Diehard

Coined in the most literal way possible, on the battlefield. At the Battle of Albuera in 1811, during the Peninsular War, Lieutenant-Colonel William Inglis of the 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot was badly wounded by canister shot but refused to leave the field, reportedly urging his men on with the words "Die hard, 57th, die hard!" The regiment held its ground despite devastating losses, roughly 422 of its 570 soldiers killed or wounded, and earned the permanent nickname "The Die-Hards."