There have been Knights; men of chivalrous conduct, in wars almost from the beginning of history. They have occupied center stage in their own era for a time, then they are replaced by others.

Perhaps the first Knight of history wore the red battle cloak of the city state of Sparta, some 2,500 years ago. The man coming in through the door of history might be one of the 300 Spartans that made up the personal body guard of King Leonidas - the guard that preferred to die by the hand of Xerkes and the tens of thousands of the Persian army rather than give up the body of their king.

Next to enter through this portal might wear the bronze breastplate of a Roman Legionnaire, perhaps of the Tenth Legion; Caesar’s favorite. The walls of Rome were her Legions, so mighty were these knights.

Taking his place next to these knights might be wearing the rampant lion of England and the cross of the Holy War. Richard the Lion Heart, who cut through heavy chain with his broadsword, was such a knight.

Perhaps the next might carry the delicately curved blade of the Saracen. Saladin, whose slender curved blade could slice a silk scarf with ease, and his foe Richard of England, both respected each other as a knight and a chivalrous warrior.

In World War I it was the aviator, with his leather helmet and white silk scarf who was the knight. Perhaps it was Raoul Luffberry of the Lafayette Escadrille; perhaps Baron Manfried von Richtoffen with the red tri-winged plane; perhaps Captain Eddie Rickenbacker who lived through the combat to head one of America’s largest airlines. These were the knights.

In World War II, it was the U-Boat commander who fought the chivalrous fight. Perhaps it was Schulz of U-124 helping the survivors right their lifeboats; perhaps it was Kuhlmann of U-166 giving fresh water and cigarettes to the men of the ship he just sank; perhaps Hartenstein of U-156 trying to save the people off the LACONIA while the Allies were bombing him.

The knights stand side by side on the stage of history. Perhaps they shuffle their feet a little, while waiting for the next knight to come through the door. They wait, glance at the door, but no knight emerges. The knights are all gone, there is no more chivalry in battle. Slowly they fade in a wisp of smoke and are gone.