Stuff You Won't See in the Main Stream News

[Vulture6]

Hero receives Silver Star for bravery
Submitted by: MCB Camp Lejeune
Story Identification #: 2004819103545
Story by Pfc. Lucian Friel


MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (August 6, 2004) -- The scars on his arms were reminders of the sacrifice he made to save his fellow Marines lives amiss combat in Iraq, earning him the Marine Corps' third highest award.

Gunnery Sgt. Timothy P. Haney, 39, a native of Clearfield, Pa., received the Silver Star Medal in a ceremony at the base theater August 6.

The medal, designated solely for heroism in combat, was awarded to Haney for his distinct bravery and fearlessness in action against enemy forces as platoon sergeant of the Combined Anti-Armor Platoon, Weapons Company, 2d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Task Force Tarawa, I Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 20 to April 3, 2003. During this period his leadership, personal sacrifice and calming influence enabled his platoon to repeatedly engage and defeat enemy forces in close combat.

From March 23 to 26, while conducting missions to destroy enemy tanks and other heavy armored vehicles, Haney's platoon participated in firefights with Iraqi Military and Paramilitary forces in An Nasariyah, Iraq, during which his personal example, while under fire, set the tone for the platoon's tactical success.

During one direct fire engagement against a heavy machine gun, he dismounted his vehicle to gain awareness of the enemy's positions, exposing himself to enemy fire and providing higher headquarters with vital situational awareness.

On March 26, 2003, as the battalion's Main Command Operations Center came under attack from two directions, Haney raced through intense fire placing Marines in defensive positions and directing their fire. An explosion riddled Haney's body with 60 pieces of shrapnel as he began preparing wounded Marines for evacuation. Ignoring his wounds he continued transporting injured Marines to the Battalion Aid Station, refusing medical attention until everyone else had been treated.

"You just act sometimes. You simply remember the drills and muscle memory takes over your body," he said. "I did what every Marine in 2/8 would have done if they were in my position. They're all just as deserving of this medal as I am."

Haney's wife Jackie and son Robert, 12, were on hand to watch their Marine receive the medal, which was originally established in 1918 as the Citation Star. In 1932, the Silver Star was redesigned as a medal with a retroactive provision allowing servicemembers as far back as the Spanish-American War (1898) to receive it for gallant actions.

"I'm very proud of my dad today, he's an American hero and he's my hero," said Robert.



MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (August 6, 2004) -- Gunnery Sergeant Timothy P. Haney, a 39-year-old, Clearfield, Pa. native and platoon sergeant for Combined Anti-Armor Team, 2d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, recieves the Silver Star Medal from Maj. Gen. Stephen T. Johnson, 2d Marine Division commanding general in a ceremony at the Base Theater. Haney was awarded this, one of the Corps' top decorations, for conspicuous gallantry during Operation Iraqi Freedom II when he was wounded by shrapnel and put his Marines ahead of himself to ensure their safety. Photo by: Pfc. Lucian Friel

[Vulture6]

OIF Sgt. pins on Bronze Star
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification #: 2004813115157
Story by Lance Cpl. Jess Levens


MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. (August 13, 2004) -- A sergeant in the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program received a Bronze Star with Combat "V" device July 30 for courageous acts during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Col. Salvador J. Calleros, depot deputy chief of staff pinned the award on Sgt. Christopher M. Genetti in a formation at Friday Morning Colors at Pendleton Hall.

"I feel honored to receive this award," said Genetti. "But I just did what any Marine would do. The boys that were there with me, they're the real heroes."

Genetti said he isn't very deserving of the award because he only did what was expected of him, but his Marines disagree.

"There is no doubt that he deserves this award," said Keith. "If you look at the criteria for the Bronze Star, it should just show a photo of Sgt. Genetti."

