Jason dunham for a marine, answering the call of duty is to place others before self, and to defend the values of the united states no matter the cost. A commenter on littel green footballs of a cnn report marine to receive medal of honor for iraq heroism. I was a corporal myself, then, and was on my way out of the marine corps. As he approached one of the vehicles, the driver lunged at dunhams throat and they fought in a handtohand battle. The true story of us marine corporal jason dunhams brave act that saved. Jason dunham, who was posthumously awarded the medal of honor for his actions in operation iraqi freedom. Jason dunham, an arleigh burkeclass guidedmissile destroyer, was christened by his dunhams mother, deb dunham. Some of the most vivid stories are those of cpl jason dunham. He assigned to 3rd battalion, 7th marine regiment, 1st marine division, i marine expeditionary force, twentynine palms, california. President bush announced on friday that the medal of honor, the nations highest military decoration, will be awarded posthumously to marine cpl.
Jason dunham threw himself on a grenade to save his menbut his life was extraordinary even before that final moment by anthony violanti jason dunham was a walking marine poster. Jason lee dunham 10 november 1981 22 april 2004 was a corporal in the united states. The story of corporal jason dunham the texas observer. Dunham, who would have turned 25 today, merit the medal of honor, bush said at the national museum of the marine corps dedication ceremony, which coincided with the 231st marine corps anniversary.
His unit was based in alkarabilah and there he served as a squad leader. Nov 10, 2006 president bush announced on friday that the medal of honor, the nations highest military decoration, will be awarded posthumously to marine cpl. Sep 15, 2011 a moving, prideful look at the life and heroism of u. When cpl dunham was wounded, dr kraft was one of the people who sat and. Jason dunham gave his life by shielding nearby marines. Marine to be awarded the medal of honor rip marine cpl dunham jason dunham memorial. A war story and millions of other books are available for instant. Buffalo news june 30, 2005 wars sacrifice marine cpl. Dunham died due to injuries received from enemy action in al anbar province, iraq. Jason lee dunham, the first marine corps medal of honor recipient for.
Dunham, the first marine awarded the medal of honor for operation iraqi freedom. Jason dunham, a 22 year old marine who jumped on a grenade to save his comrades. Beyond fighting for the flag a new book on medal of honor nominee cpl. Jason dunham, a 22 year old marine who jumped on a. Jason dunham news newspapers books scholar jstor march 2018 learn how and when to remove this template. As they approached the vehicles, an insurgent leaped out and attacked corporal dunham. The immense courage jason dunham possessed allowed him to carry out his benevolent actions.
On sunday, balogh met dunhams parents at their sons grave. President bush on friday will announce that the medal of honor, the nations highest military decoration, will be awarded posthumously to marine cpl. Dunham was assigned to the 3rd battalion, 7th marines, kilo company based in twentynine palms, calif. The mast of the destroyer contains cpl jason dunhams purple heart, a set of his dog tags, a pieced of the kevlar helmet he used to absorb the blast, and the last letter he sent home to his parents dan and deb dunham. Students dedicated the 2018 mont pleasant middle school yearbook to cpl. 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. When the squad approached a white toyota land cruiser and discovered ak47s, an insurgent jumped out and attacked him.
Jason dunham in observance of memorial day, jesseca wheaton is hosting a three day blog event to honor those who died in military servic e, especially men and women from our respective citesstates. Richard caruso, former cpl usmc, talks about the weekend in scio, ny where he supervised the placing of a sign identifying the city of scio as the home of cpl jason dunham, usmc, medal of honor recipient for his actions against the enemy in the al anbar province of iraq. Jason dunham military bracelets memorial bracelets. The first marine to be awarded the medal of honor since vietnam has been honored with a destroyer being named after him. Uss jason dunham ddg 109 always faithful, always strong isic. He became the first medal of honor recipient since the vietnam war for his heroic action. Nutter general dynamicsreleased a few of posts i did on this hero over the years. Oftentimes, the sacrifices involved are immeasurable servicemen and women put their lives on the line for the greater good. Jason sanders, 21, a mortarman, according to a marine corps news article. Authors who are serious about book marketing, promotion, and publicity have a press release that announces their book. Apr 22, 2004 the navy will commission the newest arleigh burke class guidedmissile destroyer, jason dunham, during a 10 a. Corporal dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Jason dunham gave his life by shielding nearby marines from a grenade with his body. The southern tier native stood 6feet, 1inch tall, with handsome chiseled features and a muscular.
A book of essays and revisions of articles about wyatt earp has been completed and will include her latest work detailing her theory about the murder. Dunhams story was told in a book, a gift of valor, penned by a wall street journal reporter embedded with 37 battalion in the spring 2004. Jun 12, 2018 students dedicated the 2018 mont pleasant middle school yearbook to cpl. Thank you for their service, their patriotism, their honor and professionalism, their commitment to duty, and for their life example i can share with my two boys. Dunhams story was told in a book, a gift of valor, penned by a wall street. Dunham united states marine corps for service as set forth in the following citation. Jason dunhams gift of valor last spring in western iraq, cpl.
Dunhams family during a private ceremony at the white house. In april 2004, dunham was leading a patrol in an iraqi town near the syrian border when the patrol stopped a convoy of cars. Jason dunham talks about sacrifice and brotherhood in the u. Jason dunham s gift of valor last spring in western iraq, cpl. The author is also working on a book about fashion in the.
