essay on war heroes

22 War Heroes And Their Extraordinary Tales That Secured Their Place In History

By Farina E

Published on January 4, 2024

From Desmond Doss to Audie Murphy, the greatest war heroes in history gave their all for their country and embodied bravery with their remarkable acts of selflessness.

Defining history's greatest war heroes isn't always straightforward. The conventional traits associated with heroes, such as bravery, don't always apply in the chaos of war, where every day presents the frightening possibility of losing one's life.

As World War II veteran William Carpenter once remarked, "You show me a man who claims to have been brave [during World War II], and I'll show you a liar. Every one of us was afraid. Even the Germans were afraid."

While we might assume that exceptional skill with a weapon is a crucial factor for war heroes, some of the most extraordinary ones never even picked up arms. Take Desmond Doss, a "conscientious objector" who abhorred violence and weapons. Yet, during World War II at the Battle of Okinawa, he saved between 50 and 100 men without ever firing a shot, utilizing his skills as a medic.

Then there are those who transformed into war heroes by assuming new identities. Consider Deborah Sampson, who disguised herself as a man to fight in the Revolutionary War, or Irish-born Jennie Hodgers, who became Albert Cashier, a man, to serve in the American Civil War.

On the other hand, some war heroes defied conventions on their paths to heroism. "Mad Jack" Churchill charged into World War II battles armed with a broadsword or a longbow, while George Henry Thomas, a Southern general, fought for the Union Army.

Controversial war heroes also exist. John Rabe was an enthusiastic Nazi, yet he saved hundreds of thousands of Chinese people when the Japanese invaded Nanjing. Japanese soldier Hiroo Onoda continued fighting World War II for three decades after the war officially ended.

Some war heroes operated covertly, like the spy Virginia Hall, while others showcased their prowess in the skies, like "Ace of Aces" Richard Bong. They are a diverse group. However, what unites all these war heroes is their willingness to step up when duty called.

So, what truly defines a war hero? Explore the gallery above to discover some of history's most intriguing war heroes who fought and sometimes made the ultimate sacrifice for what they believed was right.

John Basilone

American Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone was a unique hero during World War II. He earned both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross, a rare distinction among Marines. At the Battle of Guadalcanal, Sergeant Basilone valiantly defended a critical pass with his gun team. Despite being offered a safer training position, he chose to return to combat. Tragically, he gave his life on the battlefield at Iwo Jima.

Adrian Carton de Wiart

Adrian Carton de Wiart was an extraordinary soldier who served in four wars spanning six decades. Born in Belgium and a British Army officer, he endured a staggering 11 severe injuries, including gunshot wounds to the face, head, hand, stomach, leg, groin, and ankle. He survived multiple plane crashes and even a broken back. Remarkably, despite these harrowing ordeals, he remained unwavering in his commitment to military service.

Jacqueline Cochran

Pioneer aviator Jacqueline Cochran led the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during WWII, where she dedicated herself to training pilots for the program. Her exceptional contributions earned her the U.S. Distinguished Service Medal in 1945. Subsequently, she joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a lieutenant colonel and achieved her Air Force Command Pilot Wings, along with three Distinguished Flying Cross medals.

Desmond Doss

Desmond Doss was a fearless WWII medic who staunchly adhered to his beliefs as a conscientious objector, refusing to carry a weapon. Despite this, he displayed extraordinary courage by single-handedly saving the lives of 50 to 100 American soldiers on the treacherous Maeda Escarpment of Okinawa in 1945. Doss's unwavering dedication earned him the Medal of Honor, marking him as the first conscientious objector to receive this prestigious honor.

Witold Pilecki

Polish Army Captain Witold Pilecki volunteered to infiltrate Auschwitz to expose its horrors to the world. Inside the notorious camp, he organized a secret network of prisoners in service of the Polish resistance. Tragically, the underground army initially doubted the severity of the camp's conditions and dismissed Pilecki's reports. Despite his daring escape from Auschwitz and attempts to liberate it from the outside, he was captured during the Warsaw Uprising and ultimately executed by the Soviets on fabricated charges.

Audie Murphy

Audie Murphy, a young and unassuming Texan, emerged as one of WWII's most highly decorated heroes due to his exceptional combat skills. He earned the prestigious Medal of Honor by courageously stalling a German assault. Despite being wounded and left alone with only a single firearm, Murphy valiantly climbed aboard an abandoned, blazing tank destroyer, holding off the German forces long enough for the Allies to launch a successful counterattack.

Upon returning home as a celebrated hero, Murphy embarked on an acting career and portrayed himself in the film "To Hell and Back."

Deborah Sampson

Deborah Sampson boldly concealed her identity as a woman for two years while serving in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Even after being shot in battle, she refused to reveal her secret, extracting the bullet from her own leg to avoid discovery. Several years later, while gravely ill, her true gender was uncovered, leading to an honorable discharge. Sampson became one of the earliest female lecturers, while her husband notably became the first recipient of a widow's pension.

Noor Inayat Khan

Descended from Indian royalty, Noor Inayat Khan joined the British efforts in WWII, not as an advocate for the country but as a staunch opponent of fascism. In 1940, she enlisted in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, serving as a wireless radio operator and a member of the Special Operations Executive. Khan operated as the sole radio operator in Paris for an arduous four months until her betrayal by a double agent. She endured unimaginable torture, solitary confinement, and ultimately met her demise through execution at a concentration camp in 1944.

During his brief tenure in WWI, Frank Luke epitomized the audacious image of a fighter pilot by relentlessly targeting heavily defended German observation balloons. In just 30 hours of flight time across ten missions within nine intense combat days, Luke impressively downed a remarkable 14 enemy balloons and four aircraft.

Tragically, on his final mission on September 29, 1918, Luke was shot while in the air. Despite managing to land his plane near Murvaux, France, he succumbed to his wounds. His unwavering bravery posthumously earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Jennie Hodgers/Albert Cashier

Born in Ireland in 1843, Jennie Hodgers embarked on a new life in the United States, assuming the identity of Albert Cashier, a man. Cashier courageously enlisted in the American Civil War, serving in the Union Army as part of the 95th Illinois Infantry. Revered as "one of the boys," Cashier actively participated in 40 engagements over a span of three years.

Cathay Williams/William Cathay

In 1866, Cathay Williams broke barriers as the first African-American woman to enlist in the U.S. Army. After the Civil War, she joined the 39th U.S. Infantry Company A, an all-Black regiment known as the Buffalo Soldiers, using the name William Cathay.

Her military service lasted only two of her intended three years before she fell ill, was discovered, and sent back home. Unfortunately, Williams faced declining health after her discharge, and she passed away around 1893 without receiving military disability payments.

George Henry Thomas

Despite numerous Union victories during the Civil War, General George Henry Thomas remains less celebrated than his contemporaries, such as Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman. Thomas's Southern background limited the recognition he deserved during his lifetime.

