Standing at 5 feet and change, this Pennsylvania native goes by name of 1SG Leonard A. Funk Jr. Now, he wasn't the most physically imposing warrior to ever live, but his hardcore tenacity in combat would eventually earn him the nickname "Napoleon". Funk joined the Army in 1941, became a paratrooper with the 1-508th/82nd Airborne and within a span of 4 years, 1SG Funk would become the one of the most decorated paratrooper in WW2.
During operation Market Garden, Funk led a 3 man patrol to destroy fully crewed 20mm anti-aircraft guns which were shooting down gliders. With balls of steel, Funk pretty much took out the guns and wiped out 20 Germans without losing a single American soldier. Later, 1SG Funk was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions.
On 29 January 1945, in Holzheim, Belgium. Funk left a rearguard of 4 men, while he scouted ahead to link up with other units, Those 4 men had to guard about 80 German prisoners. Another German patrol of 10 happened by and overwhelmed the 4 Americans, freeing the prisoners and arming them.
When Funk returned around the corner of a building, he was met by a German officer with an MP-40 in his stomach. The German shouted something at him, and Funk looked around. There were now about 90 Germans, about half of them armed, and 5 Americans, disarmed except for Funk. The German shouted the same thing at him again, and Funk started laughing. His laughter and non-compliance caused some of the Germans to start laughing. Funk shrugged at them and started laughing so hard he had to bend over. He called to his men, “I don’t understand what he’s saying!” All the while, the German officer was shouting more and more angrily.
Then, quick as lightning, Funk swung his Thompson submachine gun and emptied the entire mag into the German. Before the other Germans could react, Funk reloaded and gunned down 20 more men. The rest dropped their weapons and put their hands up.
Then Funk started laughing again and said to his men, “That was the stupidest fucking thing I’ve ever seen!” For his actions, 1SG Funk was awarded the Medal of Honor…and the Silver Star, and the Bronze Star, and 3 Purple Hearts. #stayzero #zerofoxtrot #ww2