In combat, marine put theory to test, comrades believe wsj. For conspicuous gallantry, news article display for the hqmc. Dunham hall is a marine corps dining facility named after cpl jason dunham on marine corps air ground combat center in twentynine palms. The true story of us marine corporal jason dunhams brave act that saved fellow. Phillips concentrates his abundant energy and investigative skill on cpl. He wanted to save marines lives from that grenade, said lance cpl. Jason lee dunham 10 november 1981 22 april 2004 was a corporal in the united states marine corps who was posthumously awarded the medal of honor for actions while serving with 3rd battalion 7th marines during the iraq war. We meet the marines, the navy corpsmen, the navy doctors, nurses, technicians and the marine working dogs. Dec 29, 2009 this video goes out to jason, his family, and all the soldier making sacrifices. Dunham 22 years old from scio, new york rifle squad leader, 4th platoon. He set out to learn more about dunham, devouring the book, the gift of valor, and pouring through whatever he could find online.
Jason dunham, left, was posthumously awarded the medal of honor for his selfless sacrifice and heroism. Dunham was posthumously awarded the medal of honor for gallantly giving his life to save fellow marines during operation iraqi freedom oif. Instead, phillips book is given the dulcet tones of a morningtelevision host. Published may 9th 2006 by broadway books first published 2005. His parents told a story of when jason wanted to play soccer with a group of iraqi children. Navy destroyer named after marine medal of honor winner. Dunham and his men were on a reconnaissance mission near husaybah, iraq after receiving reports that insurgents had ambushed a marine convoy. Jason dunham with uncommon sensitivity and meticulousness, he chronicles dunhams short life, emphasizing his marine years and his tragic death in combat although phillips doesnt tackle the whole war, he offers a detailed view of one mans corner of it. Marine corporal jason dunham, who made the ultimate sacrifcie to save others in iraq, dying on april 22, 2004. Dunham displays both those criteria, while he was recognized for giving his life, jason dunham truly deserves the title of a hero for his courage in battle, and his selflessness throughout his life at home and in iraq. A chapter of the leathernecks motorcycle club international is named in his honor. March 10, 2010 march 7, 2010 sj reidhead wednesdays hero. This video goes out to jason, his family, and all the soldier making sacrifices.
The true story of us marine corporal jason dunhams brave act that saved fellow marines and earned him the congressional medal of honor. Marine corps university research marine corps history. While on a patrol in husaybah, his unit was attacked and he deliberately covered an enemy grenade to save nearby marines. Thank you for marines like jason dunham and the four others in this podcast. Jason joined the marine corps in 2000 after graduating from high school. Jason dunham and included several photos of the fallen marine. Discovering seven iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, corporal dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. On april 14, 2004, 3 days after easter sunday, corporal dunham was manning a checkpoint in karabilah, iraq, when an insurgent leapt from his car and began choking corporal dunham.
I read an article on corporal jason dunhams actions in husaybah in july of 2004. God bless jasons family and so many others who have suffered loss like this. I learned about this young marine from my big brotherwho is also a marine. A scuffle ensued as two marines approached to help. Jason dunham, who was killed in an ied explosion in iraq back in april of 2004, in this post of misc.
In a new book, wall street journal reporter michael phillips chronicles the incident, and the effort to save dunhams life. Jason dunham of scio in allegany county died thursday afternoon at bethesda naval hospital, md. Navys newest destroyer uss jason dunham christened. One of these is jason dunham, a twentytwoyearold marine corporal from the. Jason dunham was awarded the medal of honor posthumously for engaging in handtohand combat with an enemy fighter near iraqs syrian border. Jason dunham was born november 10, 1981 in scio, new york and lived his entire life in scio, graduating from scio high school in 2000. Jason lee dunham 10 november 1981 22 april 2004 was a corporal in the united states marine corps who was awarded the medal of honor while serving with 3rd battalion 7th marines during the iraq war.
Streamers fly during the christening ceremony of the uss jason dunham, an arleighburke class destroyer, saturday, aug. Jason dunham saved the lives of two members of his marine unit in iraq, thanks to his helmet and a theory on how to survive a grenade attack. Deb dunham christens the arleigh burkeclass guidedmissile destroyer jason dunham ddg 109 at general dynamics bath iron works in bath, maine. Jason dunham made an instant decision that he had to know would be fatal. Dunham at a memorial service held at their camp in qaim, iraq. Michael phillips talks about jason dunham and the gift of valor. When it exploded dunham was seriously injured and died eight days. Jason dunhams story is great read and reminds us to never take our family members for granted nor forget the sacrifice service members voluntarily make. Jason dunham military bracelets memorial bracelets memorial. This is a wonderfully readable book, and difficult to put down, as dr kraft weaves us into her stories. The cpl dunham room, corporals course, marine corps air station beaufort, south carolina. As he approached one of the vehicles, the driver lunged at dunham s throat and they fought in a handtohand battle. Dunhams story was told in a book, a gift of valor, penned by a wall street journal. Jason dunham the marine who sacrificed his life to.
On sunday, balogh met dunham s parents at their sons grave. In observance of memorial day, jesseca wheaton is hosting a three day blog event to honor those who died in military servic e, especially men and women from our respective citesstates. The obituary was featured in legacy on march 3, 2011. Dunham was deployed to iraq in early 2004 with the first marine expeditionary force. A moving, prideful look at the life and heroism of u. Navy destroyer named after marine medal of honor winner jason. While his unit was engaged in a major firefight in iraq along the syrian border on apr.