Here’s another one to file in your “where do we get such men” folder:
In May of 2005, Marines stationed in Anbar province began a week-long hunt to root out insurgents and foreign fighters in the volatile areas around the Syrian border. Dubbed Operation Matador, those tasked with carrying out the mission encountered enemies who had dug in and were ready to fight: deadly roadside bombs, sniper attacks, and several well-planned ambushes.
One day after the operation began, then-Lance Cpl. Camp and his company were sent to New Ubaydi on a house-clearing mission. As Camp’s squad entered one of the houses, insurgents hiding in a closet and in an underground crawlspace opened fire, shooting four Marines. Camp, outside, heard the gunfight and immediately ran inside to help. Three separate times he entered and exited the building to recover his squad members and clear the house of insurgents.
Before the story’s done, CPL Camp has to beat a fire out twice – he was the guy on fire – while trying to to rescue his wounded brothers from a AAV that had been crippled by an IED strike, even as the rounds cook off within the vehicle and insurgents take potshots outside of it.
“Semper Fidelis” – it’s more than just a Latin phrase.
You’re going to want to read the whole thing, I think.
My god…