Henry Johnson

As a member of the Harlem Hellfighters, a Black regiment, Henry Johnson endured 21 wounds while bravely defending against an enemy raid in the Argonne Forest during WWI. His wartime nickname, "Black Death," symbolized his courage. Unfortunately, Johnson's discharge papers contained errors that omitted his injuries, leading to the denial of his disability pay and Purple Heart. He passed away at the age of 32, but his military legacy endures through his son, Herman Johnson, who served with the famed Tuskegee Airmen.

Lydia Darragh

During the Revolutionary War, British troops unknowingly targeted Lydia Darragh's home in Philadelphia for a meeting. Darragh overheard their plans for a surprise attack and, the following day, left her home to inform American officers. Her courageous act ensured that General George Washington was prepared to counter the British advance.

"Mad Jack" Churchill

WWII war hero Jack Churchill stood out for his unconventional methods. Instead of using rifles or tanks, this British Army officer wielded a Scottish broadsword and occasionally a longbow.

As a commando, Churchill gained notoriety for his fearless charges into battle, accompanied by bagpipe music and grenade-throwing. Even after enduring time at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, from which he managed to escape, he continued his military adventures, walking an impressive 93 miles to rejoin the Army in Italy.

Virginia Hall

Virginia Hall earned the Gestapo's title of "the most dangerous of all Allied spies." They were determined to capture her, identifying her by the limp she had due to a prosthetic leg.

Hall made history as the first female operative of Britain's Special Operations Executive sent into France as an Allied spy. She operated there for three years until her daring escape on foot through the treacherous Pyrenees Mountains. Later, Hall requested to return to occupied France, working as a wireless radio operator to report German troop movements before joining the CIA in 1951.

Matthew Urban

Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Urban's WWII tour resulted in seven Purple Hearts. Despite suffering critical injuries repeatedly, he always insisted on staying on the battlefield with his fellow soldiers.

Urban's unwavering dedication earned him the nickname "the Ghost." He once left an English hospital without permission, hitchhiked back to France, and rejoined his regiment to finish the fight. Surviving shrapnel and bullets, including a shot to the neck, Urban emerged as an American hero.

John Rabe may appear an unconventional war hero at first glance, given his affiliation with the Nazis.

However, Rabe demonstrated his heroism during the Japanese occupation of Nanjing in 1937. Initially in China for business purposes, Rabe went above and beyond by providing refuge for around 200,000 people facing imminent danger. He even used his Nazi credentials to protect women from sexual assault.

Richard Bong

Known as the "Ace of Aces," Major Richard (Dick) Bong achieved an astonishing 40 aircraft kills during his WWII pilot career, earning the Medal of Honor. On one remarkable occasion, he even shot a crocodile from the air when he noticed it following his fellow soldiers.

Bong was selected to test a P-80, the Army Air Forces' first jet, on August 6, 1945. Unfortunately, the test ended tragically, costing Bong his life. His death received little attention at the time, as it coincided with the bombing of Hiroshima.

Ruby Bradley

Serving as a surgical nurse during WWII, Ruby Bradley endured capture three weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor and was taken to a POW camp in Manila. In the camp, she became known as an "angel in fatigues" as she performed over 230 surgeries and assisted in childbirths under the camp's dire conditions, all while smuggling in food and medical supplies.

Five years later, Bradley joined the front lines of the Korean War as the Chief Nurse of the 171st Evacuation Hospital. Faced with 100,000 advancing Chinese soldiers, she refused to leave until all the injured and ill had been evacuated. Bradley narrowly escaped as an enemy shell destroyed her ambulance just as she boarded her plane.

Hiroo Onoda

For 29 years following WWII's end, Hiroo Onoda steadfastly refused to accept that the war was over. He continued to wage a one-man war, hiding in the jungles of the Philippines.

Onoda's belief in the ongoing conflict only ended when his former superior officer made a special trip to his hideout to confirm the war's conclusion. Once convinced, Onoda was relieved of his duty. He was eventually pardoned for his actions during his prolonged belief in the ongoing war.

Eugene Bullard

Eugene Bullard, the first African American fighter pilot, flew for France during WWI because the U.S. did not accept his service.

Flying under the French flag, Bullard bravely completed 25 to 27 missions in an aircraft bearing the motto, "Tout sang que coule est rouge," which means "All blood runs red." In WWII, he also served as an Allied spy in Paris, leaving an indelible mark on history.

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Coming Home To Less Than A Hero's Welcome

Karl Marlantes

Karl Marlantes receives the Navy Cross in the winter of 1969-70. USMC hide caption

Karl Marlantes receives the Navy Cross in the winter of 1969-70.

See A Slideshow About U.S. Veterans

Karl Marlantes is the author of What It Is Like To Go To War.

I returned to America in October of 1969 after 13 months as a Marine in Vietnam. While I was there, I would comfort myself by imagining all the girls I ever knew hugging me in a huge warm group embrace. Somehow, I thought something similar would be waiting for me when I came home.

I was totally unprepared for what actually happened. My big brother picked me up at Travis Air Force Base in California. As we started to leave the terminal he put his hand on my shoulder and warned me that there might be trouble outside. "Trouble?" I asked.

I'd just gotten back from Vietnam. But the war held no hurt or humiliation like what happened as we drove through a crowd of protesters shouting obscenities at us, flipping us the bird, and pounding on my brother's 1960 Valiant with their fists and protest signs. I can still see the hate-filled face of a protester snarling at me through the passenger-side window. I can still feel my utter bewilderment and pain.

There were no hugs. My long imagined safe harbor was sewn with mines of hate.

This kind of thing no longer happens. I'm immensely happy that America has learned to distinguish the kids fighting our wars from the adults making the war policies. But I worry that instead, we have become smugly complacent.

These days, there are yellow ribbons, beer commercials showing people clapping at airports, and banners on freeway overpasses. There is the well-intended "thank you for your service," and a hasty handshake. I've even received these, 40 years late. I know it is done with kind intentions, so I smile and say thank you. But inside I feel hollow — even slightly embarrassed. I know too many people who have died doing what I am getting thanked for. I also know, having gone through four decades of trying to reintegrate into my own culture, that ribbons and handshakes fall way short of what returning veterans actually need. A real "welcome home" is being helped with these challenges.

Karl Marlantes is also the author of the best-selling Vietnam War novel Matterhorn . Devon Marlantes hide caption

Karl Marlantes is also the author of the best-selling Vietnam War novel Matterhorn .

We veterans are just part of a complex and interconnected web of people who voted for the policymakers who decided war was the right response, who paid their taxes to finance it, who grew the food, who financed the factories where the weapons were built or who taught the scientists who designed them. The veterans' part of this web is that we were the ones who pulled the trigger at the end of the line — and carry the burden of that for everyone else.

