CMDR OLIVER PERRY: HAZARD, YES; COWS, NO

Oliver Hazard Perry was one of our greatest naval heroes -- but one with a curious, almost laughable flaw.
In the famed Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812, Perry trounced the British fleet even after having his own ship shot out from under him.
"We have met the enemy and they are ours," he famously wrote.
No one could doubt his courage under fire -- rifle balls, cannon shot, the shrapnel of splintered decking, fire, swords, pikes. None of that fazed him.
One thing, however -- at least according to some sources -- absolutely terrified the stalwart naval leader.
Cows.
That's right, cows. We're not talking just about bull ring bullies who willfully gore any careless matador. We're talking about humble Herefords, tranquil Guernseys, Jerseys, the blandest of bovines. Elsie. Any kind of cow.
Perry was so phobic, he would go miles out of his way just to avoid a pasture known to have grazing cattle. Or even a single cow.
His fear was so great, he was unnerved even by the sound of mooing.
So he chose his career wisely.
Just give him a ship, the open sea and the sky. Here men were men, they drank rum and a scorned any cow like, even the pasty whiteness of milk.