WEST POINT, NY (NewsNation) — From one of America’s most historic military academies, the United States Military Academy, NewsNation’s Leland Vittert and Bill O’Reilly present a Veterans Day special report, looking at America’s greatest warriors.

From the Revolutionary War that birthed the country to a future war that could end the world, this special looks at the men who helped shape our military and are training today’s modern soldiers.

“They were incredible at what they did, which was defeating the enemy,” O’Reilly said.

Below is the list of America’s greatest warriors dating back to the country’s inception, according to TV host and journalist O’Reilly:

George Washington

O’Reilly said George Washington was a warrior from a very young age. Washington, the first president of the U.S., was trained by the British. He was shot five times but didn’t stop fighting, an incredibly brave individual.

Washington was more notorious for commanding troops who weren’t trained at West Point or professionals but mostly state militias, O’Reilly says: “Washington was a committed guy and saw the big picture that colonists were getting hosed by the king of England. And he didn’t want it.”

O’Reilly adds that Washington’s leadership at Valley Forge in 1777 stands the test of time: “How he kept that together, I don’t know any general in American history that could have done what Washington did, because those men were literally starving. Washington kept them together just by sheer force of personality.”

Despite his leadership and toughness, Washington had a dark side. O’Reilly says you didn’t want to get on his bad list. “When someone broke ranks, he’d hang you. In front of everybody. And that was part of his discipline,” said O’Reilly.  

Andrew Jackson

Speaking of a no BS guy, Andrew Jackson comes to mind. O’Reilly notes that what he was able to accomplish at the Battle of New Orleans was legendary. 

“With just guys out of the woods, no-training-at-West Point guys, he kicks the British right back into the swamps. He knew how they were going to fight him, and he just outsmarted them,” says O’Reilly. 

Even without being highly educated, Jackson always went with his gut, which included the horrifying acts he committed against Native Americans. O’Reilly says Jackson knew he was going to destroy the tribes by kicking them off the land in the South. “He knew it, and he didn’t care,” he said.

“He could be a brilliant general and not a great guy,” O’Reilly stated. “If you crossed Andrew Jackson, get your pistol ready.”

Jackson’s leadership resonated with many, as he was reelected as president. “People loved him. They had confidence in him. He was a macho man,” says O’Reilly.

Ulysses Grant

Ulysses S. Grant was a hero of the Civil War, and O’Reilly says without him, the battle might have been a stalemate. “(Abraham) Lincoln dragged Grant, who was out in the hinterlands, because this guy at least will fight,” O’Reilly said.

Grant became famous for his willingness to engage in battle even when he or his troops weren’t set up for success. 

Robert E. Lee

Grant’s counterpart, Robert E. Lee, claimed heroic status for his tactical skills, according to O’Reilly.

 “Lee was brilliant in the way he deployed his troops and motivated his troops,” O’Reilly said.

The former Confederate leader holds a special place in the South with many statues, which O’Reilly notes he is more than worthy of.

“He did his duty to his state. I think in the South, there should be a historical legacy as an American warrior, not as a philosopher, not as a politician, as a warrior,” O’Reilly maintains.

George Custer

George Custer represented every good and bad thing about war. O’Reilly feels more than any other American commander … Custer loved the fighting. 

“Very young guy, troops respect him. Flamboyant,” says O’Reilly. “He loved himself. He was in it for the glory.”

After Custer decided to go West, he had no one to answer to. This led to his character becoming more arrogant and cruel towards others, O’Reilly professes.

“He was absolutely crazy. Custer wasn’t afraid, and he wound up dead in a ditch,” he says.

John Pershing

World War I’s General John Pershing, nicknamed “Black Jack,” is famous for commanding an African American battalion in World War I. 

“He was respected by his Black troops,” O’Reilly asserted. “He trained his Black troops, battled with them. And they loved him.”

However, Pershing did have a mean streak. O’Reilly says Pershing was “tough, iron tough.”

When Teddy Roosevelt was elected president, he elevated Pershing to a special rank: “General of the Armies.”

“General Pershing was perhaps the best general in American history. He was so brilliant. All of the successful generals in World War II idolized him. All of them,” says O’Reilly.

George Patton

George Patton had one goal in mind, says O’Reilly: “To go down in history as the ultimate fighting man, the ultimate brave vanquisher of evil.”

Despite his flamboyant persona, Patton was committed to his troops and instilled confidence in them to assure them they could win.

O’Reilly acknowledges that Patton did struggle with the political and diplomatic nature of military leadership. 

“Eisenhower knows he needs Patton. He also knows Patton is out of his mind, depending on what day of the week,” he states.

Omar Bradley

The GI’s general, Omar Bradley, led his troops with humility and showed the same respect to his superiors.

Bradley was named the country’s first chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight D. Eisenhower was not a warrior, but he was steeped in military tradition, says O’Reilly.

“He was more of a politician, a bureaucrat,” O’Reilly proclaims.

Known for his shrewd ability, Eisenhower was a consensus seeker and a visionary for predicting the military-industrial complex. 

“He knew there were a lot of people who wanted to make a lot of money in war. He didn’t like them. He was a smart guy,” says O’Reilly.

Douglas MacArthur

Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s brilliance during the Korean War changed the entire landscape of the fight and history, O’Reilly expresses.

But MacArthur and President Harry Truman didn’t see eye to eye, leading Truman to relieve MacArthur of his duties for contradicting his administration’s policies.

“This guy was way out there, and Truman was right to fire him,” O’Reilly says. “You can’t if you’re a general tell the president ‘no.’”

Colin Powell

Rising through the ranks in the Vietnam War, Colin Powell received recognition for doing his best in every position he was placed.

“He could have run for president if he had avoided the Iraq debacle,” O’Reilly stated.

Tommy Franks

Tommy Franks, who became the public face of the war on terror, earned his place in American history for being an efficient, technology-sophisticated general.