I recently shared a radio interview with a young veteran from Afghanistan. He'd been back two years. While we were waiting to go on the air he told me that three of his friends from his own small unit had already committed suicide. Two years. Although suicide statistics for veterans are very difficult to pin down — is a drug overdose a suicide? How about cirrhosis of the liver? — Veterans Affairs statistics from 2010 show that 18 veterans commit suicide a day.

Clapping at airports and a handshake is way better than what happened after Vietnam, but clearly it isn't enough.

Our troops are coming home and our part of the killing over there is ending. Our work to end the killing over here is just beginning.

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The Heroes of the Trojan War: Hector & Achilles

This essay about the Trojan War heroes, Hector and Achilles, explores their contrasting characteristics and the deep meanings behind their actions. Hector is portrayed as the epitome of honor and duty, fighting for his city and people out of love and responsibility. Achilles, on the other hand, is driven by personal pride and the quest for glory, which ultimately leads to introspection about the true cost of his desires. The essay illuminates the complex nature of heroism through their stories, showing how it can manifest in various forms and is often intertwined with tragedy and the human condition. The narrative of Hector and Achilles not only recounts their legendary battle but also reflects on broader themes of honor, duty, and the personal versus communal motivations in the face of war.

How it works

In the tapestry of Greek mythology, few tales are as vividly colored or as densely populated with legendary figures as that of the Trojan War. Among the myriad of warriors, two heroes stand out for their valor, prowess, and the tragic depth of their narratives: Hector of Troy and Achilles of Greece. Their stories, interwoven through the ancient epic of Homer’s Iliad, offer not only thrilling accounts of heroic deeds but also profound insights into the human condition.

Hector, the crown prince of Troy, embodies the ideals of honor, loyalty, and duty.

Unlike many of his mythological peers, Hector’s heroism is not marked by the lust for glory or the pursuit of personal vendettas. Instead, his heroism is deeply rooted in his commitment to his city and his people. Hector is the stalwart defender of Troy, fighting not for the spoils of war but for the future of his family and the survival of his city. His confrontations on the battlefield are driven by a deep sense of responsibility and a genuine love for his people. Even in the face of inevitable doom, Hector does not waver; his courage and determination only seem to strengthen. This selflessness and dedication mark him as a paragon of the true heroic spirit.

On the other side of the battlefield stands Achilles, a figure whose name has become synonymous with unmatched martial skill and the quintessential warrior’s rage. Unlike Hector, Achilles’ motivations are intensely personal, driven by pride and the desire for eternal glory. His prowess in battle is unrivaled, his name feared and respected by allies and enemies alike. However, Achilles’ tale is also one of profound sorrow and introspection. His wrath, while devastating to his foes, ultimately leads to his own suffering and the loss of those closest to him. The death of his dear friend Patroclus serves as a brutal reminder of the human costs of war, compelling Achilles to reflect on the true meaning of honor and the fleeting nature of life.

The dual narratives of Hector and Achilles serve as a poignant exploration of heroism in its many forms. Where Hector represents the heroism of duty and the defense of one’s home and people, Achilles embodies the heroism of individual valor and the pursuit of personal glory. Yet, both paths are fraught with sacrifice and heartbreak, illustrating the complex and often tragic nature of the heroic ideal.

The confrontation between Hector and Achilles is not merely a clash of champions; it is a collision of ideals, a moment where personal honor meets communal duty. Their final battle, a crescendo of the long and bloody siege of Troy, is as much a philosophical debate as it is a physical duel. In Hector’s fall, we are reminded of the human cost of war, the tragic fate of those who bear the weight of leadership. In Achilles’ moment of victory, we see the hollowness of revenge and the dawning realization of his own mortality.

The stories of Hector and Achilles transcend the bounds of mythology to touch upon timeless themes of honor, duty, and the human capacity for both great virtue and self-destruction. Their tales remind us that heroism is multifaceted, often messy, and invariably human. As symbols, Hector and Achilles continue to inspire and provoke reflection on the nature of courage, the responsibilities of strength, and the eternal quest for meaning amidst the chaos of existence.

In the end, the legends of Hector and Achilles are not just about the heroes of the Trojan War. They are about us, about our struggles with pride and duty, about our search for significance in a world often indifferent to individual desires. Through the lens of these ancient warriors, we are invited to ponder our own definitions of heroism and to consider the legacies we wish to leave behind.

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Heroes: Exploring the Theme of War

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

4 December 2013

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10 Army Heroes and Their Extra Ordinary Tales of Bravery

Far from home and loved ones, these heroes sacrifice their own lives so the entire nation can sleep in peace. The stories of their courage and passion are larger than life. Read on and be inspired by 10 such army heroes – they are legends whose tales will not just make your chests swell with pride, but whose sacrifices will leave your eyes a little moist.

T hey are men of steel, standing tall in the harshest of conditions. They disregard freezing cold temperatures and scorching heat to always remain brave, awake and devoted towards us.

They are all heroes, each and every one of them. But there are a few whose stories have become the stuff of legends, stories that deserve to be shared and told over and over again:

1. Captain Vikram Batra

Source: Wikimedia

Born in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, Captain Vikram Batra of 13 J&K Rifles, is known as the hero of the Kargil war. He led one of the toughest war operations in Kashmir, and was also called Sher Shah (in the intercepted messages of the Pakistani army).

He was instrumental in recapturing Peak 5140, which is located at an altitude of 17,000 feet. During this mission, Batra was seriously injured but still managed to kill three enemy soldiers in close combat. After capturing Peak 5140, he went on yet another difficult mission to recapture Peak 4875 on July 7, 1999. Batra made a call to his father before he left and told him about the crucial mission. Hardly did he know that this would be his last call home.

It was one of the most difficult missions the Indian army attempted because the Pakistani forces were sitting above the peak at 16,000 feet and the climb gradient was 80 degrees. On their way up, one of Batra’s fellow officers was severely injured. Batra set out to save him. When a subedar tried to help him save the officer, Batra pushed him aside, saying, “You have children, step aside.” He saved his fellow soldier but was killed while clearing enemy positions. Batra’s last words were “Jai Mata Di.”

A famous quote by Batra is: “Either I will come back after hoisting the tricolour (Indian flag), or I will come back wrapped in it, but I will be back for sure.” He was honoured with the Param Vir Chakra.

Quick fact: The 2003 Hindi film LOC Kargil had a character based on Captain Batra, played by Abhishek Bachchan.

2. Major General Ian Cardozo

Source: Facebook

Major General Ian Cardozo, who has many achievements to his name, will always be known for his immense courage in the 1971 war with Pakistan. He was, at the time, a young major with 5 Gorkha Rifles. During the war, he stepped on a landmine and severely injured his leg. When even the doctor could not cut his leg, Cardozo asked for a khukri (the Gorkha knife) and cut his own leg off, saying, “Now go and bury it!”

The incident did not deter Cardozo from going on to serve his country. Through sheer willpower and determination, he continued to perform his duties as a soldier and became the first disabled officer in the Indian Army to command an infantry battalion and a brigade. In spite of not being physically at par with other officers, he defeated many ‘two-legged’ soldiers to come first in many fitness tests during his stint in the army.