Genetti served as a squad leader for 2nd Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force. According to Genetti's citation, Co. C received enemy contact April 1, 2003, after crossing the Saddam Canal in Iraq. Genetti positioned the other two squads on his flanks and maneuvered his squad into combat. Using one team to suppress the enemy, he maneuvered another team to the objective and captured two Iraqi soldiers. After hearing that another unit was receiving fire from a nearby building, Genetti personally neutralized Iraqi soldiers from a distance of 400 meters.

"Sgt. Genetti is an incredible man," said Cpl. Michael Keith, a Marine who served with Genetti. "His natural leadership ability is uncanny. He just confidently took control of the situation and got us back home alive."

Genetti also acted as platoon commander - normally an officer position - for a brief period, according to Keith.

"We've been back to Iraq since then," said Lance Cpl. Jamil Alkattan, who served in Genetti's platoon. "I wouldn't have made it back home the second time if it wasn't for (Genetti). We took the knowledge he gave us and we came home alive. He definitely earned his Bronze Star. He's a big reason I'm alive today."

After completing MECEP Preparatory School here Aug. 4, Genetti heads to Norwich University, Vt. After earning a degree, he will become an officer candidate.

Authorized Feb. 4, 1944 the Bronze Star medal is awarded to members of all branches of military service and may be awarded either for combat heroism or for meritorious service.

The bronze "V" device identifies the award as resulting from an act of combat heroism, or valor, thus distinguishing it from meritorious achievement awards.


Sgt Christopher M. Genetti, a MECEP Marine, shakes hands with Col. Salvador J. Calleros, depot deputy chief of staff, after receiving the Bronze Star with Combat "V" device. Genetti was chosen for the award because of his selfless heroics during Operation Iraqi Freedom last year. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Jess Levens

[Vulture6]

Cpl. Thomas W. Kuster has been awarded the Purple Heart three times in Iraq -- once last lear and twice this year. Kuster was wounded last year in Bahgdad and twice this year in operations in Fallujah. Kuster, from Citrus Heights, Calif., and assinged to Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, was standing behind his MK-19 automatic grenade launcher firing at the enemy in Fallujah when he was wounded the second time.
(Photo courtesy John Moore, Associated Press)

1st Marine Division's wounded press on
Submitted by: 1st Marine Division
Story Identification Number: 200451085234
Story by Gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva


CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq(May 9, 2004) -- Pfc. Quintin D. Graves thought the Purple Heart was some sort of mysterious and antiquated medal when he joined the Marine Corps in July 2003.

Less than a year later, he's wearing two of them.

"I thought it was for people from World War II or Vietnam," said the 19-year-old from Salt Lake City. "I didn't think this many people would be injured in Iraq."

Commanders knew different. Maj. Gen. James N. Mattis, commanding general of the 1st Marine Division, warned Marines in his letter to all hands before deploying to Iraq that the road to victory would be paid for in blood.

"This is our test - our Guadalcanal, our Chosin Reservoir, our Hue City," Mattis wrote. "We must be under no illusions about the nature of the enemy and the dangers that lie ahead."

For that reason, the Purple Heart, rarely seen on a Marine's uniform for years, is destined to become more common. In all, 608 Marines, sailors and soldiers assigned to the 1st Marine Division have earned the right to wear the Purple Heart as of May 9th, with 370 already awarded. Second Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment has the dubious distinction of authorizing the most for a battalion at 143.

The ranks run from private first class through lieutenant colonel. Still, the numbers continue to climb.

Six Marines, including Graves, received the medal twice.

Other two-time recipients include Pfc. Michael J. Jones from Battery L, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, awarded for wounds received on April 11th and 26th. Gunnery Sgt. Wallace M. Mains from Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment earned his Purple Hearts on April 6th and again ten days later. Lance Cpl. Lucas P. Seielstad, from Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment was awarded the medal on April 22nd and 26th. Lance Cpl. Gary Vanleuven, from Company L, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment earned the right to the Purple Heart March 30th and again posthumously April 17, when he was killed in action.

