I think to be truly heroic, an action has to involve putting yourself in harm's way selflessly, to save somebody else.
By that standard, killing your enemy--who's already got it in for you--isn't heroic, it's just strongly motivated self-interest. Even moreso if it's literally your job and you're being paid to do it.
I would say the members of Seal Team Six are brave, courageous warriors, but they aren't necessarily heroes.
http://www.radiolab.org/story/104009-i-need-a-hero/
http://www.npr.org/2011/03/10/134387637/heroic-acts-to-prote...
I think to be truly heroic, an action has to involve putting yourself in harm's way selflessly, to save somebody else.
By that standard, killing your enemy--who's already got it in for you--isn't heroic, it's just strongly motivated self-interest. Even moreso if it's literally your job and you're being paid to do it.
I would say the members of Seal Team Six are brave, courageous warriors, but they aren't necessarily heroes.