3. Brigadier Mohammad Usman

Born in Bibipur, Uttar Pradesh, this man of steel joined the Indian army in 1934. During the Indo-Pakistan war of 1947/48, Brigadier Usman repulsed a fierce attack on Naushera and Jhangar, two highly strategic locations in Jammu and Kashmir, and was named by his fellow soldiers ‘The Lion of Naushera.’

At the time of the Partition, he was made the offer of becoming the Chief of the Pakistani Army but he chose to stay in India. He left the Baloch regiment of Pakistan and was inducted into the Dogra regiment in India. After the Battle of Naushera, where the Pakistanis suffered heavy casualties at his hands, the same country that had courted him to become the chief of the army, now went ahead and placed prize money of Rs. 50,000 on his head.

Brigadier Usman was not just a fierce soldier but also a compassionate man. He never got married and used to donate a large part of his salary to support poor children and pay for their education. This inspiring and exemplary officer of the Indian Army died on July 3, 1948, defending Jhangar. His last words were, “I am dying but let not the territory we were fighting for fall to the enemy.”

He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously for his great courage and leadership.

4. Subedar Yogendra Singh Yadav

This brave soldier has the high honour of being the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. He received this award at the age of 19 for his actions on July 4,1999, during the Kargil war. Born in 1980 in Aurangabad Ahir village, Uttar Pradesh, Yadav showed immense courage during the war in 1999. He volunteered for the task of capturing three strategic bunkers on Tiger Hill, which were situated at the top of a vertical, snow-covered, 16,500 feet high cliff face.

He was climbing the high cliff with the help of a rope when the enemy bunker started rocket fire. Yadav was hit by three bullets in his groin and shoulder. Despite being severely injured, Yadav kept climbing and finished the remaining 60 feet to reach the top of the cliff. Though in immense pain, Yadav crawled to the first enemy bunker and lobbed a grenade, which killed four Pakistani soldiers and set back the enemy fire. This gave the rest of the Indian platoon the opportunity to climb up the cliff face.

However, this was not it. Yadav continued to fight and destroyed the second bunker too with the help of two fellow soldiers. In fact, he also engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy and killed four more Pakistani soldiers. By the time the rest of the Indian platoon arrived, Yadav had already neutralised the enemy attack. This gave Indian soldiers the upper hand and they managed to accomplish one of the toughest missions of the Kargil war – the capture of Tiger Hill.

During the second part of the fight, a few more bullets hit Yadav. Some say he was hit by 16 bullets, some say less, but he survived it all. Yadav’s heroic actions were portrayed in the film, Lakshya, by actor Hrithik Roshan.

5. Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat

Words fall short when it comes to telling this brave man’s story. A hero of the 1962 Indo-China war, Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat of the 4th Garhwal Rifles Infantry Regiment is the only soldier in the history of the Indian Army who has risen through the ranks after his death. He was ‘promoted’ to the rank of Major General 40 years after his death, and is still believed to ‘command’ troops guarding India’s eastern frontiers with China.

During the 1962 war, soldiers were ordered to vacate their posts as soon as possible due to heavy casualties against the Chinese at the Battle of Nuranang. But Jaswant did not leave his position and continued to fight even after the other soldiers had left.

Rawat was helped by two Monpa tribal girls named Sela and Nura. The trio set up weapons at separate points and maintained a volume of fire to make the Chinese believe they were facing a huge battalion. Rawat successfully managed to fool them for three days. But the Chinese found out about the set up through a man who used to supply rations to Rawat and the two girls. At this point, Rawat chose to shoot himself rather than be captured by the Chinese forces. The Chinese were so furious on learning that they had been fighting a single soldier all this time that they cut off Rawat’s head and carried it back to China.

The post that Rawat held to repulse the Chinese troops has been renamed Jaswant Garh in recognition of his courage. A small shrine to Rawat has also come up at the battle spot. All army personnel who pass by this route make sure to pay their respects to him here.

Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously.

6. Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal

Born in Pune, 2nd Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal of the 17 Poona Horse regiment is yet another braveheart who died too young at the age of 21. He died in the Battle of Basantar during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, where his brave actions earned him the Param Vir Chakra posthumously.

Khetarpal showed immense courage and strong will when Pakistani armour, which was superior in strength, counterattacked at Jarpal, in the Shakargarh sector, in December, 1971. Though Khetarpal was in a different squadron, he rushed to help, moving towards the enemy, overrunning the defences with his tanks, and capturing Pakistani infantry and weapons.

When the commander of his troops was killed, Khetarpal continued to attack the enemy fiercely until the latter’s tanks started pulling back. Khetarpal even managed to destroy one of the withdrawing tanks.

But the enemy reformed their armour and prepared for a second attack. This time they targeted the sector held by Khetarpal. The attack was severe and swift. Khetarpal was wounded but managed to hit 10 enemy tanks. He was asked to abandon his tank but realised that if he left it the enemy would break through. He fought courageously and destroyed another enemy tank. But then his own tank received another hit, which resulted in the death of this courageous officer.

7. Major Somnath Sharma

This brave soldier of Fourth Kumaon regiment sacrificed his life at the young age of 24. With his hand already in plaster from an injury sustained in a hockey game, Sharma insisted on being with his company in combat when they were airlifted to Srinagar on October 30, 1947 to fight Pakistani invaders.

On November 3, when Sharma’s company was on a patrol of Badgam village, it was approached by a tribal lashkar of 700 raiders from the direction of Gulmarg. The company was soon surrounded from three sides and endured heavy casualties from the ensuing heavy mortar bombardment. Realising that Srinagar and the airport would be vulnerable if they abandoned the battle at this point, Sharma ran from post to post, encouraging his men to fight in the face of an enemy that outnumbered them seven to one.

When heavy casualties adversely affected their firing power, Sharma, with his left hand in plaster, took to filling the magazines for the men operating light machine guns. While he was busy fighting, a mortar shell exploded on the ammunition near him, killing him instantly.

His last message to Brigade HQ, received a few moments before he was killed, was: “The enemy is only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to our last man and our last round.”

Major Somnath Sharma was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. The citation on the award says, “His leadership, gallantry and tenacious defence were such that his men were inspired to fight the enemy by seven to one, six hours after this gallant officer had been killed.”

8. Naik Jadu Nath Singh

Naik Jadu Nath Singh, the fourth recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, fought in Jammu and Kashmir in the Indo-Pak war of 1947/48. His presence of mind and bravery saved his post, not just once but thrice, from the enemy. On the crucial day of February 6, 1948, Singh was in command of a forward post at Taindhar. Nine men garrisoned the post.

The Pakistanis launched their attack in successive waves to take this post. At this juncture, Singh showed superb leadership and used his small force in such a manner that the enemy retreated in utter confusion. With four wounded men, he re-organised his force to face another onslaught. He did not give in despite being outnumbered.

