Rick Rescorla

Col., U.S. Army

Called by Lt. Gen. Hal Moore “the best combat platoon leader I ever saw,” Rescorla’s excellent leadership enabled his men who were surrounded by enemy troops to defeat forces 5-6 times their size. His habit of keeping up others courage and morale through song served him well in Vietnam and later as the head of security for Morgan Stanley in the South Tower of the WTC on 9/11. His actions saved the lives of 2,700 people that day.