It means not running:
(Marine Maj. Gen. John Kelly) went to Ramadi to interview Iraqi witnesses — a task generals usually delegate to subordinates.
Some Iraqis told him they were incredulous that the two Marines had not fled.
When Marine technicians restored a damaged security camera, the images were undeniable.
While Iraqi police fled, (Corporal Jordan) Haerter and (Lance Corporal Jonathan) Yale had never flinched and never stopped firing as the Mercedes truck — the same model used in the Beirut bombing — sped directly toward them.
Without their steadfastness, the truck would probably have penetrated the compound before it exploded, and 50 or more Marines and Iraqis would have been killed. The incident happened in just six seconds.
“No time to talk it over; no time to call the lieutenant; no time to think about their own lives or even the American and Iraqi lives they were protecting,” Kelly said. “More than enough time, however, to do their duty. They never hesitated or tried to escape.”
Semper Fi.
I know nothing of the criteria for deciding the awarding of our nation’s military honors. But from things I have read about heroic deeds and the awarding of medals it would seem like the actions of these two heros would merit strong consideration for the Medal of Honor.
If I am off base here I’d welcome the education from those more qualified than me in such matters.
My first reaction was akin to OldT’s: MoH.
We’ve given them (posthumously) to other of our brethren who jumped on grenades when others fled. This strikes me as not much different, and certainly having a larger practical contribution, given the size of the bomb.
I agree with OldTFlyer.
If this is not a MoH moment then what truly is?
I have been told that someone must witness such an act. Hell it was all recorded. I believe that those PICTURES are worth more than a thousand words.
2 Marines that did not give a second thought about what it would mean for them, but cared about what it would mean for their brothers & sisters as they protected their backs.
AND PROTECT THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS THEY DID.
COMMITTED TO THEIR VERY LAST BREATH.
TRUE MARINES.
May they find peace and rest as they guard the Streets of God’s House.
An oft asked question, “Where do we find these heroes?”. Darned if I know, but our Country always has.
Semper Fi indeed.
God Bless.
“I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.” – Abraham Lincoln’s letter to Mrs. Bixby who lost two sons in the Civil War.
Semper Fi
Libation just spilled in their honor, from cup and eyeballs both.
May I do one hundredth as well, when my time comes!
Oh, yeah, there are well-earned Ms of H for lesser deeds than this. Also, it would be nice to hang that thing about the neck of someone who is still above ground. We used to do that.
As much as I try to see the good in our youth of today in the malls, and such, it is very hard to discern. Then I read of these fine young men, and I’m overcome with good spirit for the future of our great nation. Thank God for for gracing us with their presence. We are truly fortunate.
Yeah. What everyone else has said.
I tend to think of my school as the old school when it comes to this. “Thank you for the medal but I was just doing my duty, the best I could, as I saw it at the time.” I would like to think that these young men were of the opinion that they were sentries, on duty, with an obligation to defend those behind them and who chose instantaneously and spontaneously to act precisely as they were trained and indoctrinated to act in the circumstances. They died in the performance of their duty but so have millions of other Americans in similar circumstances.
It is nothing but a personal opinion but I think we need to reconsider giving every brave warrior the Medal of Honor posthumously.
Read one way, it sounds heartless but me? I wonder. Assigned the duty to stand and defend a post they did what duty demanded at the cost of their lives. They were brave and they did their duty at the cost of their lives as have millions of America’s sailors, soldiers, airmen and marines.
The question is often asked if the younger generation has the “right stuff” to the same degree as their fore-bearers. We now have unimpeachable proof concerning at least two of them……unfortunately.
A helluva way to find out.
“The moving finger writes, and haven writ, moves on…….”
They would have felt right at home with the Spartans and the 300.
Amazing and wonderful… it’s so terrific to read of our young people who perform like this. Thank you, Marines!
I’m sorry you lost, no… we’ve all lost, two wonderful young men.
Definitely both merit a Medal of Honor.
They both had time to know the full extent of the danger they faced and as the seconds ticked by they chose to lay down their lives for their brothers in arms and duty.
Marines!
