Docent Talks_MedalofHonor_Iraq_Afghanistan_Final_Presentation_05_2015

New Volunteer Orientation

American Heroes: Our Medal of Honor Recipients, Iraq and Afghanistan

Spring 2015 Docent Talks

Thank you for coming today. Welcome to our presentation titled, American Heroes: Our Medal of Honor Recipients, Iraq and Afghanistan. How many of you are veterans? Please know how grateful we are for your service to our country. [Ask veterans to stand and audience to applaud...If you are comfortable in doing it, please stand; so we can give you a well-deserved round of applause.]

Some may ask, Why is it important to remember and to honor Medal of Honor recipients? Perhaps, the answer is best expressed by an unknown author who said:

"Poor is the Nation that has no heroes, but shameful is the Nation that has them and forgets.

You see, remembering our heroes is a reflection of who we are as a nation.

John F. Kennedy said, A nation reveals itself not only in the men it produces, but in the men it honors...the men it remembers.

Today, well focus on the five men awarded the Medal of Honor by President George W. Bush for their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Well look at the men in chronological order or in the order the events happened which resulted in their receipt of the Medal. Well talk about what each man was like, about his family, about the actions which resulted in his receipt of the Medal of Honor, what others, including President Bush, said about them and other types of recognition they received. In short, well learn more about the sacrifices that were made in the past for our freedoms today.

1

Sergeant First Class Smith received the first Medal of Honor in the War on Terror. He was also the first to be awarded the Medal of Honor flag, authorized by the United States Congress.

Paul Ray Smith was born on September 24, 1969, in El Paso, Texas. At the age of nine, his family moved to South Tampa, Florida, where he attended public schools. He enjoyed sports, liked cats, skateboarding, riding bicycles, and playing pranks with friends and his younger sister Lisa. He particularly enjoyed football.

He developed an interest in carpentry while in high school and was employed part-time as a carpenter assistant. Paul Ray had an interest in old cars--he enjoyed taking things apart to see how they worked. He restored a dune buggy with a friend. He liked to collect things from the sea, rocks in general. His family remembered that as far back as they could recall, when anyone would ask what he wanted to do as an adult, he always said, "I want to be a Soldier, get married, and have kids.

Upon graduating in 1988 from Tampa Bay Vocational Technical High School, he joined the Army and attended Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Sgt. 1st Class Smith served as a combat engineer and was deployed to Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, and finally to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During Sgt. Smiths Medal of Honor ceremony, President Bush noted that two things changed Paul Ray Smiths life and lead him to his act of selfless heroism. The first came when he was stationed in Germany and fell for a woman named Birgit Bacher. On the first night he met her, Paul appeared outside Birgit's window singing "You've Lost That Loving Feeling." In 1992, the two married. Paul soon became a devoted family man who played T-ball with his son and taught his daughter how to change the oil in his Jeep Cherokee.

The second great change came when he shipped off to Saudi Arabia to fight in the first Gulf War. There the young combat engineer learned that his training had a purpose and could save lives on the battlefield. Paul returned from that war determined that other soldiers would benefit from the lessons he had learned.

Paul earned his sergeant's stripes and became known as a stickler for detail. Sergeant Smith's seriousness wasn't always appreciated by the greener troops under his direction. Those greener troops often times found themselves doing tasks over and over again, until they got it right. Specialist Michael Seaman, said, "He was hard in training because he knew we had to be hard in battle." Specialist Seaman and others are alive today because of Sergeant Smith's discipline.

Sgt. 1st Class Smith will always be remembered for his love of country and for his commitment to his troops. Smith was known for his selflessness and devotion. In an unfinished letter on his laptop to his parents found after his death, he wrote: There are two ways to come home, stepping off the plane and being carried off the plane. It doesn't matter how I come home because I am prepared to give all that I am to ensure that all my boys make it home.

In a speech about her brother, Paul Ray Smiths sister told these stories about his devotion to his troops:

Paul Ray had an incredible love for the troops under his command. One Christmas, the wife of a Soldier in Paul Rays platoon had just had surgery and the Soldier and his wife were unable to provide a Christmas for their family. So, Paul Ray collected food from the company Christmas party, and he and Birgit bought presents for the children, and they took them to the Soldiers home. Paul Rays family never heard of this until recounted to them by friends after his death. Another..very descriptive event that showed Paul Rays concern for his men involves another Soldier whose baby daughter was unexpectedly admitted to the hospital with a serious illness. Paul Ray would drive an hour out of town every night to give his support to this Soldier and his wife. In the last letter that Paul Ray wrote to the parents from Iraq, he told them ..now that he was a father himself, he realized just how much they had sacrificed to make his life a good life and he thanked them for that special effort. He spoke of being prepared to giveas he saidall that I am, to ensure that all my boys make it home. In that same letter, he told our parents how proud he was of the privilege to be given 25 of the finest Americans we call Soldiers to lead into war and he recognized their fears and his responsibilities for their welfare.

Information Sources: http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/04/20050404-5.htmlhttp://ourmilitaryheroes.defense.gov/profiles/smithP.htmlhttp://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/smith/profile/index.htmlPentagon Channel Recon video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN6zg82ggNU

Image Source: http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/04/images/20050404-5_p44677-005-250h.jpg2

Smith and his company entered Iraq in March of 2003 as part of the large U.S. troop movement marching to liberate Baghdad. On April 4, 2003, Sergeant Smith was leading about three dozen men who were using a courtyard next to a watchtower to build a temporary jail for captured enemy prisoners. As they were cleaning the courtyard, they were surprised by about a hundred of Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard.

The situation was bad. Outnumbered, and out in the open, Smith knew they were in a tough position. He quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class 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.

Seeing that his wounded men were in danger of being overrun, and that enemy fire from the watchtower had pinned them down, Sgt. Smith ran through a field of fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. The position offered no cover, but Smith knew he could take out more enemies atop the vehicle. He told one soldier nearby, feed me ammunition whenever you hear the gun get quiet.

Sergeant Smith's leadership saved the men in the courtyard, and he prevented an enemy attack on the aid station just up the road. Sergeant Smith continued to fire until he took a fatal round to the head. His actions in that courtyard saved the lives of more than 100 American soldiers, resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, and allowed the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers.

Smith helped stall the relentless enemy force, limiting the effectiveness of their surprise attack. Because of his actions, his men were able to hold the enemy at bay.

Five days later, Baghdad fell, and the Iraqi people were liberated.

