The First World War was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. The war which was a struggle for international domination between the Allies and the Central Powers, took the lives of 9 Million soldiers, with another 23 million wounded. 5 million civilians died due to military action, hunger, and disease. Millions more died as a result of genocide. However, amidst this massive tragedy are individuals who through courage and determination have been able to display heroic action. Without any further ado here are 10 War Heroes of World War I, you should know about.

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1. Edith Cavell

Edith Cavell was a British nurse who helped 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium during the war. She was also celebrated for saving the lives of soldiers from both sides without discrimination. Her assistance to the 200 Allied soldiers led to her arrest. She was accused of treason, found guilty by a court-martial, and sentenced to death. Despite international pressure for mercy, she was shot by a German firing squad. Her execution received worldwide condemnation, turning global opinion against Germany. Her exemplary actions put her on top of our list of the Heroes of World War I

2. Jack Cornwell

Jack Cornwell is a Naval Officer in the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy. He gained prominence for his gallantry at the Battle of Jutland during World War I. In the battle, All of Jack’s crew were killed or badly wounded after being attacked by four German ships. Only Jack was left standing. Although he was in pain and was still being attacked he stayed by his gun waiting for orders. He died a few days later from the injuries of the battle at the age of only 16. Jack was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

3. Alvin York

Alvin York is an American soldier who led an attack on a German machine gun nest, killing at least 25 enemy soldiers, and capturing 132 prisoners. He received the Medal of Honor for leading the attack. York’s Medal of Honor action occurred during the United States-led portion of the Meuse–Argonne offensive in France, which was intended to breach the Hindenburg line and force the Germans to surrender. He earned decorations from several allied countries during WWI, including France, Italy, and Montenegro, becoming one of the most decorated United States Army soldiers of World War I

4. Billy Sing

Billy Sing was an Australian soldier of Chinese and English descent who served in the Australian Imperial Force during World War I, best known as a sniper during the Gallipoli Campaign. He took at least 150 confirmed kills during that campaign and may have had over 200 kills in total. However, contemporary evidence puts his tally at close to 300 kills. Sing’s marksmanship at Gallipoli saw him dubbed ‘The Assassin’ or ‘The Murderer’ by his comrades. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal On 10 March 1916.

5. Alan Jerrard

Alan Jerrad was an English aviator and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Jerrad was awarded the Victoria Cross for taking down three enemy aircraft in an offensive patrol over Italy during the war. He was eventually shot down by an enemy aircraft becoming a prisoner of war. According to a report, Jerrad’s aircraft Sopwith Camel was hit 163 times during the skirmish. He was the only Camel pilot to be awarded a VC

6. Baron Von Richthofen

Baron Von Richthofen also known as Red Baron was a fighter pilot with the German Air Force during World War I. He is considered the ace-of-aces of the war, being officially credited with 80 air combat victories. Richthofen is regarded as a national hero in Germany, and respected by The enemies. He was shot down and killed near Vaux-sur-Somme on 21 April 1918. He remains one of the most widely known fighter pilots of all time.

7. Anibal Milhais

Anibal Milhais was the most decorated Portuguese soldier of World War I, prominent for single-handedly withstanding two German assaults during the battle of La Lys. In one of the Operations, Milhais laid down intensive fire against assaults by two German regiments, inflicting many casualties. He managed to cover the retreat of Portuguese and Scots alike, despite coming under heavy attack himself. A few months later, he single-handedly held back another German assault allowing a Belgian unit to retreat safely to a secondary trench without casualties. He was awarded the highest Portuguese national honor.

8. Eddie Rickenbacker

Eddie Rickenbacker was an American fighter pilot in World War I and a Medal of Honor recipient. With 26 aerial victories, he was the most successful and most decorated United States flying ace of the war. His 26 victories remained the American record until Richard Bong’s forty victories in World War II. Rickenbacker received the Distinguished Service Cross a record number of seven times and the Medal of Honor in 1930. In addition, he received the Legion of Honor and the Croix de Guerre from France.

9. Frank Luke

Frank Luke was an American fighter ace credited with 18 aerial victories, ranking him second among United States Army Air Service pilots after Captain Eddie Rickenbacker during World War I. He reportedly achieved these 18 victories during just 10 sorties in eight days, a feat unsurpassed by any pilot in World War I. He was the first airman to receive the Medal of Honor and the first USAAS ace in a day. Luke Air Force Base, a United States Air Force pilot training installation since World War II, is named in his honor.

10. Ernst Udet

Ernst Udet was a German pilot during World War I and a Luftwaffe Colonel-General during World War II. He joined the Imperial German Air Service at the age of 19, and eventually became a notable flying ace of World War I, scoring 62 confirmed victories. The highest-scoring German fighter pilot to survive the war, and the second-highest scoring after Manfred von Richthofen, his commander in the Flying Circus. Udet would enjoy a playboy lifestyle after the war. However, he re-enlisted in World War Two serving the Nazi Party. He later committed suicide in 1941 during Operation Barbarossa.

10 Most Courageous War Heroes Of World War I