What Does BAMF Mean?

To put it simply, a BAMF is a bad ass motherfucker. It’s a resilient, brave, and impressive person, but it’s so much more than that. BAMFs come in many forms and personalities, but many have beaten incredible odds to be a hero or simply have showed they cared for people in need. These kind, generous, and courageous people make a difference in the world, and make it a little better.

Sgt. Maj. Troy Black – 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps

There’s no truer bravery than someone who runs straight into danger to save another person’s life or to make sure no man is left behind. Sgt. Maj. Troy Black did just that. He ran hundreds of yards across a stretch of unswept territory filled with IEDs to reach a fellow marine who died when one of the IEDs exploded. Black was selfless in his mission to get the deceased marine and bring him back to start his journey home.

The Sgt. Maj has a litany of rewards, including a Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Service. He also has a Combat Action Ribbon with two stars, a Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguish Device and three Gold Stars, and more. He represents the selfless hero BAMF.

K-9 Officer Daniel Sperano – Helping a Fellow Soldier in Need

BAMFs like K-9 Officer Daniel Sperano of Smyrna, Georgia don life-saving tactical vests as well as a police belt every shift. Our police officers put their lives on the line daily, and Sperano, also an Army veteran, prevented a Navy vet from jumping off a bridge to commit suicide. Sperano risked his own life by thinking quick on his feet to save a fellow veteran and won the Smyrna Police Department’s Medal of Honor and Life Saving Award.

It’s difficult for veterans to adapt to civilian life after seeing war and death on deployment. Many of our military members are deployed overseas for long periods of time away from family and friends. Some develop PTSD, and they’re expected to drop back into society easily. Nothing could be more rewarding for Sperano than saving a fellow vet while working as a police officer, upholding the motto protect and serve.

Corporal Tibor (Ted) Rubin – Holocaust Survivor and Military Hero

If we had to pick one BAMF who represents truly what a hero is, it would be this guy. Tibor Rubin, born in Hungary in 1929, was sent with his family to Mauthausen when he was just 13, but against all odds he survived. American troops liberated Ted when he was 15 years old, and he vowed he would come to the U.S. and join the military to help America fight the Germans.

He did come to the United States and joined the military in 1950. His service in the U.S. Army was nothing less than mind-blowing during the Korean War. Corporal Rubin alone defended a hill on the Taegu-Pusan Road so that his company could withdraw. When he rejoined his company, he captured hundreds of enemy soldiers as they traveled.

Eventually, he was taken as a prisoner of war (POW) by the Chinese, who offered to send him back to Hungary. He refused and stayed behind as a prisoner. Corporal Rubin saved more lives by caring for sick and dying soldiers and sneaking out to take food from the storehouse to feed his fellow comrades. Tibor provided valuable moral support and credited his ability to adapt and survive to the Holocaust.

Wouldn’t you know it? He still dealt with anti-Semitism when his own First Sergeant refused to put the necessary paperwork in for Tibor to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor and Prisoner of War Medal. One witness truly believed that First Sergeant Watson would have jeopardized his own life before he took any action toward rewarding the medal to a Jew—not BAMF material.

NYPD Detective James Zadroga – 9/11 Hero

The Zadroga Act Victim Fund makes James Zadroga a name that’s known around the country. It’s the act that provides first responders involved with 9/11 financial aid and ongoing health monitoring.

Detective Zadroga came from a family of police officers and joined the NYPD in 1992, rising through the ranks to detective quickly. He was heading home from a night shift on the morning of September 11, 2001. When he heard about the attacks, he turned around, going right to the epicenter of the action to help, at the risk of his own life, like many that day. Zadroga spent over 452 hours helping during the recovery process, and he paid for it with his life. The work filled his lungs with deadly chemicals, fiberglass, and concrete, and he died as a result, at the age of 34.

The illness became known as “The World Trade Center Cough.” He never smoked or had asthma until contaminating his lungs. He permanently retired in 2004. By 2006, he died because of pulmonary disease. James Zadroga left his legacy behind of being a brave police officer who ran straight into danger to save others and giving the ultimate sacrifice.

All these men are excellent examples of BAMFs—people who risked their lives to help someone else. They were compassionate people who made a difference. In essence, the world needs more BAMFs. People who step up to do a duty, attempt the right thing, or help someone out.