These 10 Inspiring Photos Show the Heroes of Superstorm Sandy

While some Americans were safe and sound as superstorm Sandy ravaged the East Coast Monday night, many others were stranded, or worse, in life threatening danger. Tragically, the storm has already claimed the lives of 39 people and that number is expected to climb over the next few days.

But without the brave men and women that knowingly put themselves in harm's way to save others, that number would undoubtedly be significantly higher. So that we don't take their sacrifice for granted; so we don't forget what makes us Americans, here are 10 of the most heroic moments to result from superstorm Sandy:

10.

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 29: Fire fighters use a saw in an attempt to remove a partially collapsed door due to Hurricane Sandy on October 29, 2012 in New York, United States. Hurricane Sandy, which threatens 50 million people in the eastern third of the U.S., is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City will bus, subway and commuter rail service as of Sunday evening. (Credit: Getty Images)

9.

Medical workers assist a patient into an ambulance during an evacuation of New York University's Tisch Hospital, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in New York. The New York City hospital is moving out more than 200 patients after its backup generator failed when the power was knocked out by a superstorm. (Credit: AP)

8.

FDNY inflatable boats travel along 14th street towards the East River on a rescue mission in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in New York. Sandy continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain. (Credit: AP)

7.

Firefighters work at the scene of a house fire in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, in Lindenhurst, N.Y. According to firefighters at the scene, four homes were destroyed by fire overnight in Lindenhurst, and six in Massapequa. (Credit: AP)

6.

With the aid of New Jersey State police, a man walks with his dog to a National Guard vehicle after leaving his flooded home at the Metropolitan Trailer Park in Moonachie, N.J., Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, in the wake of superstorm Sandy. Sandy arrived along the East Coast and morphed into a huge and problematic system, putting more than 7.5 million homes and businesses in the dark and causing a number of deaths. (Credit: AP)

5.

Dog rescued from superstorm Sandy (source: Twitter; @princessGwenie1)

4.

Manasquan firefighter Sean Price wades through chest-high water to rescue trapped residents from a home underwater. (Source: Buzzfeed/nj.com)

3.

National Guard, Maryland State Police, and Crisfield police work together to assist a resident into a National Guard truck to be evacuated after the effects of superstorm Sandy, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, in Crisfield, Md. (Credit: AP)

2.

Firefighters work the scene of a rural house fire at 5064 North 333 West, near Jalapa, Ind. on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012. (Credit: AP)

1.

New York City firefighters battle a blaze on Rockaway Beach Boulevard on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, in New York. (Credit: AP)

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(H/T: BuzzFeed)