[Sarge]

Thank you Fidel

Originally Posted by Fidelista

LT. Michael P. Murphy USN.
LT. Michael Murphy was killed in combat back in 2005 --Afghanistan.
He was a navy seal, part of a 4 man team , sent to kill a high ranking enemy Taliban Commander.
The teams cover was blown , they encountered Taliban fighters , over 50 of them , and a gunfight began . A 2 hour battle .
The only hope was a call for help --air support --and evacuaution by air .
Unfortunately , from their position, cover , the radio did not work .
Murphy went into the clear to make the call on the radio , he was wounded .
Again Murphy called for support , and again was shot in the back , the impact causing him to drop to radio. He then picked it up again and sent transmission.
Then the fight to end began .
Murphy and his team fought to death . Murphy and 2 other seals were killed in the fight .
The helio that came to save them --was shot down with a RPG , and all 16 servicemen aboard were killed .
When it was over , 19 US. servicemen lost their lives that action .
Murphy and his 3 teammates , killed 35 Taliban in the fight .
One seal was saved .
Murphy received the Medal of Honor for his courage , and actions that day.
This story is repeated , maybe not with medal of honors , but with the same courage and honor everyday .
This is not the point of this thread as I take it , a simple accounting, but I believe all Americans are proud , aware of how precious our young soldiers are , and sacrifices made .
Now if someone wants to create a thread of this type ---there is no shortage of stories and faces .>f
I just read the story online again --to see if I remembered right --here >>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_P._Murphy

I highly encourage all who know of a Hero, who has fought for freedom in the Global War on Terrorism, no matter the sacrifice given, to post their story in this thread.

[Sarge]

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 his 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 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. 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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Dunham

[Sarge]

The President of the United States, in the name of the Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor, posthumously, to


Master At Arms Second Class
Sea, Air and Land
Michael A. Monsoor
United States Navy

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Automatic Weapons Gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 29 September 2006.

As a member of a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army sniper overwatch element, tasked with providing early warning and stand-off protection from a rooftop in an insurgent-held sector of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer Monsoor distinguished himself by his exceptional bravery in the face of grave danger. In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element's position. Element snipers thwarted the enemy's initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. 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. By his undaunted courage, fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of certain death, Petty Officer Monsoor gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_A._Monsoor

[ekim68]

Good thread Sarge...

[bassetman]

Originally Posted by Sarge

Thank you Fidel

Sorry this is the best I could find!

[Sarge]

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Sergeant First Class
Paul R. Smith
US Army

Distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith 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 60 mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. 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. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith's extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division 'Rock of the Marne,' and the United States Army.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_R._Smith

[Sarge]

Originally Posted by bassetman

Sorry this is the best I could find!

This one may be more appropriate.

[bassetman]

Originally Posted by Sarge

This one may be more appropriate.

Thanks!

[Mulderator]

Good thread Sarge.

[Stoner]

Sarge....

[Fidelista]

Originally Posted by Sarge

Thank you Fidel
[/b]

Sarge , glad that I could influence !.
I have ALWAYS felt that many get politic and military service confused .
There is no way to ignore our young peoples courage and valor --regardless of opposition to a war.
It may be a stupid war that needs ending --or one that absolutely has to be fought ---makes no difference as far as our warriors are concerned .
That is a political area and responsabilty of all of us .
We have too keep watch on the wisdom of military adventures , we have to see that that our soldiers are given the tools , and ...we have to see that they are cared for--now --and when fight is over .
I know my nephew joined the army { like son to me } right after 9-11 --with the idea to kill our enemies , that he did--two tours --Ranger scout in Afganistan , and with my blessing.
He could have been sent to Iraq --which is war he and I both opposed --but would have fought anyway as he was a soldier--pure and simple .
I guess what I am saying , is that the political wisdom of a war has to be separated in view , from the service our fighters provide and sacrifice all for . Make sense ?.
At any rate , its good to put a face to the fallen , so that all I have said is taken seriously by all . Its no game when a loved one has all on the line .
I hope this thread honours our soldiers --their service -- bravery --honour -- sacrifice , and is not used for political purpose --or to promote --glorify war .
These young people deserve better--living --and lost. >f

[ckphilli]

Thanks for starting the thread Sarge

For me, this certainly honors our fellow servicemen in a distinguished manner.

[poochee]

Great thread Sarge!

[ChrisJones]

Originally Posted by Mulderator

Good thread Sarge.

Times two from me. Great idea.

Would you object to me putting a small piece on some of the fallen British soldiers, navymen and airmen in here from time to time?

[TooBad]

Originally Posted by ChrisJones

Times two from me. Great idea.

Would you object to me putting a small piece on some of the fallen British soldiers, navymen and airmen in here from time to time?

Sarge, great thread!

Fedilista, my nephew joined the army also and is in Baghdad now. I agree with your sentiments 100%.

Chris, personally, you can add any hero from any of our allies as we are all in the same fight!