The terms hero and courageous are sometimes tossed around too easily. However, the actions of three American men in subduing an apparent terrorist on a high-speed train traveling from Amsterdam to Paris were truly heroic and courageous.

Alex Skarlatos, a National Guardsman based in Oregon; Antony Sadler, a senior at California State University in Sacramento, and Spencer Stone, a member of the Air Force had only seconds to decide whether to take cover or attack heavily armed gunman Ayoub El Khazzani when his AK-47 appeared to jam.

“Get him,” witnesses heard Mr. Skarlatos yell. With his two friends, all in their 20s, he did just that. If the attacker had unjammed his weapon or quickly reached for another, any or all of the three could have ended up giving their lives to try to stop what by all appearances was about to be a mass killing.

Instead, the would-be killer had no time to enable his weapon, as he was pummeled and subdued by the men and Chris Norman, a British citizen who joined in the counterattack. Mr. Stone, the first to reach the gunman, suffered several slash wounds, including a nearly severed thumb, as the failed terrorist used a box cutter in attempt to fend off Mr. Stone and the others. 

Showing his appreciation and recognizing the actions of the men likely averted a massacre on the train, French President Francois Hollande presented the three Americans with Legion of Honor medals, his nation’s highest recognition.

The episode raises interesting questions as to what is the best response to such a situation — an armed attacker or attackers bent on taking as many lives as possible in a crowded, public domain.

The Brit, Mr. Norman, made an interesting point in talking to reporters.

“I’d rather die being active, trying to get him down, than simply sit in the corner and be shot,” said Mr. Norman. “Either you sit down and you die or you get up and you die. It was really nothing more than that.”

Having the bravery to act in such a situation is much more than that. It is a terrible decision for anyone to face, but one that others will be sure to confront in the world we live in.