When all his men, himself included, were wounded, he took over the Bren gun from the wounded gunner and continued to fight. The enemy were now on the walls of the post but Singh’s fire was so devastating that the post was saved for a second time.

Every one in his post was dead by now. The Pakistanis came in again for a third attack. Wounded and alone, Sharma charged out of his post with his sten gun firing, surprising the enemy and forcing it to flee back in confusion again. But two bullets caught Sharma in the head and chest and this gallant soldier died instantly.

9. Subedar Karam Singh

Born in Sehna village in the Sangrur District of Punjab, Karam Singh was the first non-posthumous Param Vir Chakra awardee. Singh retired from the Indian Army as Honorary Captain in 1948 and died in 1993 at the age of 77. He is also the only Indian to win the highest medals of both the British and Indian governments.

Among his several brave acts, Karam Singh is best known for his courage on 13 October, 1948, when Pakistan decided to launch a brigade attack to retake Richhmar Gali in Kashmir. The firing was so furious that it destroyed almost all the bunkers in the Indian platoon. The communication with the commander was also cut off and Singh could not update his situation or ask for reinforcements.

He was left with just one choice – to fight the enemy with whatever little army and weapons he had. The attacks had left Karam Singh severely injured but nothing could deter his spirit. He refused to evacuate the post even when the enemy got very close. When enemy soldiers came even closer, Karam Singh jumped out of his trench and stabbed two intruders to death. His brave act demoralised the enemy so much that they broke off the attack.

10. Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran

Born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, Parameswaran is yet another braveheart who died at the age of 41 in 1987, in India’s Sri Lanka operations. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, posthumously.

It was late night when Parameswaran was returning from search operations in Sri Lanka, when his column was suddenly attacked by a group of militants. He did not panic and showed great presence of mind by encircling the enemy from the rear and surprising them with an unexpected attack. During the hand-to-hand combat, a militant shot him in the chest. Undaunted, Major Parameswaran snatched the rifle from the militant and shot him dead.

Barely able to stand now, he continued giving orders to his men and inspired them to fight till his last breath. The Indians managed to kill five militants and recovered three rifles and two rocket launchers from the militants.

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Essay on Heroism

Students are often asked to write an essay on Heroism in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Heroism

What is heroism.

Heroism is the act of showing courage or bravery, often in challenging or dangerous situations. It’s about doing the right thing, even if it’s hard or scary. Heroes can be everyday people who stand up for what’s right or help others in need.

Types of Heroes

Heroes come in many forms. Some are famous, like firefighters or soldiers, who risk their lives to protect others. Others are ordinary people, like a friend who stands up to a bully, or a neighbor who helps an elderly person with their groceries.

Qualities of a Hero

Heroes are brave, but they’re also kind. They think about others before themselves, and they’re willing to act even when it’s hard. They’re honest, responsible, and they never give up, no matter how tough things get.

Why Heroism Matters

Heroism is important because it inspires us to be better people. When we see someone act bravely or kindly, it makes us want to do the same. Heroes show us that we all have the power to make a difference in the world.

In conclusion, heroism is about more than just bravery. It’s about kindness, selflessness, and perseverance. We can all be heroes, in our own ways, by standing up for what’s right and helping others when they need it.

250 Words Essay on Heroism

Heroism is the act of showing great courage and strength. It is often linked with people who do brave things to help others, even if it means putting themselves in danger. A hero can be anyone, from a firefighter saving lives to a student standing up against bullying.

There are many types of heroes. Some are famous, like Superman or Wonder Woman, who use their special powers to fight evil. But, real-life heroes do not have superpowers. They are ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Doctors, soldiers, and even our parents can be heroes.

Heroes have many qualities that make them special. They are brave, selfless, and always ready to help others. They don’t think twice before jumping into action, even if it means risking their own safety. They believe in doing what’s right, no matter how hard it is.

Why are Heroes Important?

Heroes are important because they inspire us. When we see someone acting bravely, it encourages us to be brave too. They show us that even in tough times, we can make a difference. Heroes remind us that we all have the power to do good.

In conclusion, heroism is about bravery, selflessness, and doing the right thing. We can all be heroes if we choose to stand up for what’s right, help others, and face our fears. So, let us try to be a hero in our own little ways and make the world a better place.

500 Words Essay on Heroism

Heroism is when a person does something brave, often risking their own safety to help others. It is not about being strong or powerful, but about showing courage and selflessness. A hero is someone who cares more about others than themselves. They are willing to face danger to protect or help someone else.

There are many types of heroes. Some are famous, like firefighters, police officers, or soldiers. These people risk their lives every day to keep us safe. But there are also everyday heroes who may not be as well-known. These could be teachers who inspire their students, doctors who save lives, or even a friend who stands up for someone being bullied.

Heroes have special qualities that make them stand out. They are brave, and not afraid to face danger. They are selfless, thinking of others before themselves. They are also kind, showing compassion and understanding to those in need. But most importantly, heroes are determined. They do not give up, even when things are tough.

Heroes in History

History is full of heroes. People like Martin Luther King Jr., who fought for equal rights, or Malala Yousafzai, who stood up for girls’ education, are examples of heroes. They faced great danger and even risked their lives for what they believed in. Their actions have made the world a better place.

Heroes Around Us

We do not have to look far to find heroes. They are all around us. Maybe it’s a parent who works hard to provide for their family, or a friend who helps you when you’re feeling down. You might even be a hero to someone without knowing it. By showing kindness and courage, we can all be heroes in our own way.

In conclusion, heroism is about more than just being strong or brave. It’s about caring for others, standing up for what is right, and never giving up. Heroes can be anyone, from famous figures to everyday people. And the best part is, we all have the potential to be heroes. So let’s strive to be the best we can be, and maybe one day, we will be someone’s hero.

In this essay, we have learned about the meaning of heroism, the types of heroes, the qualities of a hero, heroes in history, and heroes around us. We have also learned that we all have the potential to be heroes. It is important to remember that heroism is not about being powerful, but about showing courage and selflessness. It is about caring for others and standing up for what is right. So let’s strive to be the best we can be, and maybe one day, we will be someone’s hero.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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Home — Essay Samples — War

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Exeter’s new park to shed light on Black Revolutionary War heroes: 'A long time coming'

EXETER — Renay Allen could not recall when she read "Lies My Teacher Told Me," but she’s glad that she did.

“I thought that slavery was mostly a southern issue,” she said. “But then, while researching something else, I came upon the Jude Hall story."

Jude Hall won his freedom from slavery fighting in the American Revolutionary War, where he served from 1775 to 1783.  After the war, he and his wife Rhoda made Exeter their home, near the Kensington line. However, heartbreak befell the family when their three sons, all born into freedom, were kidnapped into slavery. 

"I just started thinking about what a raw deal the family got – for a man that fought for so long in the war and then to have his three sons kidnapped – I was really motivated to bring that story to light.”