Information Sources: http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/04/20050404-5.htmlhttp://ourmilitaryheroes.defense.gov/profiles/smithP.htmlhttp://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/smith/citation/Image Source: http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/04/images/20050404-5_p44677-005-250h.jpg

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The events of April 4, 2003 are as follows:

1) Sgt. Smith is tasked with the mission of creating an Enemy Prisoner of War (EPW) Holding Area.

2) Sgt. Smith identifies an enclosed courtyard with an adjacent tower to provide overwatch of the EPW area, north of the highway. 1st Platoon, along with SFC Smiths 2nd Platoon, are allocated to complete the task under SFC Smiths supervision.

3) Sgt. Smith tasks Sgt. Joshua Dean to knock a hole in the wall with his Armored Combat Earthmover (ACE) to allow access into the courtyard.

4) Able now to access the courtyard, Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, Staff Sgt. Lincoln Hollinsaid and Sgt. Derek Pelletier (all part of the 2nd Platoon) enter the compound confirming it is clear.

5) Sgt. Smith tasks Staff Sgt. Hollinsaid to oversee construction of the EPW Holding Area and the removal of debris. SFC Smith posts Pfc. Thomas Ketchum and Pvt. James Martens to guard the metal gate to the north.

6) During construction of the EPW area, Sgt. Joshua Henry checks on Pfc. Ketchum at the gate, spotting something in the distance. Borrowing Pfc. Ketchums riflescope, Sgt. Henry spots 10 - 15 enemy soldiers with small arms, 60 mm mortars and RPGs moving toward the wall.

7) Sgt. Henry immediately notifies SFC Smith of the approaching enemy. Smith then identifies 25 - 50 more enemy soldiers and tasks Staff Sgt. Hollinsaid to call for a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Smith has members of the 2nd Platoon retrieve weapons and form a skirmish line outside the wall opening.

8) As the Bradley prepares to knock down the northern gate and engage the enemy, now confirmed at 100 soldiers, three M113 Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) orient their .50 caliber machine guns toward the wall opening and at the tower, now occupied by enemy soldiers.

9) SFC Smith leads the Bradley Fighting Vehicle outside the gate with the help of Pvt. Gary Evans, Sgt. Matthew Keller, Pvt. Martens, and Spc. Garcia.

10) SFC Smith calls for an APC to support the effort at the gate. Having already thrown a grenade over the wall to clear the enemy, SFC Smith fires an AT-4 Anti-Tank Weapon at the enemy while directing the fires of the small fire team.

11) An APC manned by Sgt. Louis Berwald, SSG Kevin Yetter, and PV2 Jimmy Hill moves through the wall to support the action at the gate. Once inside the courtyard, Sgt. Berwald fires his APCs .50 caliber into the enemy-controlled tower.

12) An RPG fired from the tower cripples an APC outside of the courtyard. Fortunately the RPG hits a rucksack attached to the outside of the APC, detonating away from the APC saving the soldiers inside. 1SG Timothy Campbell evacuates SSG Hoover, SPC Medrano, PFC Esquivel, and Pvt. Peagram from the APC.

13) The forward APC moved up from the courtyard to support the effort. A mortar then hits the APC injuring all three occupants: Sgt. Louis Berwald, Staff Sgt. Kevin Yetter, and Pvt. Jimmy Hill. The Bradley receives continued RPG hits, and running low on ammo it withdraws. Without the Bradley, and the APC .50 caliber unmanned, SFC Smith realizes that theyve lost firepower dominance.

14) Once Staff Sgt. Yetter, Sgt. Berwald and Pvt. Hill are evacuated by Staff Sgt. Rodney Roush, SFC Smith moves into the commanders hatch to engage the enemy with the still-operational .50 caliber machine gun aboard the APC. SFC Smith grabs Pvt. Michael Seaman to assist in preparing ammo.

15) SFC Smith orders Pvt. Seaman to back the APC into the courtyard. SFC Smith then fires on Iraqi troops in the tower, climbing the wall, and coming through the gate.

16) SFC Smith fires more than 300 rounds (Pvt. Seaman reloaded the .50 caliber machine gun 3 times). SFC Smith is mortally wounded, hit in the head.

SFC Smiths actions resulted in an estimated 20 - 50 enemy soldiers killed and stopped the deliberate enemy attack. SFC Smiths constant fire allowed U. S. forces to approach and control the tower. From this point, the enemy is incapable of mounting an attack from the northern flank. His selfless actions saved the lives of more than 100 soldiers, defeated the enemy attack, and inspired his platoon.Information Source:

Image Source: http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/smith/profile/index.html

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President Bush Presents David Smith with His Father's Medal of Honor Award

Young David Smith holds his father's Medal of Honor -- presented by President Bush -- during ceremonies Monday, April 4, 2005, at the White House. [White House photo by Paul Morse]

Caption and Photo Source:

http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/04/images/20050404-5_p44677-145-630v.html

Video Source:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6-6EdUwJpU

[Publishing information for the video states that the video and its information are courtesy of U.S. Army.]5

Joining David on stage are his step-sister Jessica and his mother, Birgit Smith. [White House photo by Eric Draper]

The Medal of Honor flag is behind the family and President Bush.

Caption and Photo Source:

http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/04/images/20050404-5_p44676-311-515h.html

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Cpl. Jason L. Dunham Memorial

Cpl. Jason L. Dunham was the second serviceman and the 1st Marine to receive the Medal of Honor in the Global War on Terror. He was also the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War.

Jason Dunham was born on November 10, 1981 in the small town of Scio [pronounced sigh-oh], in upstate New York. Coincidentally, November 10th is also the birthday of the United States Marine Corps.

Jason loved sports. When he went to Scio Central School, he starred on the Tiger basketball, soccer, and baseball teams. At Cpl. Dunhams Medal of Honor Ceremony, President Bush told the audience that Jason still held the record for the highest batting average in a single season at .414. President Bush also mentioned that Cpl. Dunham was the kind of Marine who would stop patrols to play street soccer with Iraqi schoolchildren. Jason was so popular with his teammates that his mom never knew how many people would be showing up for dinner, whether it would just be her family, or the entire basketball team.

Jasons mother, Deb Dunham, called the Marine Corps her sons second family. She explained her sons relationship to his men this way: Jay was part guardian angel, part big brother, and all Marine." One time her son called home from the barracks and passed the phone to one of his Marines, saying, Ive got a guy here who just needs to talk to a mom.

