Introduction

People do not always go to war as warriors or soldiers, let alone heroes or leaders, but they can become heroes or leaders in the heat of battle. While it can bring out the very worst in humanity, combat also has the ability to bring out the best in an individual. Bravery, valor, heroism, and sacrifice in battle are qualities dear to many characters in war literature, both fictional and historical. These same characteristics mark soldiers for distinction in battle, and make them leaders of men. A warrior's experiences in war can make him a postwar leader, as many cultures throughout history have placed high importance on a leader's ability to successfully wage war.

However, not everyone who survives war is a hero, and not all heroes survive war. Great leaders and heroes in combat are not even always on the winning side...