Mo's Manic Monday - Star
Posted: Monday, May 26, 2008 by Travis Cody in
Welcome on this Memorial Day to another Manic Monday with Morgen. Don't forget to cruise by MM HQ at It's A Blog Eat Blog World. Today's theme is Star.
Today's post is in honor of those who have given their lives in the name of duty. Their actions saved the lives of fellow warriors. Their sacrifices earned them this nation's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor.
The Medal is awarded to any member of the United States Armed Forces who displays "...conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States..."
I have briefly quoted the circumstances of each action here. You may click on each man's name to read the full citation.
US Army SFC Paul R. Smith (24 Sept 1969 - 4 Apr 2003), B Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Baghdad, Iraq. "SFC Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round...In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded...while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers." SFC Smith was 33 years old.
USMC Cpl Jason L. Dunham (10 Nov 1981 - 22 Apr 2004), 4th Platoon, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment (3/7), I Marine Expeditionary Force, 1st Marine Division, Iraq. "Discovering seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, an 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." Cpl Dunham was 22 years old.
US Navy Petty Officer Second Class Michael A. Monsoor (4 Apr 1981 - 29 Sept 2006), SEAL Team 3, Delta Platoon, Iraq. "While the SEALs vigilantly watched for enemy activity, an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location, which bounced off Petty Officer Monsoor’s chest and landed in front of him. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. Instantly and without regard for his own safety, he threw himself onto the grenade to absorb the force of the explosion with his body, saving the lives of his two teammates." PO2nd Monsoor was 25 years old. 
US Army Pfc Ross A. McGinnis (14 June 1987 - 4 Dec 2006), C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Iraq. "The White House announced that the nation's highest military honor will be presented June 2 to survivors of U.S. Army Pfc. Ross McGinnis. He will be the fourth service member to receive the highest U.S. award for valor for action in Iraq...He was in the gunner's hatch of a Humvee on Dec. 4, 2006, when a grenade sailed past him into the truck where four other soldiers sat. He shouted a warning to the others, then jumped on the grenade, which was lodged near the vehicle's radio. The grenade blew up and killed him." Pfc McGinnis was 19 years old.
Duty. Honor. Country.
It is my fervent wish that no more young men and women are required to die. But I am also humbled by those who's selfless dedication to the cause of freedom leads them to acts of incredible bravery.
To these men who made the ultimate sacrifice, and to all who came before them, I offer my most sincere thanks.
Beautifully done, Trav! :)
Happy Manic Memorial Monday.