4. Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor’s 40-year Army career, culminating in heroics during the Mexican-American War, made him a national icon. He was known as ‘Old Rough and Ready’ for his leadership style. He won decisive victories at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and most famously Buena Vista (1847), where his smaller force defeated a much larger Mexican army under Santa Anna. These victories made him a national hero and paved the way for his presidency.