President Bush described Cpl. Dunham as a Marine's Marine who led by example. Cpl. Dunham, a rifle squad leader in the 4th Platoon, Company K, the 3rd Battalion, the 7th Marine Regiment, signed on for an extra two months in Iraq so he could stay with his squad. As he explained it, he wanted to "make sure that everyone makes it home alive.

A glimpse of Jasons life can be found in this slide show of photos dedicated to his memory.

Information Sources:

http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/01/20070111-1.htmlhttp://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=57192

Website Source for Cpl. Jason L. Dunham Memorial: http://www.jasonsmemorial.org/slideshow.html

Image Sources: http://www.history.army.mil/moh/iraq.htmlhttp://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/amity-bridge-highway-be-renamed-after-scio-hero-jason-dunham-1

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Medal of HonorJASON L. DUNHAMRank and Organization: Corporal, United States Marine Corps

On April 14, 2005, 3 days after Easter Sunday, Cpl. Dunham was in the town of Karabilah [pronounced Care-ah-bee-lah], Iraq, leading a 14-man foot patrol on a reconnaissance mission when radio reports came in that a roadside bomb had exploded nearby where another group of Marines were scouting. As soon as the explosive went off, insurgents swarmed the area, surrounding the Marines.

Hearing gunfire, Dunham and his squad rushed over to help suppress the attack. As they neared the area, they heard the whizzing sound above of an RPG narrowly missing their convoy. Dunham instructed his Marines to leave the vehicles behind and split up. He led a team a few blocks south of the immediate ambush site and ordered his squad to block seven vehicles attempting to leave. Dunham began inspecting the vehicles, one by one.

Suddenly, the driver of a run-down Toyota Land Cruiser burst out of the car door, and grabbed Dunham by the neck, choking him. Dunham fought the enemy hand-to-hand; two Marines saw their squad leader struggling, and moved in to help. Dunham noticed that the enemy fighter had a grenade in his hand and screamed a warning to his Marines: No, no, no - watch his hand! He ordered his Marines to move back as he wrestled the insurgent to the ground.

Without hesitating Dunham took off his Kevlar helmet, covered the grenade with it, and threw himself on top to smother the blast.

Pfc. Kelly Miller, one of the two Marines saved by Dunhams quick and selfless act, later told author Michael Phillips*: Cpl. Dunham was in the middle of the explosion. If it was not for him, none of us would be here. He took the impact of the explosion.

The hard, molded mesh that was Dunhams Kevlar helmet was scattered all around the site of the explosion an image that serves as a reminder of his bravery on that day.

The explosion dazed and wounded Lance Cpl. William Hampton and Pfc. Kelly Miller. Dunham lay face down with a shard the size of a dress-shirt button lodged in his head. The hard, molded mesh that was his Kevlar helmet was now scattered yards around into clods and shredded fabric. The insurgent stood up after the blast and was immediately killed by Marine small-arms fire. Cpl. Dunham never regained consciousness and died eight days later at the Bethesda Naval Hospital with his mother and father at his bedside. He was 22.

On Jan. 11, 2007, Cpl. Dunham was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration of the United States.


http://ourmilitaryheroes.defense.gov/profiles/dunhamJ.htmlhttp://www.jason-dunham.navy.mil/http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/News/NewsArticleDisplay/tabid/3488/Article/551534/first-long-war-marine-to-receive-medal-of-honor.aspx

Medal Image Source: http://www.jason-dunham.navy.mil/

* Michael M. Phillips is a staff reporter for theWall Street Journal who has done four tours in Iraq with the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines. He is the author of the book, The Gift of Valor, which tells Cpl. Dunhams story.

Sources: http://www.marineshop.net/browse.cfm/the-gift-of-valor-(pb)/4,8247.html?gclid=CMiw7Y2w6cICFQeKaQodkSkA-Q

http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/Portals/142/Docs/101113%20--%20Commissioning%20of%20USS%20Jason%20Dunham%20%28Transcript%29.pdf [This document contains remarks made by Gen. James F. Amos, Commandant of the U. S. Marine Corps, at the commissioning of the USS Jason Dunham. In this document, a reference is made to the book, The Gift of Valor, by Michael M. Phillips.]

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United States Marine Corps Sergeant Mark Dean, one of Medal of Honor recipient Corporal Jason Dunham's close friends, and Major Trent A. Gibson, Dunham's former company commander, carefully sort out the pieces of the Kevlar helmet Dunham used to help absorb the blast of a grenade in the streets of Iraq in 2004. The pair delivered the helmet to the National Museum of the Marine Corps on July 9th to be displayed in the coming years.

On April 14, 2005, Cpl. Dunham was serving as a squad leader under then-Capt. Gibson, who commanded Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. When then-Capt. Gibson arrived on the scene, he noticed a shard of Cpl. Dunham's helmet nearby. He ordered his men to collect the rest. For five years, the helmet's remains were kept in storage. Then Major Gibson began collaborating with Deb and Dan Dunham, Jason Dunham's parents. They decided to donate it to the museum while saving a single piece for a very special purpose which Ill explain in a moment.

Image Source:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dunham_helmet.jpg


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dunham_helmet.jpghttp://www.americanvalor.net/heroes/805http://archive.militarytimes.com/article/20090803/NEWS/908030318/Fallen-MoH-recipient-s-helmet-lives-on9

On November 13, 2010, the U.S. Navy commissioned its warship, the USS Jason Dunham, in a ceremony at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Corporal Dunhams dog tags and a single piece of the Kevlar helmet were sealed beneath the mast of the ship, symbolizing his protection over the crew while at sea.

Designated DDG 109, Jason Dunham, the 59th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is: equipped to conduct a variety of operations; capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously; and contains numerous offensive and defensive weapons.

The 9,200-ton Jason Dunham, built by Bath Iron Works, is 509 feet in length, has a waterline beam of 59 feet, and a navigational draft of 31 feet. Four gas turbine engines power the ship to speeds in excess of 30 knots [approximately 35 mph].

Marine Corporal Jason Dunham has also been honored with the naming of a bridge and part of State Route 19 near his hometown. This roadway leads directly into Scio. The signage is not only visible to drivers on State Route 19, but the bridge signs are also located on Interstate 86, so travelers through the region can see them.

Along with the Medal of Honor, Corporal Dunham earned the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with the Service Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.


http://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/amity-bridge-highway-be-renamed-after-scio-hero-jason-dunham-1http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=57131

Image and Information Source: http://www.jason-dunham.navy.mil/

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More than 5,000 guests and supporters including family members of the crew and the Dunham family attended the commissioning ceremony.

