On Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007, the British container ship MSC Napoli was damaged and taking in water in a severe storm situation off Lizard Point – the southernmost tip of Great Britain and a notorious shipping hazard. Command was given to abandon ship and load the lifeboats, as she was sinking and her seamen's lives were at risk.

Just after 10 a.m., the Coast Guard alerted 771 Search and Rescue Squadron at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall. Two Sea King search and rescue helicopters from the 771 Naval Air Squadron were immediately commissioned to the sight.

Lt. Guy "Chuck" Norris, 42, has been enlisted in the Royal Navy for 18 years and has flown more than 200 search and rescue missions. This father of two described the tempestuous oceanic surroundings that day as the worst ever. "It was one of the most challenging missions I have been involved with. The weather on the Napoli job was very, very extreme. The sea state was high and, at times, you would look out the cockpit window and see waves coming towards you at helicopter height. There were also a lot of people to be rescued."

The helicopter crews found the seamen being tossed about in their lifeboats by swells that were 40 to 50 feet high. Petty Officer Aircrewman Jay O'Donnell was lowered and "trawled" through the waves on a rope to the lifeboats. This 33-year-old father of two later described the scene: "It was the worst conditions I have encountered. The seas were mountainous. When you are there, you are very focused about what has to be done. But looking back at some of the footage which was taken, you think, 'Oh my God, I didn't realize it was that bad.'"

After many daring and gallant measures by all these naval crewmen, the 26 seamen were snatched from the jaws of the perilous waves and airlifted to dry land – each Sea King winching up 13 survivors and flying them to safety.

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Humble warriors and just awards

As a result of their valiant courage, Petty Officer O'Donnell received the Queen's Gallantry Medal. And fellow Sea King pilots Lt. Guy "Chuck" Norris and Lt. Cmdr. Martin "Oz" Rhodes were awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery in the Air.

The latter two citations read: "Awarded for their outstanding flying skills in atrocious conditions during the rescue of the crew from the stricken MSC Napoli on 18 January 2007. Norris and Rhodes were the aircraft commanders at the same incident. Their actions resulted in all crew members being rescued and flown to safety."

"It is extremely gratifying to be recognized in this way," said Lt. Norris.

The officers also commended those who gave them their platform for heroism – those behind the scene like the coastguard, ground crew and engineers. Petty Officer O'Donnell said, "There are a lot of people in the background who you don't see but who are just as important as the people who go out."

Real heroes behind the scenes

What a great thought! Ponder again O'Donnell's words, "There are a lot of people in the background who you don't see but who are just as important as the people who go out." That statement is more true than most of us know or recognize.

Anyone who has spent his life in the limelight knows that it is the people behind the scenes that do most of the work. As even I reflect upon my life and career, there are a plethora of people who have aided my success without whom I would not be who I am nor do what I do. Even now dozens are handling background details and current operations for efforts like the World Combat League, Kickstart, various other humanitarian efforts and future ideas for more movies and books.

The power of one became a successfully reoccurring theme for many of us action heroes in Hollywood. Movies, however, are not real life but real heroes are. And while most are influenced by others to be who they are, they are still born in numbers of one and must ultimately step out with courage in the face of adversity. Norris, Rhodes and O'Donnell are proof of that and so are those who "you don't see" backing these courageous souls – including their families. As "Superman" Christopher Reeve once said, "A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."

It sounds kind of canned, but there truly is a hero in all of us. We all were designed by God to be a blessing to others – a champion to someone. Don't ever minimize yours or others' position or potential. Everyone has a place on the planet. Contributing to the culture of courage is all of our duty. As my mother has always told me, I also pass on to you: God has a plan for your life. The question is: Will we recognize our potential and offer up the power of our one unique life?

I am genuinely humbled and grateful to be a heroic-like figure to some in our world. But I am even more appreciative to be just one more man behind the scenes, after whom a true hero like Lt. Guy "Chuck" Norris associates his name.