We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/jason_dunham_co.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:44:58 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification This isn't news, really. We knew it was coming. But now it has happened. By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2007 - President Bush today presented the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest decoration, to the family of Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham, who died shielding his fellow Marines from a grenade blast in Iraq in April 2004. "With this medal, we pay tribute to the courage and leadership of a man who represents the best of young Americans," Bush said before presenting the medal to Dunham's family at the White House. Dunham, who grew... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/jason_dunham_co.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/jason_dunham_co.html Thu, 11 Jan 2007 11:15:08 -0600 John, Thanks. I thought that was probably so from your other post on this, but wasn't sure. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/jason_dunham_co.html#comment-55000 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/jason_dunham_co.html#comment-55000 Sat, 13 Jan 2007 11:31:14 -0600 The new decoration supersedes the old, or interim (if awarded as an interim) award. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/jason_dunham_co.html#comment-54988 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/jason_dunham_co.html#comment-54988 Fri, 12 Jan 2007 15:28:46 -0600 I've been waiting for someone else to ask this, so I wouldn't look like a complete moron. Too late for that, I guess! LOL And because I just don't have the time right now to look it up myself and thought one of you higher-up "professional officers" would know ...... ..... in a case like Dunham's, when a lower level decoration has already been awarded for the same act (DSC, SS, etc.) does he keep that award in addition to the MOH, or is the previous decoration "upgraded"? Thanks! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/jason_dunham_co.html#comment-54987 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/jason_dunham_co.html#comment-54987 Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:55:02 -0600 The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to CORPORAL JASON L. DUNHAM UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS For service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of this life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004. Corporal Dunham’s squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander’s convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah. As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy. Discovering sever Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham as his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, and insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat. Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/jason_dunham_co.html#comment-54964 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/jason_dunham_co.html#comment-54964 Thu, 11 Jan 2007 21:31:40 -0600 Matt, Excellent. As Barb said, "Semper Gratus, Cpl Dunham." http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/jason_dunham_co.html#comment-54946 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/jason_dunham_co.html#comment-54946 Thu, 11 Jan 2007 14:22:06 -0600 http://www.matthewmaynard.net/?p=575 To give up one’s life for the sake of another is an act many might find bizarre. But when death came around, Jason chose to smother - he covered a bomb with his kevlar. Evil was the insurgent who dropped the grenade, to kill off the Marines of Kilo. But one of them was anything except afraid - the one Marine hero from Scio. In his Marine heart true love did thrive, he revealed it at his life’s end. Ensuring the men went home alive, he gave up his life for his friends. So we give this true Marine brother, the Star-Spangled Necklace for Valor.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/jason_dunham_co.html#comment-54941 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/jason_dunham_co.html#comment-54941 Thu, 11 Jan 2007 12:09:35 -0600 In the words of Patton : “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” Semper Gratus, Cpl Dunham. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/jason_dunham_co.html#comment-54940 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/01/jason_dunham_co.html#comment-54940 Thu, 11 Jan 2007 12:07:48 -0600