Information Source:

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=57192

Image Source:

http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/101113-N-7948C-059.jpg11

President George W. Bush bows his head before a Medal of Honor ceremony for Corporal Jason Dunham of the Marine Corps in the East Room Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007. "Since World War II, more than half of those who have been awarded the Medal of Honor have lost their lives in the action that earned it. Corporal Jason Dunham belongs to this select group. On a dusty road in western Iraq, Corporal Dunham gave his own life so that the men under his command might live. This morning it's my privilege to recognize Corporal Dunham's devotion to the Corps and country -- and to present his family with the Medal of Honor," said the President. [White House photo by Paul Morse]

Image and Caption Source: http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/01/images/20070111-1_p011107pm-0150jpg-772v.html12

President George W. Bush presents the Medal of Honor to the family of Corporal Jason Dunham of the Marine Corps during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007. [White House photo by Paul Morse]

In addition to his mother, Deb, and his father, Dan, Cpl. Dunham is survived by two brothers and a sister: Justin, Kyle, and Katelyn.

Image and Caption Source: http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/01/images/20070111-1_p011107pm-0228jpg-515h.html

Information about family members: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/12/nyregion/12medal.html?_r=2&

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Lt. Michael P. Murphy

Lt. Michael P. Murphy is the first Navy Medal of Honor recipient for actions in the Global War on Terror, and the first to be awarded for actions in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Born on May 7, 1976 in Smithtown, NY, he is fondly referred to by friends and family as Mikey or Murph. Growing up in the New York City commuter town of Patchogue [pronounced PATCH-og], NY on Long Island, Murph was active in sports. In high school, he took a summer lifeguard job at the Brookhaven town beach in Lake Ronkonkoma -- a job he returned to each summer through his college years. He graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School in 1994.

During the Medal of Honor presentation at the White House, President Bush suggested that Michael Murphy was born to be a Navy SEAL. When Michael was just 18 months old, he darted across a neighbor's yard, and dove into the swimming pool. By the time his frantic parents reached him, Michael had swum to the other side with a big smile on his face. As he grew older, Michael learned to swim from one side of a nearby lake to the other.

Michael Murphy was also blessed with a powerful sense of right and wrong. One day in school, he got into a scuffle sticking up for a student with a disability. It's the only time his parents ever got a phone call from the principal -- and they couldn't have been prouder.


http://www.navy.mil/moh/mpmurphy/bio.htmlhttp://ourmilitaryheroes.defense.gov/profiles/murphyM.htmlhttp://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/10/20071022-11.html

Image Source: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2009/0309_moh/presentation.html

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Michael Murphy was an avid reader; his reading tastes ranged from the Greek historian Herodotus [pronounced huh-rod-uh-tuh s] to Tolstoy's "War and Peace." Murphy's favorite book was Steven Pressfields Gates of Fire, about the Spartan stand at Thermopylae [pronounced ther-mop-uh-lee or ther-mop-uh-lie].

Murphy attended Penn State University, where he was an exceptional all-around athlete and student, excelling at ice hockey and graduating with honors. In 1998, he graduated with a pair of Bachelor of Arts degrees from Penn State -- in political science and psychology.

Following graduation, he was accepted to several law schools, but instead he changed course.Slightly built at 5 feet 10 inches, Murphy decided to attend SEAL mentoring sessions at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point with his sights on becoming a U.S. Navy SEAL. Murphy accepted an appointment to the Navy's Officer Candidate School at Pensacola, FL, in September, 2000. Its possible that he was influenced by his fathers military service in Vietnam where his dads actions resulted in the receipt of the Purple Heart.

Image Source:

http://www.navy.mil/moh/mpmurphy/pg.html


http://www.navy.mil/moh/mpmurphy/bio.htmlhttp://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/10/20071022-11.html

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Caption: Lt. Michael P. Murphy, 29, from Patchogue, NY is pictured on the far left side of the back row.

Michael was commissioned as an ensign in the Navy on Dec. 13, 2000, and began Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, CA, in January 2001, graduating with Class 236. BUD/S is a six-month training course and the first step to becoming a Navy SEAL.

Upon graduation from BUD/S, he attended the Army Jump School, SEAL Qualification Training and SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) school. Lt. Murphy earned his SEAL Trident and checked on board SDV Team (SDVT) 1 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in July of 2002. In October of 2002, he deployed with Foxtrot Platoon to Jordan as the liaison officer for Exercise Early Victor.

Following his tour with SDVT-1, Lt. Murphy was assigned to Special Operations Central Command in Florida and deployed to Qatar in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After returning from Qatar, Lt. Murphy was deployed to the Horn of Africa, Djibouti, to assist in the operational planning of future SDV missions.

Image and Caption Source:


Information Source:

http://www.navy.mil/moh/mpmurphy/bio.html

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Caption: Navy SEALs (Sea, Air, Land) operating in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. From left to right: Sonar Technician -- Surface 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew G. Axelson, 29, of Cupertino, CA; Information Systems Technician Senior Chief (SEAL) Daniel R. Healy, 36, of Exeter, NH; Quartermaster 2nd Class (SEAL) James Suh,28, of Deerfield Beach, FL; Hospital Corpsman Second Class (SEAL) Marcus Luttrell; Machinist Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Eric S. Patton, 22, of Boulder City, NV; LT (SEAL) Michael P. Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, NY. With the exception of the lone survivor, Luttrell, all were killed June 28, 2005 by enemy forces while supporting Operation Redwing.

In early 2005, Murphy was assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1 as assistant officer in charge of ALFA Platoon and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Murphs teammates remember a patriot who wore a New York City firehouse patch on his uniform in honor of the heroes of 9/11. And they remember an officer who respected their opinions, and led them with an understated, yet unmistakable, sense of command.


http://www.navy.mil/moh/mpmurphy/bio.htmlhttp://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/10/20071022-11.html



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Caption: Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy, 29, from Patchogue, NY and Sonar Technician -- Surface 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew G. Axelson, 29, of Cupertino, CA, taken in Afghanistan.

On June 28, 2005, Lt. Michael Murphy led a four-man SEAL team - which included Petty Officers Danny Dietz, Matthew Axelson, and Marcus Luttrell - in support of Operation Red Wing in the mountain range of the Hindu Kush between Afghanistan and Pakistan. They were tracking down Ahmad Shah, a known terrorist.

Shortly after inserting into the area, the SEALs were spotted by three goat herders who were initially detained and then released. It is believed the goat herders immediately reported the SEALs presence to Taliban fighters.