Since that time, Allen has been at the forefront of numerous initiatives dedicated to make the town's Black history "more mainstream." That included self-publishing three novels that share the story of Jude Hall, nationally known Abolitionist poet James M. Whitfield and John G. Cutler , a Black business entrepreneur who grew up in Exeter and owned the Sea View Hotel and Cutler's Cafe at Hampton Beach.

Now, she, in conjunction with the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire , is opening a new pocket park in town to honor Exeter's Black Revolutionary War soldiers and their families.

The Exeter Black History Pocket Park, or as Allen calls it the “patriotic garden,” will be located before the entrance to Swasey Parkway at 223 Water St. at the American flagpole, directly across from the American Independence Museum .

The unveiling ceremony of the park will be on Saturday, May 4, at 10 a.m. 

Legacy cemented: Exeter Fire Chief Eric Wilking retires after 42 years

Exeter became home to many Black Revolutionary War veterans

Town historian Barbara Rimkunas has written a number of columns on Exeter's Black Revolutionary War heroes as part of her monthly column in the Exeter News-Letter .

"Exeter, in earlier times, was more racially diverse than it is today," she wrote in a 2018 column. "It should not surprise us that there were Revolutionary War veterans among those families in town."

A number of Black men won their freedom from slavery by fighting in the Revolutionary War.

"There were some good incentives for joining the army," Rimkunas wrote. "Enslaved men would earn their freedom by fighting – although it sometimes took some negotiation to convince their masters to agree. "

After the war, nearly a dozen Black veterans chose Exeter to "start over in a place away from their old masters."

According to the first U.S. census, Exeter had the highest percentage of Black residents in New Hampshire at nearly 5%.

Rimkunas noted that David Dixon, who published “Freedom Earned, Equality Denied: The Free Black Community of Exeter, New Hampshire,” theorized that “Exeter may have become a magnet for groups of Black Revolutionary War veterans because of its abundance of educational opportunities.”

Exeter’s schools were open to people of any race.

Allen said the building that now houses the American Independence Museum served as the location where veterans received their military pensions.

Several Black merchants enjoyed success, living above their downtown shops for two generations, with a couple amassing significant wealth. Cutler, the grandson of an enslaved man who fought in the Revolutionary War, became known in the New Hampshire Republican Party as a "kingmaker," hosting four presidents and other famous people at his Hampton Beach hotel.

Exeter's Black population started to dwindle as the Civil War neared.

"Faced with a nationwide increasing era of prejudice and overt racism, together with the lack of meaningful work, understandably, the African Americans of Exeter left for more economic opportunities and social acceptance found in larger cities of New England and elsewhere," the Exeter Historical Society wrote in their history of African Americans in Exeter .

More: 'Massive' apartment building pitched in Exeter. Critics say it 'dwarfs' town hall.

'Patriotic garden' a 'very long time coming'

Allen said it's been a "very long time coming" for the park. She first pitched the idea in 2021 with the plan to use proceeds from her books to pay for it.

Initially, Allen said she only planned on writing the first novel about Jude Hall. But when COVID-19 struck, she decided to keep writing, researching and profiling other Black histories in town.

“I had used the stories of other people, so I didn’t want to take the profits from them," Allen said. "So, I thought it might be a nice idea to funnel these profits back into tangible evidence that this historical community once existed.”

With support from the Select Board and help from volunteers, the town formed an ad hoc committee for the park and partnered up with the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire to help make the vision come to life. 

“It’s perfectly what I think the money should be used for,” said Allen.

Allen said the pocket park also represents a milestone for Exeter in acknowledging the town’s Black history.

“Before I started (in 2021), there were little to no markers that had anything to do with the Black history or any of the past citizens,” she said. “Now, there are three or four markers that are in town and I hope it continues.”

One of the markers in town is a stone step in honor of Jude Hall at the American Independence Museum and another is plaque at 127 Water St. in honor of John G. Cutler.

Allen said she chose a high-volume location for the pocket park to increase visibility and awareness.

“It’s such a high-profile area that I think a lot of people will come across it just in their daily walking and read it and begin to understand that there’s a fuller history of Exeter than they realized in the past,” she said. “Whatever they choose to do with that information, I hope it helps to work with kind of a larger healing across the country.”

Essay on Kargil War

500 words essay on kargil war.

Kargil war was a very difficult time that our country went through. Furthermore, it was a crisis situation that ensued a feeling of nationalism , patriotism, and unity among every Indian. This essay on Kargil War will throw light on the various developments of the war and its after-effects.

Background of the War

Kashmir is a beautiful region that resides in an extremely mountainous area, containing some of the highest peaks in the world. Unfortunately, this amazing land has remained a constant battleground between the two countries of India and Pakistan.

The dispute began from the First Kargil War in 1947-1948 which led to the establishment of the LOC, line of control. The LOC still divides the land of Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

As part of the Simla Agreement in 1972, there was an agreement that neither India nor Pakistan would contest the border by making use of military means. Since the agreement, both countries began guarding the border heavily for the majority of the year. During the exceedingly cold winter months, both the Indian and Pakistani guards abandon their posts, only to return back in the spring.

However, during the winter of 1998-1999, a surprise attack took place from the Pakistan army and it became successful in crossing the LOC and into India’s portion of Kashmir. Moreover, slowly and gradually, they went on capturing one Indian outpost after another and held their position in Kargil.

In February 1999, at the same time as the winter invasion, the Lahore Declaration was being signed between India and Pakistan which was based on peace. After a few months, the Kargil war began between the two countries. Furthermore, a series of bloody battles were fought between the two nations of India and Pakistan.

The battles posed a huge challenge for the Indian forces as they had to fight on difficult mountainous terrain.  In spite of this challenge, the Indian soldiers showed amazing bravery. After a long struggle, the Indian army became successful in pushing back the Pakistani forces across the line of control.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Rise of Nationalism

By July 14, 1999, there were heavy causalities on both sides. However, the sacrifice of Indian soldiers was not in vain. This great struggle of the Indian army has carved a place in the heart of every Indian.

The entire Kargil war was a time of tension and nervousness for the Indian people. It infused the spirit of national pride in every Indian. Most noteworthy, it served as an opportunity of unifying all the Indians together irrespective of caste, colour, religion, language etc.

Conclusion of the Essay on Kargil War 

The Kargil war has become an unforgettable event in the history of India. Nevertheless, this was an event that brought about feelings of patriotism in the hearts of every Indian like never before. The brave struggle of the Indian soldiers will continue to be an inspiration for all the citizens of this country.

FAQs For Essay on Kargil War 

Question 1: When did the dispute over the region of Kashmir originally began between India and Pakistan?

Answer 1: The dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir began from the First Kargil War in 1947-1948, which led to the establishment of the LOC, line of control. Furthermore, the land of Kashmir is still divided by the LOC between India and Pakistan.

Question 2: What is the concept of nationalism?