Purple Heart history

The Purple Heart is oldest military decoration for the U.S. military, according to the Military Order of the Purple Heart, a fraternal organization for those who wear the decoration. It was originally authorized by Gen. George Washington Aug. 7, 1782 in Newburgh, N.Y., at his headquarters. It was created as the Badge of Military Merit, but fell out of use after the Revolutionary War.

The U.S. War Department revived the award on Feb. 22, 1932, to be awarded to members of the military wounded by an instrument of war by the enemy. It was also presented to the next of kin for those killed in action or those who died as a result of their wounds. The medal, in its reintroduction, was specifically designated as a combat decoration, retaining the words "For Military Merit" on the reverse side.

Still, the Marines and sailors weren't authorized to wear the medal until President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an Executive Order Dec. 3, 1942. President Ronald Reagan amended the order Feb. 23, 1984 to include those who were wounded or killed as the result of international terrorists.

One medal not wanted

Graves had the distinction of being the first Marine in the division to be awarded the Purple Heart twice during this deployment. But Graves never thought he'd be among those who wear the Purple Heart. Even after two weeks in Iraq and hearing the stories from the soldiers, he thought it couldn't be as bad as they made it out.

He described the day he was first wounded, March 13.

"Everybody was sitting straight up in the humvee," Graves explained. "We weren't getting down behind the blast doors. We didn't think it could be that bad."

Graves thought his corporal was being overly cautious when he told him to crouch down in the vehicle. Five minutes later, he said, the world seemed to erupt around him.

Graves' humvee was blasted by an improvised explosive device. He figured he must have blacked out. When he realized what was going on, the humvee was sitting still. No one was moving. He reached back for his corporal, only to see he was severely wounded. One Marine lost an eye. Another's jaw was torn apart.

He said he remembered pulling a patch of gauze from his pocket and wondering how he was going to patch the wounds of his fellow Marines.

"I didn't even know I was injured until everyone was medevaced and I was checked out," Graves said. "They said I was hit."

"I took shrapnel to my left arm," he added. "I made it out easy. I didn't want the Purple Heart for that, but there's nothing you can do. I guess it's not up to me."

Graves' second award came April 7, during the fighting in Ar Ramadi. His platoon was sent out to reinforce another unit pinned down. They came upon a dead terrorist who was shot while trying to emplace an IED - a trigger for an ambush - when someone tossed a grenade over a wall.

"I looked back and it happened to be luck," he explained. "I saw it land. It was one of those pineapple-looking grenades. We just started running and I kept thinking 'It should have blown by now.'"

When it did, Graves was all too aware. Shrapnel peppered his left calf, left thigh, buttocks, his back and left shoulder.

"I knew I was it," he said. "It was like someone punched me. After it blew I was still running so I figured it couldn't be that bad. A hail of gunfire followed and I kicked in a gate to a house and took cover.

"I felt blood coming down my butt," he added. "It burned so bad."

Another Marine patched Graves' wounds and he finished out the mission. For the second time in less than a month, he called home to his mother.

"I tried to explain it wasn't that bad," Graves said. "I couldn't lie and say I'm not around the fighting. That lie doesn't work anymore."

Kuster's still standing

Cpl. Thomas W. Kuster figured there was no way he'd be hit in Iraq this year. After all, he was wounded last year in Baghdad. The odds seemed to be in his favor.

"They got me once," said the 28-year-old from Citrus Heights, Calif. "I figured they weren't getting me again."

Kuster was in a machine gun squad in Baghdad April 10, 2003 when he took cover between two cars during street fighting.

"It didn't cover me from the guy on the roof," he said. "I got a lot of 'frag' in the hand and the arm."

Kuster said he felt more pressure than pain when he was hit last year.

"My initial reaction was I was pissed," he said. "My Marines took him out."