A fierce gun battle ensued between the severely outnumbered SEALs and the larger Taliban force. Murphy knew his team needed reinforcements. Intent on making contact with headquarters, but realizing that this would be impossible in the rugged terrain, Murphy moved away from the rocks that were protecting him and into the open where he could make better radio contact with Bagram Air Base, despite the intense gunfight and his gunshot wounds. With this action, Murphy knowingly exposed himself to increased enemy fire.

While continuing to be fired upon, Murphy made contact with Bagram Air Base and requested assistance. He calmly provided his units location and the size of the enemy force while requesting immediate support for his team. At one point, he was shot in the back causing him to drop the transmitter. Murphy picked it back up, completed the call and continued firing at the enemy who was closing in. Severely wounded, Lt. Murphy returned to his cover position with his men and continued the battle. As a result of Murphys call, an MH-47 Chinook helicopter, with eight additional SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers aboard, was sent in as part of the QRF to extract the four embattled SEALs. As the Chinook drew nearer to the fight, a rocket-propelled grenade hit the helicopter, causing it to crash and killing all 16 men aboard.On the ground and nearly out of ammunition, the four SEALs continued to fight. By the end of a two-hour gunfight Murphy, Danny Dietz and Matthew Axelson had fallen. An estimated 35 Taliban were also dead. Marcus Luttrell was blasted over a ridge by a rocket-propelled grenade and knocked unconscious.

Though severely wounded, Luttrell was able to evade the enemy for nearly a day and traveled seven miles to a nearby Afghan village where he was taken in and sheltered from the Taliban. One villager reported Luttrells location to a Marine outpost, and U.S. forces rescued Luttrell on July 2, 2005.

Luttrell, Dietz, and Axelson, were awarded the Navy Crosses for their heroic actions. Ultimately, Lt. Murphys action of relaying his units position led to the rescue of Luttrell and the recovery of the remains of the three SEALs killed in the battle.


http://ourmilitaryheroes.defense.gov/profiles/murphyM.htmlhttp://www.navy.mil/moh/mpmurphy/bio.htmlhttp://www.navy.mil/moh/mpmurphy/pg.html



18

Lt. Murphy is buried at Calverton National Cemetery less than 20 miles from his childhood home.

Lt. Murphy is survived by his mother Maureen Murphy; his father Dan Murphy; and his brother John Murphy. Dan and Maureen Murphy, who were divorced in 1999, remain close friends, and continue to live in NY. Their son John attended the New York Institute of Technology, and upon graduation pursued a career in criminal justice, having been accepted to the New York City Police Department.

Lt. Murphys other personal awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, and National Defense Service Medal.

Image Source:


Information Source:

http://www.navy.mil/moh/mpmurphy/bio.html

19

On May 7, 2008, Lt. Murphys 32nd birthday, Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter announced that the newest guided-missile destroyer would be named in honor of Lt. Michael Murphy

Information Source:

http://ourmilitaryheroes.defense.gov/profiles/murphyM.html

Image Source: http://sofrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/uss-mm-sofrep.jpg20

Does the Navy consider the book "Lone Survivor" to be an accurate accounting of Operation Redwing?

Yes. Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SEAL) Marcus Luttrell is the only surviving member of Operation Redwing. The book Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 is his detailed account of the events during and peripheral to that operation. Luttrell has served this country with honor and Naval Special Warfare is proud to call him a U.S. Navy SEAL. For his heroic service during Operation Redwing, he was awarded the Nations' second highest military award, the Navy Cross, by the President of the United States. Luttrell voluntarily submitted his book Lone Survivor for a security review prior to its release. While many details of Operation Redwing remain classified, Luttrell's first person accounting of the mission has been cleared for public release.

Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell of Texas, author of "Lone Survivor," summarizes his feelings about Michael Murphy this way: "Mikey was the best officer I ever knew, an iron-souled warrior of colossal and almost unbelievable courage in the face of the enemy."


http://www.navy.mil/moh/mpmurphy/pr.htmlhttp://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/10/20071022-11.html

Image Source: http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/marcus-luttrell/lone-survivor/9780316067591/21

PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS MICHAEL A. MONSOOR

For his valor, Michael Monsoor became the fourth Medal of Honor recipient in the War on Terror.

Petty Officer Second Class Michael Anthony Monsoor was born April 5, 1981 in Long Beach, CA. He grew up in Garden Grove, CA, as the third of four children of George and Sally Monsoor. His father was a Marine, and his mother was a social worker. He attended Catholic Mass devotionally before operations, and often spoke lovingly of his family - his older brother, a police officer and former Marine for whom he held great respect; his sister, a nurse; and his younger brother, a college football player.

Even as a young child, Mike demonstrated a strong set of convictions. For instance, he had no complaints after the first week of kindergarten, but objected when someone told him that he had to go back for a second week. On many school mornings, he refused to wear matching outfits, preferring to mix plaids with stripes.

Michael suffered from terrible asthma as a child. On some nights, his coughing fits landed him in the hospital. He strengthened his lungs through swimming, often racing his siblings in the swimming pool. He worked hard to wean himself off his inhaler. He built himself into a superb athlete. He played tight end on the Garden Grove High School football team. Mike also enjoyed snowboarding, body boarding, spear fishing, motorcycle riding, and driving his Corvette.

Friends often called him Mikey.

Information Source:

http://www.navy.mil/moh/monsoor/BIO.htmlhttp://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/04/20080408-3.html

Image Source:

http://www.navy.mil/moh/monsoor/pg.html

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Caption: Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor (far left, third row from bottom).

Michael enlisted in the U.S. Navy on March 21, 2001, and attended Basic Training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL. Upon graduation from basic training, he attended Quartermaster A School, and then transferred to Naval Air Station, Sigonella, Italy for a short period of time.

Petty Officer Monsoor entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, CA, and subsequently graduated with Class 250 on Sept. 2, 2004 as one of the top performers in his class. After BUD/S, he completed advanced SEAL training courses including parachute training at Basic Airborne School, Fort Benning, GA., cold weather combat training in Kodiak, Alaska, and six months of SEAL Qualification Training in Coronado, graduating in March 2005.

After an especially intense training session, one of Michaels commanding officers remembers an instructor asking "What's the deal with the Monsoor guy? He just says, 'Roger that,' to everything."

In April 2005, his rating changed from Quartermaster to Master-at-Arms, and he was assigned to SEAL Team 3 Delta Platoon. He deployed with his platoon to Iraq in April, 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and was assigned to Task Unit Bravo in Ar Ramadi.


http://www.navy.mil/moh/monsoor/PG.html



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Caption: Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor poses for a photo while attending cold weather training in Kodiak, Alaska in 2004.