May they stand proudly at the feet of the Creator.
I agree. When General Kelly says that they went above and beyond, even for Marines, that says that they both should gets Medals of Honor.
Might as well cast a vote, and I’m with Curtis.
The Navy Cross is due precisely because these men did their duty, did their jobs, and did so knowing they probably wouldn’t live through it.
The Medal of Honor? That strikes me as a medal that needs to be reserved for the suicidal, the desperate, those that didn’t have a probable hope. Those that did what they did without a thought of themselves.
It’s interesting to note that over the course of the years thousands of young men have stood their station, perhaps trying to light the boilers on the Arizona or put out the fires on the Yorktown, but these men aren’t decorated.
It’s good that we decorate these men. It’s unfortunate that so many remain unknown and anonymous in our history.
– Max
“Greater love has no man than this, that some man lay down his life for his friends.”
(John 15:13) ACV
I don’t know how anyone can disrespect those who serve. Not all of use were called upon to pay the ultimate price, but we can honor those who did.
Yes, others above said it better than I. They are indeed hero’s.
…To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. – Tennyson.
I think the name of the medal is much less important than the recognition these young men have received that they are indeed heros. That other warriors, old and young, admire and treasure them. That a grateful nation salutes them and that a generation is represented by them. Gives an old man hope.
Bravo Zulu, young Marines.
“Greater love hath no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
They are not dead while the lives they touched continue and the corps they are gallant members lives on.
With deepest respects and sympathy to their loved ones.
What an honor it is to know that such young men exist in our country.
The last lines of the article say it all:
‘Staff Sgt. Grooms, 28, said he knows how Haerter should be remembered.
“He was a hero,” Grooms said, “and a damn fine person.”‘
They make me proud beyond words that I too once wore the same uniform they did. May God Almighty keep their souls and comfort their families.
Every once in a while the L.A. Times gets something right — and telling the story of these two Marines was the right thing to do and done right, too.
Good training and an instilled sense of duty which, unfortunately, meant that these two young men died so that many more would live. A sad truth for which the civilian world here at home needs to understand and honor the entire military because, in the larger sense, the military serves as Yale and Haerter for us. The press needs to do more stories like this one.
They are getting what they deserved-I tell their families thanks, and RIP:(
I am humbled by such heroic men; and made speechless, but for this feeble effort to offer tribute. God be with their families.
Semper Fi, honored brethren.
It means not running. That says so much, Lex.
It matters not if their families receive a Silver Star, a Navy Cross, or the Medal of Honor. What symbol of heroism is posthumously presented changing nothing about their actions that day. They stood, and gave everything. They turned to the threat, raised their weapons and did their duty.
Semper Fidelis, indeed.
Thanks USMC.
I feel unworthy to live in a country defended by such brave men as these. I can barely believe such exist. God bless and protect our armed forces.
Ron,
I believe your “where do we find these heroes” is a PCized version of Michner’s “Where do we get such men?”
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: if you have not read “Bridges at Toko Ri” you are missing the quintessential Naval Aviation book. (And it is an un-Michner short book too).
Happy New Year, all. God’s blessing on you and yours.
Nose
MoH these days seems to always have to have involved moving towards the attacking enemy; standing your post doesn’t count. There was supposedly a fuss about someone who did get the MoH recently because he’d drawn the grenade under his body rather than crawling over it. REMFs, even the Corps has them.
Most, most very well done, Marines; rest in honored peace. May my prayers comfort your families.
Semper Fi!
Nose, BATR was a good read. Good movie also I thought, especially at the age I saw it.
There are innumerable phrases similar to the one that Mitchner uses in his book: some of the more famous ones are by Patton, Lincoln, Grant, Lee, and others of similar stature.
“…And each man stands with his face in the light of his own drawn sword. Ready to do what a hero can….” —Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Regards,
Ron,
Re-read my post, and I sounded more Dicky than usual! Sorry.
And you are correct, a great movie. Nose + Grace Kelly 4ever!
Love the Browning quote.
I missed this one originally. Semper Fidelis Devildogs. Well Done.
Top Gwinn
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived. ” Patton, George S