And four Silver Stars (one posthumous) for members of 2nd Platoon, Company F, Battalion Landing Team 2/1:
On Thursday, (Navy Corpsman Jesse) Hickey was among five military personnel with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment honored at Camp Pendleton for their bravery on the cold, chaotic morning of Nov. 16, 2005.
Hickey, former Cpl. Javier Alvarez and Gunnery Sgt. Robert W. Homer were each awarded the Silver Star. A Silver Star was also awarded posthumously to 2nd Lt. Donald R. McGlothlin.
The Navy Cross, the second-highest medal for bravery that can be bestowed on a Marine or sailor, was awarded to Lance Cpl. Joshua Mooi.
Mooi attacked the insurgents at close range with grenades and his M-16. Six times he went into the ambush site, helping a dozen Marines to escape and killing four insurgents. When his rifle was destroyed by enemy fire, he grabbed one from a downed Marine and kept firing.
According to Navy Times, the Navy Cross – the second highest award for valor – has been awarded to 16 Marines and one Navy corpsman during combat operations in Iraq. More here.
Where do we get such men?
We got these from Mankato, Minnesota (pop. 32,000). Vail, Arizona (2,484). Farmington, New Mexico (42,000). Lebanon, Virginia (3,273). Bollingbrook, Illinois (56,000).
Semper Fi and Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Read the longer version at the Navy Times site. To some, when the firing begins, every fiber in them says “RUN!” In this case, one more example of those who do, but to the sound of the gunfire, for the sake of their comrades.
Future leaders of America all, in or out of uniform.
Salute.
Amen… and Amen.
Bravo Zulu, and G-d bless.
I always wish to comment on this kind of post, but nothing I can ever think of seems fitting or big enough. I’m just so proud of and grateful to these men. May God Bless them ALL.
January, 2007, I was in DC on business. Second or third day, I noticed a fairly sizeable group of short haired young men checking in the hotel. Next day, headed out, I saw them — all decked out in their Marine dress blues. Trained observer that I am, I noticed first their rank, then looked at their awards. When I saw my second Cpl or LCpl with Silver Stars, I was quickly humbled to be in the presence of true heroes. Turns out they were there for the posthumos award of the MOH to their 7th Marines shipmate, Cpl Jason Dunham (hometown Scio, NY — population 1,914).
Take a look at this list, then ask yourself how many of their stories of heroism have appeared in our media, especially those honored for service in Iraq. One thing to honor a SEAL officer in “the good war” — quite another to honor a Corpsman Apprentice from Iraq. It is a barometer that ten times as many Americans can tell you who Lynndie England is than who know the name of Luis Fonseca? Agenda? Naawwww.
Also, this story is pretty interesting. Can’t blame this one on the NY Times’ agenda.
I’m guessing that took place on the wrong side of a line.