Image and Caption Source: http://www.navy.mil/moh/monsoor/PG.html24

Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor in warmer weather.

Image Source:


25

Caption: Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor.

Michael Monsoor served his country in multiple capacities. He was a Navy SEAL sniper, a heavy weapons machine gunner, and a SEAL communicator. As a heavy weapons machine gunner, he walked behind the platoon point man with his Mk 48 machine gun so that he could protect his platoon from a frontal enemy attack during combat patrols. During 15 operations and in his role as a SEAL communicator, he carried a rucksack full of communications equipment which weighed more than 100 pounds in the midst of 130 degree Iraqi heat.

Mike and his platoon operated in a highly contested part of Ramadi city called the Malaab district. During their deployment, Mike and his fellow SEALS came under enemy attack on 75 percent of their missions.They bravely patrolled the city streets and fought in 35 heated firefights. They ambushed insurgent mortar teams near the banks of the Euphrates River. Mike and his fellow SEALs accounted for 84 enemy fighters killed in action and the detainment of numerous insurgents. Most notably, Mike was part of the combined force which helped pacify the most violent city in Al Anbar province.

On May 9, 2006 Petty Officer Monsoor rescued a SEAL who was shot in the leg. He ran out into the street with another SEAL. With bullets flying all around them, Mike returned fire with one hand while helping pull the injured man to safety with the other. In a dream about the incident months later, the wounded SEAL envisioned Mike coming to the rescue with wings on his shoulders. For this brave action, he earned a Silver Star.

He was subsequently awarded the Bronze Star for his leadership, guidance, and decisive actions during 11 different combat operations which saved the lives of his teammates, other Coalition Forces and Iraqi Army soldiers.

Image and Caption Source: http://www.navy.mil/moh/monsoor/PG.html



During Operation Kentucky Jumper, a combined Coalition battalion clearance and isolation operation in southern Ar Ramadi, he served as automatic weapons gunner in a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army (IA) sniper overwatch element positioned on a residential rooftop in a violent sector and historical stronghold for insurgents. In the morning, his team observed four enemy fighters armed with AK-47s reconnoitering from roads in the sector to conduct follow-on attacks. SEAL snipers from his roof engaged two of them which resulted in one enemy wounded in action and one enemy killed in action. A mutually supporting SEAL/IA position also killed an enemy fighter during the morning hours. After the engagements, the local populace blocked off the roads in the area with rocks to keep civilians away and to warn insurgents of the presence of his Coalition sniper element. Additionally, a nearby mosque called insurgents to arms to fight Coalition Forces.

In the early afternoon, enemy fighters attacked his position with automatic weapons fire from a moving vehicle. The SEALs fired back and stood their ground. Shortly thereafter, an enemy fighter shot a rocket-propelled grenade at his building. Though well-acquainted with enemy tactics in Ar Ramadi, and keenly aware that the enemy would continue to attack, the SEALs remained on the battlefield in order to carry out the mission of guarding the western flank of the main effort.

Due to expected enemy action, the officer in charge repositioned him with his automatic heavy machine gun in the direction of the enemys most likely avenue of approach. He placed him in a small, confined sniper hide-sight between two SEAL snipers on an outcropping of the roof, which allowed the three SEALs maximum coverage of the area. He was located closest to the egress route out of the sniper hide-sight watching for enemy activity through a tactical periscope over the parapet wall. While vigilantly watching for enemy activity, an enemy fighter hurled a hand grenade onto the roof from an unseen location. The grenade hit him in the chest and bounced onto the deck. He immediately leapt to his feet and yelled grenade to alert his teammates of impending danger, but they could not evacuate the sniper hide-sight in time to escape harm. Without hesitation and showing no regard for his own life, he threw himself onto the grenade, smothering it to protect his teammates who were lying in close proximity. The grenade detonated as he came down on top of it, mortally wounding him.Petty Officer Monsoors actions could not have been more selfless or clearly intentional. Of the three SEALs on that rooftop corner, he had the only avenue of escape away from the blast, and if he had so chosen, he could have easily escaped. Instead, Monsoor chose to protect his comrades by the sacrifice of his own life. By his courageous and selfless actions, he saved the lives of his two fellow SEALs and he is the most deserving of the special recognition afforded by awarding the Medal of Honor.

Information Source: http://www.navy.mil/moh/monsoor/SOA.html [SOA = Summary of Action]

He will receive the award for his actions in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on Sept. 29, 2006. On that day, Monsoor was part of a sniper overwatch security position with three other SEALs and eight Iraqi Army (IA) soldiers. An insurgent closed in and threw a fragmentation grenade into the overwatch position. The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest before falling to the ground. Positioned next to the single exit, Monsoor was the only one who could have escaped harm. Instead, he dropped onto the grenade to shield the others from the blast. Monsoor died approximately 30 minutes later from wounds sustained from the blast. Because of Petty Officer Monsoors actions, he saved the lives of his 3 teammates and the IA soldiers. Monsoor also received the Silver Star for his actions during the same deployment in May 2006, when he exposed himself to heavy enemy fire to rescue and treat an injured teammate.

Information Source: http://www.navy.mil/moh/monsoor/PG.html

Image Source: http://www.navy.mil/moh/monsoor/PG.html

A hand grenade has a fuse of about 5 6 seconds after being thrown. Michael Monsoor had about a half of a second to respond when the grenade bounced off his chest. [Source: Statement made by Lt. Commander Seth Stone in an interview with Mike Huckabee found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqgCssLobl0]

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Caption: Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor poses for a photo on a rooftop in Ar Ramadi Iraq, while deployed in 2006.

How did Michael Monsoor receive the Medal of Honor?

It began on the morning of September 29, 2006, ironically also St. Michaels Day. That morning, Michael was part of a sniper overwatch security position with three other SEALs and eight Iraqi Army (IA) soldiers who were located on the outcropping of a residential rooftop in a violent sector and known stronghold for insurgents. That morning, his team observed four insurgents armed with AK-47s reconnoitering from roads in the sector. SEAL snipers from his roof engaged two of them which resulted in one enemy wounded in action and one enemy killed in action. Another SEAL/IA position also killed an enemy fighter during the morning hours. After these two engagements, the local populace blocked off the roads in the area with rocks to keep civilians away and to warn insurgents of the SEAL/IA presence. Additionally, a nearby mosque called insurgents to arms to fight Coalition Forces.