Answer 2: Nationalism refers to a political principle, which upholds the congruency of the political and national unit. Furthermore, nationalism involves a strong sense of shared national identity among the people of a nation.

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One Year of War in Sudan - April 12, 2024

Resource date: Apr 2024

Publisher: UNFPA Sudan

The conflict in Sudan has resulted in the largest displacement crisis globally, with 8.5 million people forced from their homes, including 1.56 million women and girls of reproductive age. Over 6.5 million people are internally displaced, and the situation is particularly dire for pregnant women, with nearly 155,500 expected to give birth in the next three months. Nearly 5 million people are on the verge of famine, and 18 million face acute food insecurity due to conflict, economic instability, and rising food prices.

Access to essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services is dwindling, placing pregnant and lactating women at heightened risk of complications. Hospitals are overwhelmed, with 80 percent of hospitals in conflict-affected areas non-functional due to destruction and shortages of supplies and staff. This scarcity of resources and services exacerbates challenges for women and girls in need of reproductive healthcare, leaving them with nowhere to turn and vulnerable to sexual violence, coercion into marriage, and lack of protection services.

The despicable use of sexual violence as a tactic of war further compounds the crisis, with reports of rape, enslavement, and murder, particularly in regions like Darfur, Khartoum, and Kordofan. Young girls are coerced into marriage for protection, and families facing food insecurity resort to marrying off their young daughters. The absence of protection services amplifies trauma and vulnerability to gender-based violence (GBV), leaving women and girls in fear without adequate support or justice.

Despite these challenges, UNFPA and its partners, many of whom are local and women-led organizations, are diligently addressing the needs of affected women and girls. UNFPA's efforts have resulted in over 3,000 safe births, provided SRH and medical services to 100,000 individuals, distributed emergency reproductive health supplies to over 168,000 people, and facilitated 1,200 obstetric emergencies referrals. Moreover, 33 mobile and temporary clinics have been deployed to offer integrated SRH/GBV services, 50,000 dignity kits distributed to women and girls, 64 safe spaces established, and 1,400 partners and community members trained on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).

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Guest Essay

What Began as a War on Theater Won’t End There

By James Shapiro

Mr. Shapiro is the author of the forthcoming “The Playbook: A Story of Theater, Democracy, and the Making of a Culture War.”

Productions of plays in America’s high schools have been increasingly under attack. In 2023, Anton Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” was rejected in Tennessee (since it deals with adultery); “August: Osage County,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Tracy Letts, was canceled in Iowa after rehearsals had begun (the community was deemed not ready for it); and in Kansas, students were not even allowed to study, let alone stage, “The Laramie Project ,” a play by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project about the murder of a gay student, Matthew Shepard.

It should come as no surprise, then, that in the Educational Theater Association’s most recent survey, 85 percent of American theater teachers expressed concern about censorship . Even Shakespeare is at risk: In Florida, new laws led to the restriction of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to grades 10 through 12 and “Romeo and Juliet” could not be taught in full to avoid falling afoul of legislation targeting “sexual conduct.” Kill off young people’s exposure to theater, and you kill off a generation of playgoers, along with the empathy and camaraderie (already in short supply) that are intrinsic to theater. According to the latest report from the National Endowment for the Arts , from 2017 to 2022 the percentage of Americans who went even once a year to see a nonmusical play dropped by roughly half, from about 10 percent to less than 5 percent.

What begins as a war on theater never ends there.

The current attacks on theater in American schools have their origins in a struggle that took place in the late 1930s, when America’s political leadership believed that the arts, no less than industry and agriculture, were vital to the health of the Republic and deserving of its financial support. There was still an implicit understanding that theater and democracy — twinborn in ancient Greece, spheres where competing visions of society could be aired and debated — were mutually dependent. Funded by Congress as part of a Works Progress Administration relief bill and established in 1935, the Federal Theater Project by 1939 had staged over 1,000 productions in 29 states, seen free or for a pittance by 30 million spectators, or roughly one in four Americans, two-thirds of whom had never seen a play before.

It brought children’s plays on touring trucks to kids in crowded cities. It staged works in Spanish, Yiddish and Italian to reach immigrants. It established what it called Negro units from Hartford, Conn., to Seattle to support Black actors and playwrights. It staged Christmas plays and classics by Shakespeare and Euripides and nurtured young playwrights and directors, including Arthur Miller and Orson Welles. It brought free theater to asylums, orphanages, hospitals, prisons and veterans’ homes. It revived playgoing in rural states where the movies had all but ended it. Ten million listeners a week tuned in to its radio broadcasts. It established ties with hundreds of educational, fraternal, civic and religious groups, strengthening communal bonds.

It turned out that Americans were hungry for plays about issues that mattered to their lives, topics largely shunned by Hollywood and the commercial stage. So they flocked to see new plays about substandard housing and the plight of struggling farmers. One of the most remarkable Federal Theater ventures was a stage version of Sinclair Lewis’s novel “It Can’t Happen Here ,” in which a fascist is elected president of the United States. It opened on the same day, Oct. 27, 1936, in 18 cities across the country, and by the time it closed, more than 379,000 Americans had seen it. The cost of these thousand or so productions to taxpayers was roughly the price of building a single battleship.

The program’s popularity contributed to its undoing. Many of those in Congress who had voted to fund the Federal Theater became frightened by its reach and impact, its interracial casting, its challenge to the status quo — frightened, too, perhaps, by the prospect of Americans across racial, economic and political divides sitting cheek by jowl in packed playhouses.

Three years after the creation of the Federal Theater, Congress authorized the establishment of what would become the House Un-American Activities Committee, chaired by Martin Dies of Texas. It was to supposed to spend seven months investigating the rise of Nazism, fascism and communism in America and submit a report. The ambitious Mr. Dies, desperate to have his committee’s life extended, instead focused much of his attention on a more vulnerable target: the Federal Theater, accusing it of disseminating offensive and communistic and therefore un-American values. In the course of waging and winning this battle, he assembled a right-wing playbook so pervasive that it now seems timeless. He succeeded wildly: All Federal Theater productions were abruptly terminated in 1939, and the House Un-American Activities Committee lasted until 1975. With a nascent national theater now destroyed, targeting theater in schools was the inevitable next step for his successors, who — whether cynical politicians or school board members eager to police what offends their sensibilities — have all stolen a page from the Dies playbook.

It’s hard to imagine what America would be like today had support for the Federal Theater continued and Mr. Dies’s committee not been renewed. Counterfactual history is best left to novelists. But a more vibrant theatrical culture extending across the land might well have led to a more informed citizenry and, by extension, a less divided and more equitable and resilient democracy. What happened instead was that Mr. Dies begat Joseph McCarthy, who begat Roy Cohn, who begat Donald Trump.

