In 1944, a US Soldier was patrolling in Italy when he heard a noise coming from a wicker basket. He reactively pointed his machine gun at it, thinking it was a Nazi soldier, when an Italian woman came out screaming, put herself in front of his gun (pressed her stomach against it, specifically) and pleaded for him not to shoot. She had hidden her toddlers, aged 3 to 6, in the basket when she heard troops approaching.
Now 97, said soldier has been reunited with the children, who are now in their 80s. Just so you know, the story will absolutely make you cry.