Who is the greatest ever American?

[Sigi]

Surprised people didn't put down Gen. George Patton, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Sitting Bull, Geronimo, Dizzy Gillespie, Elisha Otis (Black dude that invented the elevator, basically allowing high-rise construction to go beyond three or four flours), Bo Diddley, Chester Nimitz- let's face it, there's a *ton* of people that have contributed to the world from the USA. (well, technically the Native-Americans were separate nations, but they also contributed to the history of the United States)


Edit: research is good when you remember to fact check!

[Dezzimal]

Steve Jobs.

[Null]

I'd say it is a tie between FRD and Brett Favre.

FDR, just simply the greatest President IMO.

And Brett Favre...don't need to explain that one.

I'm still amazed at that list on page 1 where Bush is listed as number 6! Seriously???

And yes, for the pick below. Solid Snake FTMFW! But sadly, he spent most his life not living in America.

[evilbau]

Ken Masters

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u...Kohnke/ken.jpg

[Seigfried of Pandemonium]

all about the benjamins, my boy frank

[Sepukku]

Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Rebel.
Beer drinker.
Wife beater.
Movie star.
6-time WWF Champion.
1996 King of the Ring champion.
3-time Royal Rumble winner.

and author of the Stone Cold Sandwich Book of March:

[Akiyama]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but the topic name is bugging the fuck out of me. Shouldn't it be "Who is the greatest American ever?" and not what you have up there, Shue?

[Xno Kappa]

Stephen Colbert

[Churchill]

The guy Mel Gibson played in that war of independence movie, was that a real person or a fictitious character?

It was based on multiple revolutionary war rangers

[Kyo]

Michael Jordan

[Zeb]

No Paul Newman?

Served in the Navy during WWII, won numerous awards as an actor, won several national championships as a driver in the Sports Car Club of America, his team won several championships in open wheel IndyCar racing. His food line, Newman's Own, donated all post tax profits and royalties to charity, which has exceeded over 250M.

[Deejay]

Michael Jordan

You're not american if you haven't felt some sort of feeling towards Michael Jordan... be it love, contempt, or respect. If we want to seriously bring sports figures into the discussion, MJ pwns all. Even Brett favre.

[Kyo]

You're not american if you haven't felt some sort of feeling towards Michael Jordan... be it love, contempt, or respect. If we want to seriously bring sports figures into the discussion, MJ pwns all. Even Brett favre.

QFT

Couldnt agree more.

[MarkM.]

To respond to what I said about Alvin York, I went and pulled a little bit of info off wiki on him.

After his platoon suffered heavy casualties and 3 other noncommissioned officers had become casualties, Cpl. York assumed command. Fearlessly leading 7 men, he charged with great daring a machine gun nest which was pouring deadly and incessant fire upon his platoon. In this heroic feat the machine gun nest was taken, together with 4 officers and 128 men and several guns (From the citation for his Medal of Honor.)

I'd also nominate Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart, they were the two snipers in Mogadishu that volunteered to secure the downed helicopter in 1993, (also Medal of Honor recipients.) If you've seen Blackhawk Down you know what I'm talking about.

[alt]

Well in terms of having been able to affect the outcome of the United States, I would have to say George Washington or Abraham Lincoln.

After the revolutionary war, the leaders of the colonies basically quietly offered Washington, what would have been the kingship of America. To which Washington quietly refused, and choose to become a farmer.

And then Lincoln made choices that kept the United States one nation, and not split into two.

[Silviya]

I don't know about the greatest, but this guy is more bad ass then half of the people posted in this thread. An honorable mention at the least.

Captain Joseph Kittinger
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thyTzCU9c2U
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Kittinger

Edit:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1VdSeD...eature=related

[Sqwunk]

I think this is the next candidate for greatest american.

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...rd_simmons.jpg

[EdgeMoragan]

Theodore Roosevelt.

Read about him honestly and you'll understand why he wins hands down.

[Guitarman]

I'm going with 2.

1. George Washington. Forming the country rested squarely on his shoulders. What he did would shape what America was to become. That's alot to expect of one man. We owe everything to him.

2. Elvis. Yeah, Elvis. Not for his music specifically, but for what it did. Elvis was Rock and Roll. He took predominately black blues and bluegrass music and turned it into something wholly different. He gave something for kids to identify with. For the first time, teenagers had their own music. If America had a national music style, it would be Rock and Roll.

[Kimkytaru]

Martin Luther King is the one of the american I respect the most oh and Michael Jordan.