In the early afternoon, enemy fighters attacked Mikes position with automatic weapons fire from a moving vehicle. The SEALs fired back. Shortly thereafter, an enemy fighter shot a rocket-propelled grenade at his building.

When an insurgent threw a fragmentation grenade into the overwatch position, Mike was located in a small, confined sniper hide-sight between two SEAL snipers, closest to the single exit, and the only one who could have escaped harm. The grenade bounced off Mike's chest and landed on the roof. A hand grenade has a fuse of about 5 6 seconds after being thrown. Michael Monsoor had less than a second to respond. He immediately jumped to his feet and yelled grenade. Then he threw himself on the grenade, smothering it to protect his teammates. The grenade detonated as he was coming down on top of it.

Mike died approximately 30 minutes later from wounds sustained from the blast. Because of Petty Officer Monsoors actions, he saved the lives of his 3 teammates and the IA soldiers.

The week of September 29th was Mikes last week in Iraq. His sister had received a message from Mike on Tuesday, September 26th, stating that he would be coming home the following week. The family received the news about his death on Friday, September 29th.

His teammates recall his sense of loyalty to God, family, and his team.Mike was one of the bravest men on the battlefield, never allowing the enemy to discourage him. He remained fearless while facing constant danger, and through his selfless nature and aggressive actions, saved the lives of coalition soldiers and his fellow SEALs. He was a loyal friend and exceptional SEAL, and he is sorely missed by his brothers in Task Unit Bravo.

Information Sources: http://www.navy.mil/moh/monsoor/PG.htmlhttp://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/04/20080408-3.htmlhttp://www.navy.mil/moh/monsoor/BIO.html[The statement about the grenade fuse was made by Lt. Commander Seth Stone in an interview with Mike Huckabee. The information about his last week in Iraq was made by his sister in an interview with Mike Huckabee. The interview can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqgCssLobl0]


http://www.navy.mil/moh/monsoor/pg.html27

Perhaps the greatest tribute to Mike's life is the way different service members around the world responded to his death. Army soldiers in Ramadi hosted a memorial service for the valiant man who had fought beside them. Iraqi Army scouts -- whom Mike helped train -- lowered their flag, and sent it to his parents. Nearly every SEAL on the West Coast turned out for Mike's funeral in California. As the SEALs filed past the casket, they removed their golden tridents from their uniforms and pressed them onto the walls of the coffin. The procession went on nearly half an hour. And when it was all over, the simple wooden coffin had become a gold-plated memorial to a hero who will never be forgotten.

MA2 [Master-at-Arms Second Class] Monsoor is interred at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, CA.

Image Sources:

http://thebrigade.com/2014/10/26/25-interesting-facts-about-navy-seals-26-photos/ http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/monsoor.asp


http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/04/20080408-3.htmlhttp://www.navy.mil/moh/monsoor/FAQ.html28

Navy Seal Trident

Image Source:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/monsoor.asp29

Medal of Honor Presentation at the White House to the Parents ofMichael Monsoor

April 8, 2008

President George W. Bush leads the applause in honor of Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor after presenting the Medal of Honor posthumously to his parents, George and Sally Monsoor, during ceremonies Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at the White House. (Top Photo)

President George W. Bush smiles as he shares a moment with George and Sally Monsoor after presenting them the Medal of Honor in honor of their son, Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor. (Bottom Photo)

Image (Top Photo) and Information Source:

http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/04/images/20080408-3_d-0336-1-515h.html

Image (Bottom Photo) and Information Source:

http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/04/images/20080408-3_v040908db-0078-515h.html30

Caption: Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor patrolling the streets of Iraq while deployed in 2006.

At the Medal of Honor Flag Ceremony for Michael Monsoor on April 9th, 2008, Lt. Commander John Willing, Commander Task Force Ramadi, spoke about this picture. He explained that the green-yellow mist of smoke was used to mask U.S. troop movement from the enemy. He believed that this picture said a lot about Michael Monsoor. It shows Michael: gun ready; face calm; almost smiling, despite the obvious chaos and danger around him; brother SEALs are nearby, but Mikey is out in the front. At the time of the picture, Ramadi was the epicenter of the insurgency in Iraq. It was a place where the enemy was: hardened; bent on destruction; ruthless; constantly on the attack fighting with machine guns, mortars, IEDs, and grenades. Brave men died or were wounded every day. Lt. Commander Willing commented that he had looked at this picture over and over again. When he looked at the picture, he heard Michael saying, I am Michael Monsoor...I am ready...I love my country. I love my fellow SEALs and the men fighting along side us...I have no regrets...I have given everything for you.

Information Source:

http://www.navy.mil/moh/monsoor/flag.html [Content about the meaning of the photo comes from comments made in a Medal of Honor Flag Ceremony video found at this link.]



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Private First Class Ross Andrew McGinnis of the U.S. Army died, at age 19, in a combat zone in Iraq on December 4th, 2006. He became the second Soldier serving in Iraq to receive the Medal of Honor.

Ross McGinnis grew up in Knox, Pennsylvania. When he was in kindergarten, the teacher asked him to draw a picture of what he wanted to be when he grew up. He drew a soldier. As a boy, he became a Boy Scout. He loved playing basketball and working on cars, but he wasn't too excited about schoolwork. He also played soccer and Little League baseball. His interests included video games and mountain biking. As a car enthusiast, he took classes in automotive technology. He worked part-time at McDonalds after school. Ross was a member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Knox, and a 2005 graduate of Keystone Junior-Senior High School. On his 17th birthday, June 14, 2004, Ross went to the Army recruiting station and joined through the delayed entry program.

He had a lot of friends and a great sense of humor. In high school and in the Army, Ross became known for his ability to do impersonations. A buddy from boot camp said that Ross was the only man there who could make the drill sergeant laugh. Those who knew Ross McGinnis remember him as a dependable friend and a really good guy. If Ross was your buddy and you needed help or you got in trouble, he'd stick with you and be the one you could count on. One of his friends told a reporter that Ross was the type "who would do anything for anybody."

Image Source:

http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/mcginnis/


http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/06/20080602-1.htmlhttp://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/mcginnis/profile/

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Heres a glimpse of his sense of humor. The picture of Spc. McGinnis was taken in Iraq, in November 2006.

According to fellow Soldiers, he loved soldiering and took his job seriously, but he also loved to make people laugh. One fellow soldier commented that every time McGinnis left a room, he left the soldiers in it laughing.

