hartmann
8
Birthdate: April 19, 1922
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Weissach
Died: September 20, 1993

Remembered as the most successful fighter pilot in the history of aerial warfare, Erich Hartmann completed 1,400 missions in his Messerschmitt Bf 109 and shot down 352 Allied planes. Known for his dogfighting strategy, he inspired the popular biography The Blond Knight of Germany and became a flight instructor post-retirement.

 40 
Sterling Hayden
(Actor, Author, Sailor and an Office of Strategic Services' Agent During World War II)
Sterling Hayden
5
Birthdate: March 26, 1916
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Montclair, New Jersey, United States
Died: May 23, 1986

Sterling Hayden mostly appeared in Westerns and film noir of the 1950s. He had also served in World War II. He gained fame with Stanley Kubrick's The Killing and Dr. Strangelove. He was also a sailor and once sailed to Tahiti to shoot a film that eventually remained unfinished.

 41 
Fess Parker
(Actor)
Fess Parker
4
Birthdate: August 16, 1924
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Died: March 18, 2010
 42 
Jessica Lynch
(Soldier)
Jessica Lynch
4
Birthdate: April 26, 1983
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Palestine, Wirt County, West Virginia
 43 
Bob Gunton
(Actor)
Bob Gunton
4
Birthdate: November 15, 1945
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Santa Monica, California, USA
 44 
Richard E. Byrd
(American Naval Officer and Explorer Known for His Expedition of the Antarctic Plateau)
Richard E. Byrd
4
Birthdate: October 25, 1888
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Winchester, Virginia, United States
Died: March 11, 1957

American naval officer Richard E. Byrd is remembered for his pioneering expeditions to Antarctica, using airplanes. Though he was awarded a US Congressional Medal of Honor for completing the first flight over the North Pole, it was later revealed that he had returned when he was 150 miles away from the destination.

 45 
Doris Miller
(Navy Man)
Doris Miller
4
Birthdate: October 12, 1919
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Waco, Texas, United States
Died: November 24, 1943

Doris Miller was a US Navy cook third class. He became the first black American to be honored with the Navy Cross for saving the lives of many sailors aboard West Virginia by manning an anti-aircraft machine gun to shoot down Japanese planes during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was killed in action while serving in World War II.

 46 
Nicholas Colasanto
4
Birthdate: January 19, 1924
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Died: February 12, 1985
 47 
Vikram Batra
Vikram Batra
5
Birthdate: September 9, 1974
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Palampur
Died: July 7, 1999
 48 
Skanderbeg
(Military Commander)
Skanderbeg
5
Birthdate: May 6, 1405
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Principality of Kastrioti (Albania)
Died: January 17, 1468
Skanderbeg was initially a hostage at the Ottoman court and served the Ottoman sultan for about 20 years. He was named the governor of the Sanjak of Dibra, following which he became the captain general under King Alfonso V of Northern Albania and fought against the Ottoman forces.
 49 
Wilfred Owen
6
Birthdate: March 18, 1893
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Oswestry
Died: November 4, 1918

Wilfred Owen was an English soldier and poet. One of the most important poets during World War I, Owen wrote about the horrors of gas warfare. His life and career inspired a docudrama titled Wilfred Owen: A Remembrance Tale where he was portrayed by Samuel Barnett. In 1989, the Wilfred Owen Association was established to commemorate his life and poetry.

 50 
Guan Yu
(Military general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China)
Guan Yu
4
Birthdate: 0160 AD
Birthplace: Yuncheng, Shanxi, China
Died: 0220 AD

Guan Yu was nicknamed Beautiful Beard for his long, flowing beard. Featured in literary works such as Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Guan was a Chinese military general who served Liu Bei of the Eastern Han dynasty. Lord Guan is now revered as a deity in Chinese folk culture.