Navy Cross holder picked as honorary Class of ’06 member

[Vulture6]

Navy Cross holder picked as honorary Class of ’06 member

By Beth Zimmerman
Times staff writer


Marine Capt. Brian R. Chontosh, shown here receiving the Navy Cross from Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Michael W. Hagee at Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Calif., on May 4, 2004, is now an honorary member of the U.S. Naval Academy’s Class of 2006. — Cpl. Jeremy Vought / U.S. Marine Corps


A Navy Cross recipient was honored during the Naval Academy's graduation May 26. Marine Capt. Brian Chontosh was recognized during the ceremony as an honorary member of the academy's class of 2006. The class chooses honorary members each year, a Naval Academy spokeswoman said May 30.

Chontosh received the Navy Cross in 2004 for heroism on March 25, 2003, while serving as a combined anti-armor platoon commander with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines.

According to a May 6, 2004, Corps news release, Chontosh and his platoon were traveling toward Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq, when they were ambushed. Chontosh exited his vehicle and cleared more than 200 meters of enemy trench and killed more than 20 enemy fighters during the “audacious attack.”

[USMCRET6391]

Congratulations Capt. Brian R. Chontosh !!!