Most people don't think what they are doing is heroic - you do what you have to do at the time, to save life. Who decides what's heroic? - other people!
My point is that people don't "have" to do anything as most of us have seen in the media. Either as a witness or upon reflection I would certainly class these men among heroes.
Heroes don't think about their actions until they have achieved their aim they just do what they have to do. Afterwards they probably think 'how the h*ll did I do that?' It is others who promote the hero by telling everyone. There are lots of unsung heroes around who just walk away unnoticed.