Natale, homeless, in coma after defending women against gang

In 2003, Natale Morea, a guy living on the streets of Rome, saw a group of would-be (and who knows, maybe actual) rapists attack a group of women.

Natale got involved, apparently, doing enough for the women to escape, at which the gang decided to kick his head into a coma.

He was given the Medaglia d’Oro al Merito Civile – similar to Britain’s George Medal – in Italy’s New Year’s honours list.