Chris Adlesperger – Someone you should know about:
On Nov. 10, 2004, in 30 minutes of close combat, Marine Pfc. Christopher Adlesperger, a soft-spoken, religious young man who loved poetry and art, attacked an enemy stronghold in Fallouja, Iraq, and killed at least 11 insurgents.
He killed them with his M-16 and with his grenade launcher. He killed them at such close range he could hear the blood gurgling in their mouths and noses.
He killed insurgents who were heavily armed and probably high on drugs — and who had just killed his close friend, Lance Cpl. Erick Hodges.
He protected two wounded squad members from attack and saved innumerable Marines.
When it was over, Adlesperger’s face had been bloodied by shrapnel and he had bullet holes in the sleeve and collar of his uniform. He refused to be evacuated until Hodges’ body was recovered.
“It was a tremendous bit of fighting,” said Col. Patrick Malay, the battalion commander. “He was a quiet kid, but he was remarkable. He was one tough bastard.”
For his bravery, Adlesperger is among a handful of Marines who have been nominated for the Medal of Honor in Iraq.
A month later Adlesperger was killed in a re-sweep in Fallujah, while leading from the front.
“The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” – Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.” — Laurence Binyon
With tears all I can say is “oh no, not this one”.
Lex,
I couldn’t help but note the coincidence….that this piece is closely followed by Foley’s Follies. While we read of ex-Congressman Foley and his evil deeds, we are reminded that there are those individuals in this evil world that are good and just and right…there *are* those individuals that place their nation and others before self.
Look at their eyes. Look at what they are saying:
Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,”Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? “And I said, “Here I AM. Send me!”
May we always be worthy of such men.
And in the LA Times, no less. Good article.
Thanks for finding this, Father Lex.
God Bless the Lance Corporals. In no other country in the world can a 20yr old junior Enlisted Man be so critical to our purpose, and so effective in the application of American Will, Force, and Compassion. Lance Corporals are doing a better job at being the finest ambassadors of America than any other foreign service officer or diplomat.
How proud his country is of LCPL Adlesperger, and how humbled we are by his family’s strength, and support to our country! Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, and our undying gratitude for allowing their son to be shown as the Hero he is, even though he was with us for far too short a time.
Thank you, and accept our condolences and our most grateful sorrow for your loss.
Press on, Gents. To Victory.
Subsunk
Where do such men come from?
I am convinced that young men like Chris cannot be picked out ahead of time as heros. It is part of them, their genetic makeup that predisposes them to commit deeds above and beyond what would be the norm in their peergroup. That and the values that were inculcated by someone in their formative years. He had it in him. Those for whom they all serve must honor them. I love these guys and I am always in awe of them. I have loved them from my first exposure to them as an butterbar-to-be three decades ago. God bless him and those like him. May he enjoy all comforts of the Angels and the Saints from the day of his passing into the Mansions of the Lord. GreyEagleO6
God rest him.
There but for the grace of God.
BZ Corporal Adelsperger.
I hope his family gets the CMH.
Chris accomplished more in his short life than some do in their entire life. What an inspiration and hopefully inspire others to use his dedication and believes in what it means to be an American Marine. I toss my hat up to you Chris.