Image and Information Sources:

http://www.army.mil/article/9359/Remembering_Spc__Ross_A__McGinnis/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/06/images/20080602-1_p060208jb-0141jpg-515h.html

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Spc. McGinnis with his dad during Family Day at Fort Benning, Ga., 2005. After initial entry training at Fort Benning, Georgia, McGinnis was assigned to 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment in Schweinfurt, Germany.

His parents are Tom and Romayne McGinnis.

In a joint released statement, his parents said,

Ross did not become our hero by dying to save his fellow Soldiers from a grenade. He was a hero to us long before he died, because he was willing to risk his life to protect the ideals of freedom and justice that America represents. He has been recommended for the Medal of Honor That is not why he gave his life. The lives of four men who were his Army brothers outweighed the value of his one life. It was just a matter of simple kindergarten arithmetic. Four means more than one. It didnt matter to Ross that he could have escaped the situation without a scratch. Nobody would have questioned such a reflex reaction. What mattered to him were the four men placed in his care on a moments notice. One moment he was responsible for defending the rear of a convoy from enemy fire; the next moment he held the lives of four of his friends in his hands. The choice for Ross was simple, but simple does not mean easy. His straightforward answer to a simple but difficult choice should stand as a shining example for the rest of us. We all face simple choices, but how often do we choose to make a sacrifice to get the right answer? The right choice sometimes requires honor.


http://www.army.mil/article/9359/Remembering_Spc__Ross_A__McGinnis/http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/mcginnis/profile/index.htmlhttp://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/06/images/20080602-1_p060208jb-0141jpg-515h.html

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Spc. McGinnis, 18, with sister Katie, 20.

Ross has two sisters - Becky Gorman and Katie McGinnis.


http://www.army.mil/article/9359/Remembering_Spc__Ross_A__McGinnis/http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/mcginnis/profile/index.html35

On the afternoon of Dec. 4, 2006, Private McGinnis was part of a humvee patrol in a Bagdad neighborhood to restrict enemy movement, control sectarian violence, and deliver a 250-kilowatt generator to provide increased electricity to Iraqi citizens. The youngest member of his platoon at 19, McGinnis manned the 50-caliber machine gun on the last humvee in the six-vehicle patrol. He sat on the gunners strap facing the rear to provide security for the patrol. An insurgent on a nearby rooftop lobbed a fragmentation grenade into the vehicle.

Reacting quickly, Private McGinnis yelled "grenade," allowing all four members of his crew to prepare for the grenade's blast. Confined in that tiny space, the soldiers had no chance of escaping the explosion. Private McGinnis could have easily jumped from the humvee and saved himself. Instead he dropped inside, threw his back over the live grenade, pinned it between his body and the humvees radio mount where the grenade had landed and absorbed most of the explosion.

By that split-second decision, Private McGinnis lost his life. In the words of one commanding general, "Four men are alive because this soldier embodied our Army values and gave his life."

For his actions, Private McGinnis received a posthumous promotion in rank to specialist, the Medal of Honor, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

But the medals did not motivate him. His dad has said, "I know medals never crossed his mind. He was always about friendships and relationships. He just took that to the ultimate this time."

Information Source:

http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/mcginnis/profile/

Image Source:

http://www.iraqwarheroes.org/photos05/ross_mcginniss16.jpg

[This website was listed under Resources from http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/mcginnis/resources/index.html]36

June 2, 2008

President George W. Bush leads the applause in honor of Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis, U.S. Army, after presenting the Medal of Honor posthumously to his parents, Tom and Romayne McGinnis, of Knox, Pennsylvania, during ceremonies Monday, June 2, 2008, in the East Room at the White House. [Top Image]

President Bush shares a moment with Tom and Romayne McGinnis, after presenting them the Medal of Honor in honor of their son, Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis. [Bottom Image]

Image and Information Source for Image on Top:

http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/06/images/20080602-1_p060208cg-0086jpg-515h.html

Image and Information Source for Image on Bottom:

http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/06/images/20080602-1_p060208jb-0141jpg-515h.html

Image Source for Ross McGinnis:

http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/mcginnis/profile/

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Pentagon Report

Video Source:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FljIyUktA5Q

Image Source: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2010/1110_moh/images/mcginnis_bkg.jpg

38

From left, retired Staff Sgt. Ian Newland (squad leader), Sgt. Lyle Buehler (driver), Sgt. 1st Class Cedric Thomas (platoon sergeant and truck commander) and Spc. Sean Lawson (medic) are all alive today because of Spc. Ross McGinnis's selfless sacrifice.

Platoon Sergeant Cedric Thomas, said this: "He had time to jump out of the truck. He chose not to. He's a hero. He was just an awesome guy."


http://www.army.mil/media/27427


http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/06/20080602-1.htmlhttp://www.army.mil/article/9591/

39

Tom McGinnis, father of posthumous Medal of Honor recipient Spc. Ross McGinnis, displayed his son's medal with pride following a White House ceremony, but said the deep wounds he and his family feel are slow to heal.

Image and Information Source: http://www.army.mil/article/9591/

40

Following the White House ceremony, Tom and Romayne McGinnis in a joint released statement said:

Ross did not become our hero by dying to save his fellow Soldiers from a grenade. He was a hero to us long before he died, because he was willing to risk his life to protect the ideals of freedom and justice that America represents. He has been recommended for the Medal of Honor That is not why he gave his life. The lives of four men who were his Army brothers outweighed the value of his one life. It was just a matter of simple kindergarten arithmetic. Four means more than one. It didnt matter to Ross that he could have escaped the situation without a scratch. Nobody would have questioned such a reflex reaction. What mattered to him were the four men placed in his care on a moments notice. One moment he was responsible for defending the rear of a convoy from enemy fire; the next moment he held the lives of four of his friends in his hands. The choice for Ross was simple, but simple does not mean easy. His straightforward answer to a simple but difficult choice should stand as a shining example for the rest of us. We all face simple choices, but how often do we choose to make a sacrifice to get the right answer? The right choice sometimes requires honor.

Ross did what he did for his buddies, and actually hes done that all his life, Romayne said. It didnt surprise us when we found out all the details of what had happened. That was Ross.

When asked how their son should be remembered, the parents spoke about how he was a normal kid, who when called upon, did what he thought was best for his buddies.

The only thing youve really got to remember about my son is that he did the right thing at the right time, Tom said. Because his life was very short, it wasnt an exciting story until it got right to the end. He just made the right decision when it was required.


http://www.army.mil/article/9591/http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/mcginnis/profile/index.html

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Thank You!

Thank you for attending this presentation! 42

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