But luck wasn't on his side. On April 12, almost a year to the day of his first wounds, Kuster's squad moved from a checkpoint outside of Fallujah to check out some dead space from where they received fire. They couldn't find any sign and turned to move back to their original position.

"As soon as the vehicle turned, they fired," Kuster said.

One round hit Kuster on the side of his left kneecap as he stood behind his MK-19 automatic grenade launcher.

"It was excruciating pain," Kuster said. "I pulled myself back up and they started shooting again. I got off a couple bursts. I could see a bullet hole in my cammies and thought, "Oh shit.' It pissed me off more than anything."

Kuster fought to keep his gun in action. He battled the pain to stand behind his gun when it jammed. He couldn't stand any longer. By then, the humvee he was in had broken contact.

"I was laughing and joking about it," Kuster said. "I told everyone I was going to be back out soon. I wasn't going home."

Doctors removed the bullet from the back of Kuster's knee. He had a fractured tibia, but otherwise, was ready to return to his Marines.

"I've got a pretty good-sized hole in my knee that's taking it's own sweet time to heal," he said.

April 16, he made the phone call home to his girlfriend to tell her he was fine. He reassured his parents that he was back inside the base and there were never attacks there. But he spoke too soon.

Third time's a charm

Kuster laid down in his tent after he was done with his phone calls. That's when he heard rockets scream into the base. Shrapnel tore through the tent, hitting him dead center in his back.

"It wasn't bad," he explained. "It was a laceration. It wasn't really that deep."

He tried to keep away from the doctors, but was ordered to the battalion aid station where medical officers looked at him, saying, "No Kuster, don't even tell me."

Despite his three times being wounded, none of Kuster's Marines think he's a bad luck charm. In fact, they see it the opposite way.

"Nobody around me seems to get hit," he said laughing. "A couple of my friends joke that I'm a bullet sponge."

In fact, Kuster doesn't even worry about his three Purple Hearts. He doesn't go out on combat patrols for now, but volunteers to help out where he can. He doesn't want to be anywhere else.

"My parents begged me to come home," Kuster said. "Everyone can't believe this is happening. But, I felt like if I was to go, I'd be turning my back on my Marines."

In fact, Kuster's more confident now than ever that he wants to make a career out of the Corps, although, he is considering a job change.

"I was thinking about intelligence," he said. "That seems fun. The doctors said I should be able to make a full recovery. The rocket hits were the only thing that truly rattled me inside, but I'm pretty much the same as I was... except I walk with a limp."

Sticking it out

Kuster's attitude of sticking with his unit isn't uncommon among the Marines wounded in Iraq. Among those wounded, 427 have returned to duty.

"Right after I got hit the first time, I wanted to go home," Graves admitted. "I didn't care about what we were trying to do. I'd only been here two weeks and got hit.

"I couldn't do that now," he added. "I wouldn't be able to leave my platoon behind. That would bug me for the rest of my life. It's one of those honor things, I guess... honor, courage and commitment."

"We've got tons of heroes from all ranks" said Sgt. Maj. Wayne R. Bell, sergeant major for 1st Marine Division.

"When I see those acts... that's what is expected when you're put in this division," said the 47-year-old Bostonian.

Graves' wounds are pretty much healed now, but he said one thing still nags him. He knows that once he returns to Camp Pendleton, he'll be getting stares.

"It makes me feel like everyone will be looking at me, especially if I'm still a (private first class)," he said. "Now that I have the medal, some of the mystery is gone, but it still holds a lot of respect for me."

[Vulture6]

Rochester, N.Y. Marine, receives Navy Cross
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification Number: 200456162723
Story by Cpl. Jeremy Vought



MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(May 6, 2004) -- Marine Capt. Brian R. Chontosh received the Navy Cross Medal from the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, during an awards ceremony Thursday at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Training Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Three other Marines received medals for valor at the same ceremony.