Some of those familiar with this history haven’t given up. Right now, artists are preparing projects that on July 27 will open simultaneously in 18 U.S. cities and towns, much as “It Can’t Happen Here” did in 1936 . Under the rubric of Arts for EveryBody, the initiative is bringing together performers, audiences, community leaders and local officials. It is a small start and a promising one. So, too, is legislation coming before Congress, the STAGE Act of 2024, that would provide badly needed support for endangered nonprofit theaters across the land. Passing it should be a no-brainer, but there’s a likelihood that the Dies playbook will be used to defeat it. Until those in power in this country pivot from suppressing theater to investing in it, it’s not just the arts but also democracy itself that remains vulnerable.

James Shapiro teaches English at Columbia University and is the author of the forthcoming “ The Playbook: A Story of Theater, Democracy, and the Making of a Culture War .”

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The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War International Release Announced

by Alex Fuller · Published April 24, 2024 · Updated April 24, 2024

USERJOY announced that it is releasing mobile title The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War internationally. The free-to-play game — which released in Japan in December 2023 — will release for iOS and Android on May 29, 2024. Pre-registration is available on both platforms.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War is based on the anime series of the same name that first aired in 2023. It takes place in the Septian year 1205, following the events of The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II , and is set in the northwestern state of North Ambria, a poor region on the border of the Erebonian Empire. The story follows Lavian Winslet, who volunteers to join the renowned Northern Jaegers to help protect her hometown and prove herself different to her grandfather Vlad. She ends up in a platoon that is ordered to take on a risky undercover mission in the Erebonian Empire.

Tags: Android iOS Nihon Falcom The Legend of Heroes The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel - Northern War USERJOY

Alex Fuller

Alex joined RPGamer in 2011 as a Previewer before moving onto Reviews, News Director, and Managing Editor. Became Acting Editor-in-Chief in 2018.

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6 New Hero Talent Trees & Full Alpha Hero Talent Tree Updates Now on Wowhead

Hunter - sentinel, mage - sunfury, monk - master of harmony, priest - oracle, priest - voidweaver, warlock - soul harvester, the war within alpha coverage, comment by chiyoesnow14.

Looks the the Warlock hero talents Soul Harvester is Affliction & Demonology not Destruction. (:

Comment by Tehra

Let's wait until the last possible moment to release shaman hero talents so there is no time to fix them when they are inevitably bad. Enhance RIP.

Comment by Noraver

Wow, Soul Harvester is INCREDIBLY boring and 100% forgettable. Doesn't add a single thing to Affliction's actual gameplay. What a disappointment.

Comment by Auzsi17

That warlock one is garbage.

Why release the oracle tree at all when it's clearly not done lol

Comment by SomeKeed

Damn they REALLY have given up on Shaman LMAO

Comment by Oofa

Kael'Thas is real i've seen him

Comment by Metachaser

Let's wait until the last possible moment to release shaman hero talents so there is no time to fix them when they are inevitably bad. Enhance RIP. It's legit like half a year till expansion. How's that last possible moment

Comment by Peacemoon

Sentinel looks a bit underwhelming - and only night elf hunters will like summoning a moonlight radiant owl. Oracle has lost its buffs to friendly targets in favour of self buffs, but all 3 of them don’t seem particularly strong to me, except perhaps the overhealing. Voidweaver looks really good and easy to use, and hard to see why any Disc priest would not select it. Only problem is again theme, if you don’t like to be a shadow disc healer.

Let's wait until the last possible moment to release shaman hero talents so there is no time to fix them when they are inevitably bad. Enhance RIP. It's legit like half a year till expansion. How's that last possible moment You'll see.

Comment by Kubarian

Sentinel looks a bit underwhelming - and only night elf hunters will like summoning a moonlight radiant owl. As a guy who plays a High Elven Ranger who's a member of the Army of the Light, theme-wise it's a better alternative than Dark Ranger to me, may also be the case for other elven rangers who don't want dark/undead themes tbh

Comment by TheBeardedFetus

I'm excited for Voidweaver, it looks super fun.

Comment by DreadfuryDK

Yo wait, they COOKED with Voidweaver.

Comment by nalyssahorde

Where tf are the shaman trees? Either they're really taking their time with them or they're absolute dogwater and waiting until the last minute. Probably the latter knowing shamans

Comment by Quadram

Read Malefic Rapture on the first talent for Soul Harvester.... I miss playing Affliction, but i'll be damned before i play it as long as MR is a thing

Comment by Kagedapple

can we maybe get some of the other classes done too pushing out 1 hero talent a month at this rate we arent going to know anything on the other classes tell s2 of war with in.

Comment by Kryplixx

Sunfury is simply fantastic. Excellent work, Blizz. Making the gameplay exciting without adding extra buttons—the mage has a lot already. Main is locked in.

Comment by PeckNeck6

Wow... Oracle priest looking hella boring, while voidweaver looks really cool and interesting, looks like time to reroll to disc. Now that I look at it, where is Archon priest?

Comment by Blighty

If history has taught me anything, it's that no disc priest will ever touch Oracle with a 10 foot pole and everyone will play voidweaver. Orcale sounds like a boring healbot spec that has very lackluster effects meanwhile Void just cranks your dmg up and will synergise amazingly with atonement.

Comment by thalius1996

Sunfury was amazing in theory! I was hoping to find more hero talens for shaman and priest. At least now I know which mage will probably be my main, I've always dreamed of these skills.

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Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

Cloud enabled game while in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Learn more

+Offers in-app purchases.

In this bundle

Description

Our story begins in one corner of Allraan, a tapestry of nations with diverse cultures and values. By dint of sword, and by way of magical objects known as “rune-lenses,” the land’s history has been shaped by the alliances and aggressions of the humans, beastmen, elves, and desert people who live there. The Galdean Empire has edged out other nations and discovered a technology that amplifies the rune-lenses’ magic. Now, the Empire is scouring the continent for an artifact that will expand their power even further. It is on one such expedition that Seign Kesling, a young and gifted imperial officer, and Nowa, a boy from a remote village, meet each other and become friends. However, a twist of fate will soon drag them into the fires of war, and force them both to reexamine everything they believe to be right and true. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes became the #1 funded Kickstarter video game of 2020 thanks to phenomenal support from the community. 505 Games is truly honored to publish Eiyuden Chronicle and work with Rabbit & Bear to help deliver a memorable gaming experience to fans. The goal of Rabbit & Bear and 505 Games is to make sure Eiyuden Chronicle reaches its true potential and delivers a worthwhile JRPG the community will enjoy.

Published by

Developed by, release date, playable on.

• Xbox Series X|S

Capabilities

• Single player

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Games included

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes - Digital Deluxe Edition

Add-ons included

Included in these subscriptions, xbox game pass ultimate.

• Hundreds of high-quality games on console, PC, and cloud
• New games on day one
• Member deals, discounts, and Perks
• Online console multiplayer
• EA Play EA Play membership

PC Game Pass

• Hundreds of high-quality games on PC
• Member deals and discounts

Xbox Game Pass for Console

• Hundreds of high-quality games on console

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