Over a year ago, three Americans were heralded globally for their courageous action in thwarting a terrorist attack on a Paris-bound train. Two of the men — Spencer Stone and Alek Skarlatos — were service members in the United States military. Stone a staff sergeant in the Air Force, and Skarlatos a specialist in the Oregon National Guard.

Unbeknownst to all but them and a few others, they flew to Las Vegas this summer and participated in the iconic gameshow “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”.

It wasn’t discovered until their taped appearance aired this Monday and Tuesday that they knocked their showing out of the proverbial park. And won a lot of money.

A lot as in a quarter of a million dollars.

“I wanted to go for the [$500,000],” Stone confessed to Military Times. “I get too excited when I’m in that environment. Thank God Alek talked some sense into me.”

Instead of risking it all and getting a shot to answer the question worth half a million, the trio (which included their friend and fellow train hero Anthony Sadler) settled for the guaranteed lump sum in $250,000.

The gameshow was in the midst of their “Hometown Heroes Week”.

A peak at their appearance below:

The three friends have donated a portion of their winnings to programs that help vets and military families.

Stone earned the Purple Heart and Airman’s Medal after disarming the terrorist on the French railcar. He recently announced that he’ll be leaving the service at the end of November.