Chontosh, 29, from Rochester, N.Y. , received the naval service's second highest award for extraordinary heroism while serving as Combined Anti-Armor Platoon Commander, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom March 25, 2003. The Medal of Honor is the highest military award.

While leading his platoon north on Highway 1 toward Ad Diwaniyah, Chontosh's platoon moved into a coordinated ambush of mortars, rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapons fire. With coalitions tanks blocking the road ahead, he realized his platoon was caught in a kill zone.

He had his driver move the vehicle through a breach along his flank, where he was immediately taken under fire from an entrenched machine gun. Without hesitation, Chontosh ordered the driver to advanced directly at the enemy position enabling his .50 caliber machine gunner to silence the enemy.

He then directed his driver into the enemy trench, where he exited his vehicle and began to clear the trench with an M16A2 service rifle and 9 millimeter pistol. His ammunition depleted, Chontosh, with complete disregard for his safety, twice picked up discarded enemy rifles and continued his ferocious attack.

When a Marine following him found an enemy rocket propelled grenade launcher, Chontosh used it to destroy yet another group of enemy soldiers.

When his audacious attack ended, he had cleared over 200 meters of the enemy trench, killing more than 20 enemy soldiers and wounding several others.

"They are the reflection of the Marine Corps type who's service to the Marine Corps and country is held above their own safety and lives," said Gen. Hagee, commenting on the four Marines who received medals during the ceremony. "I'm proud to be here awarding the second highest and third highest awards for bravery to these great Marines."

"These four Marines are a reflection of every Marine and sailor in this great battalion," said Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada.

"I was just doing my job, I did the same thing every other Marine would have done, it was just a passion and love for my Marines, the experience put a lot into perspective," said Chontosh.

In effect since April 1917, and established by an Act of Congress on Feb. 4, 1919, the Navy Cross may be awarded to any person who, while serving with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguishes himself/herself in action by extraordinary heroism not justifying an award of the Medal of Honor.

The action must take place under one of three circumstances: while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

To earn a Navy Cross the act to be commended must be performed in the presence of great danger or at great personal risk and must be performed in such a manner as to render the individual highly conspicuous among others of equal grade, rate, experience, or position of responsibility.

More than 6,000 Navy Crosses have been awarded since World War I.

[Vulture6]

Klamath Falls, Oregon Marine, receives Silver Star
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification Number: 200456163855
Story by Cpl. Jeremy M. Vought


MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(May 6, 2004) -- Marine Cpl. Robert P. Kerman received the Silver Star from the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, during an awards ceremony Thursday at Marine Air Ground Combat Training Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Kerman, 21, a Klamath Falls, Ore., native, received the military's third-highest award for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a rifleman for Combined Anti-Armor Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on March 25, 2003.

Three other Marines received medals for valor at the same ceremony.
"They are the reflection of the Marine Corps type who's service to the Marine Corps and country is held above their own safety and lives," said Gen. Hagee, commenting on the four Marines who received medals during the ceremony. "I'm proud to be here awarding the second highest and third highest awards for bravery to these great Marines."

"These four Marines are a reflection of every Marine and sailor in this great battalion," said Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada.

Kerman exhibited exceptional bravery when the lead elements of the battalion were ambushed with mortars, rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapons fire.

As the vehicle he was traveling in drove directly into machine gun fire and into a trench line, Kerman sprang from the vehicle and began assaulting down the enemy occupied trench with two other Marines. As the enemy soldiers fired at him, he fearlessly plunged towards them firing his M16 with lethal accuracy. Continuing to move through the trench he repeatedly came under enemy fire.

Each time he would calmly occupy a steady firing position and take well-aimed shots that had devastating effects in the enemy.


As the group ran out of ammunition, they pressed forward 200 to 300 meters utilizing captured enemy AK-47s.

He showed no regard for his own personal safety, and his actions directly contributed to the successful outcome of the engagement.

"I was pretty scared at the time, but we knew what we had to do and we did it," said Kerman. "I did not expect (the award), maybe I just did the right thing."

