war hero
Valor medal recipient
A war hero is someone celebrated for exceptional bravery or achievement in military combat.
The term implies acts beyond ordinary duty—saving comrades, capturing objectives against odds, or enduring extraordinary hardship.
He returned from Vietnam a war hero.
The label carries political weight; calling someone a war hero can validate military service generally or shield a person from criticism.
- braveryBoldness before danger
- valorCourage in danger
- memorialThing preserving remembrance
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- fallen soldierMilitary member killed serving
martyrdom · heroism · medal · decorated veteran · courage · call of duty · selflessness · Napoleonic Wars · band of brothers · POW · monument · statue · strategist · Bronze Star · honor · rescue · homecoming · wounded
- military valorbravery, gallantry, heroism, valor, courage
- War Heroesmedal recipient, Sergeant York, flying ace, combat veteran
- heroesheroes, heroine, heroines, superhero, superheroes
- heroismbravery, valor, courage, heroism, sacrifice
- war memorialmilitary cemetery, national cemetery, Arlington National Cemetery, fallen soldier, fallen soldiers
- military figuressoldier, general, corporal, private, lieutenant
war herowar criminal
Violator of combat laws
coward · traitor · deserter · war profiteer · collaborator
war heroconscientious objector
One refusing military service morally
pacifist · draft dodger · peace activist · draft resister · dove