Established in 1918, the Silver Star is awarded to a person who is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required for award of the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction.

[Vulture6]

Houston Marine receives Navy Cross
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification Number: 200456172127
Story by cpl. Luis Agostini



MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(May 6, 2004) -- Marine Pfc. Joseph B. Perez received the Navy Cross Medal from the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, during an awards ceremony Thursday at Marine Corps Air-Ground Training Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Perez, 23, a Houston, Texas, native, received the naval service's second highest award for extraordinary heroism while serving as a rifleman with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom April 4, 2003. The Medal of Honor is the highest military award.

Three other Marines received medals for valor at the same ceremony.

"They are the reflection of the Marine Corps type who's service to the Marine Corps and country is held above their own safety and lives," said Gen. Hagee, commenting on the four Marines who received medals during the ceremony. "I'm proud to be here awarding the second highest and third highest awards for bravery to these great Marines."

"These four Marines are a reflection of every Marine and sailor in this great battalion," said Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada.

1st Platoon came under intense enemy fire while clearing near Route 6 during the advance into Baghdad. Perez, the point man for the lead squad, and therefore the most exposed member of the platoon, came under the majority of these fires.

Without hesitation, he continuously fired his M16A4 rifle to destroy the enemy while calmly directing accurate fires for his squad. He led the charge down a trench destroying the enemy and while closing and under tremendous enemy fire, threw a grenade into a trench that the enemy was occupying.
While under a heavy volume of fire, Perez fired an AT-4 rocket into a machine gun bunker, completely destroying it and killing four enemy personnel. His actions enabled the squad to maneuver safely to the enemy position and seize it.

In an effort to link up with 3rd Platoon on his platoon's left flank, Perez continued to destroy enemy combatants with precision rifle fire. As he worked his way to the left, he was hit by enemy fire, sustaining gunshot wounds to his torso and shoulder.
Despite being seriously injured, Perez directed the squad to take cover and gave the squad accurate fire direction to the enemy that enabled the squad to reorganize and destroy the enemy.

"It is unreal, it is not what I expected, it is unbelievable," Perez said. "This is real weird for me, because, I am not big on special events," said Perez.

In effect since April 1917, and established by an Act of Congress on Feb. 4, 1919, the Navy Cross may be awarded to any person who, while serving with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguishes himself/herself in action by extraordinary heroism not justifying an award of the Medal of Honor.

The action must take place under one of three circumstances: while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict in which the United States is not a belligerent party. To earn a Navy Cross the act to be commended must be performed in the presence of great danger or at great personal risk and must be performed in such a manner as to render the individual highly conspicuous among others of equal grade, rate, experience, or position of responsibility.

More than 6,000 Navy Crosses have been awarded since World War I.

[Vulture6]

Latino hero recognized at the 2004 NCLR Conference
Submitted by: Marine Corps Recruiting Command
Story Identification #: 20047816498
Story by Sgt. Jimmie Perkins


Lance Corporal Joseph Perez is the recipient of the 2004 Latino Heroes and Heritage Award. The award presentation took place during the Tribute to Latino Heroes Luncheon on the final day of the 2004 National Council of La Raza Conference held in Phoenix. Photo by: Sgt. Jimmie Perkins

PHOENIX(June 29, 2004) -- “Today we recognize a young man who under the most stressful of circumstances, forgot about himself and worked simply for the welfare of his fellow Marines,” said Major General Christopher Cortez, commanding general, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, who praised Lance Corporal Joseph Perez, the recipient of the 2004 Latino Heroes and Heritage Award.

The award presentation took place during the Tribute to Latino Heroes Luncheon on the final day of the 2004 National Council of La Raza Conference held here. More than 2,500 attendees gathered to honor the countless number of Hispanics who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces of the United States. During this event, Perez, a young Marine from Houston, Texas, received special recognition for his courageous actions during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Perez, a Marine from 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division, was a member of the Marine forces pushing their way north towards Baghdad during the liberation of Iraq, on April 4th, 2003. On that fateful day, Lance Corporal Perez was walking on point as his platoon worked to clear Route 6, one of the main north-south roads through southern Iraq. Coming under intense fire as the most exposed Marine leading the advance, Perez continuously fired his M16A4 rifle and helped direct the accurate fire of his fellow Marines. He led a charge into an enemy trench and under tremendous fire, used a grenade to clear a trench that the enemy was occupying. Using an anti-tank rocket, Perez destroyed an enemy machine gun bunker enabling his fellow Marines to maneuver to the enemy position and seize it. Perez continued to fight, sustaining serious gunshot wounds to his torso and shoulder, yet still directed his squad’s fire to destroy the enemy. For his heroic actions, Perez received the naval service’s second highest award for heroism, the Navy Cross, in a ceremony held earlier this year at his home duty station, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Upon hearing of Perez’s heroic deeds that day, the audience at the luncheon rose to their feet in thunderous applause as one of their own, a true hero was honored. As Cortez presented Perez with the Heroes and Heritage Award, a large medal, Perez simply replied that he had only done his duty.

“It is strange how I remember that day. When it all started to happen, everything just sped up, and my training just kicked in, it was all automatic,” said the 23-year old Marine. “I do appreciate all of the recognition, but all this is so unexpected.”

This fall Perez will return to Iraq for the third time in two years, having rejoined his unit for his initial tour after recovering from his wounds.

“I am ready to go,” said Perez. “All of the events I have attended since returning have been great, but I will be happy to get back to my unit and back to training.”

[Vulture6]

Mt. Pleasant Marine receives Silver Star
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification Number: 20045616503
Story by Cpl. Luis Agostini



MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(May 6, 2004) -- Marine Cpl. Armand E. McCormick, 22, received the Silver Star Medal
from the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, during an awards ceremony May 5 at Marine Air Ground Combat Training Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

McCormick, a Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, native, received the military's third-highest award for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as rifleman for Combined Anti-Armor Platoon, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on March 25, 2003.

Three other Marines received medals for valor at the same ceremony.
"They are the reflection of the Marine Corps type who's service to the Marine
Corps and country is held above their own safety and lives," said Gen. Hagee,
commenting on the four Marines who received medals during the ceremony. "I'm proud to be here awarding the second highest and third highest awards for bravery to these great Marines."

"These four Marines are a reflection of every Marine and sailor in this great
battalion," said Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada.

Under heavy fire McCormick, a lance corporal at the time, exhibited exceptional bravery when the lead elements of his battalion were ambushed with mortars, rocket propelled grenades, and squad automatic weapons fire. Fearlessly he drove his lightly armored vehicle directly at an enemy machine gun position and purposely crashed it into an occupied trench line.

With the initial breach of the enemy defense now gained for his unit, he sprang
from the vehicle and began assaulting the berm and ambush line with two Marines. Taking direct fire, and outnumbered, he pressed forward, firing his M9 pistol at enemy forces. Moving through the trench, he repeatedly came under enemy fire, each time calmly taking well-aimed shots. As the group ran low on ammunition, he collected enemy rifles and a rocket- propelled grenade and continued to press the attack forward several hundred meters. As a follow-on company began to make their entrance into the berm, he returned to his vehicle and backed it out of the trench. McCormick's boldly aggressive actions greatly reduced the enemy's ability to inflict casualties on the rest of his battalion.

"It's an honor of course, it is just another day in the Marine Corps," said
McCormick.

"I ready to go it again and help out with the situation," he said about redeploying
to Iraq. Consequently, McCormick will be redeploying to Iraq Friday.

"To me I did what I was suppose to do, I did what was expected," he added.

Established in 1918, the Silver Star is awarded to a person who is cited for
gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required for award of the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction.