About the gift of valor the true story of us marine corporal jason dunham s brave act that saved fellow marines and earned him the congressional medal of honor. Dunham and the men of kilo company, 3rd battalion, 7th marines. Jason dunhams gift of valor last spring in western iraq, cpl. When it exploded dunham was seriously injured and died eight days. While his unit was engaged in a major firefight in iraq along the syrian border on apr. A moving, prideful look at the life and heroism of u. Dunham was deployed to iraq in early 2004 with the first marine expeditionary force. His parents told a story of when jason wanted to play soccer with a group of iraqi children. The gift is the story of medal of honor recipient, corporal jason l. Tears are shed at the white house for a marines bravery in iraq debra dunham joined president bush as her son, cpl. Jason dunham s gift of valor last spring in western iraq, cpl.
In the hallway of scio central school hangs the portrait of a marine who most of the students attending there today have no memory. Some of the most vivid stories are those of cpl jason dunham. In combat, marine put theory to test, comrades believe wsj. President bush on friday will announce that the medal of honor, the nations highest military decoration, will be awarded posthumously to marine cpl. Jason dunham while his unit was engaged in a major firefight in iraq along the syrian border on apr. Tears are shed at the white house for a marines bravery in iraq. The cpl dunham room, corporals course, marine corps air station beaufort, south carolina. Jan 12, 2007 tears are shed at the white house for a marines bravery in iraq debra dunham joined president bush as her son, cpl. He assigned to 3rd battalion, 7th marine regiment, 1st marine division, i marine expeditionary force, twentynine palms, california. Jason dunham, a 22 year old marine who jumped on a grenade to save his comrades. Jason dunham intentionally used his own helmet body to cover an enemy grenade, saving the lives of at least two of his fellow marines. Marine corps university research marine corps history. Oct 09, 2008 some of the most vivid stories are those of cpl jason dunham. Dunham, the first marine awarded the medal of honor for operation iraqi freedom.
Jason dunham was ready for combat, but he was far more than a number. Dunham was assigned to the 3rd battalion, 7th marines, kilo company based in twentynine palms, calif. Tears are shed at the white house for a marines bravery. As he approached one of the vehicles, the driver lunged at dunham s throat and they fought in a handtohand battle. President bush announced on friday that the medal of honor, the nations highest military decoration, will be awarded posthumously to marine cpl. Corporal jason dunham, usmc, was awarded the medal of honor recently for his actions in iraq on 14 apr 04. While on a patrol in husaybah, his unit was attacked and he deliberately covered an enemy grenade to save nearby marines. The navy will commission the newest arleigh burke class guidedmissile destroyer, jason dunham, during a 10 a. Jason dunham and included several photos of the fallen marine. When the squad approached a white toyota land cruiser and discovered ak47s, an insurgent jumped out and attacked him. March 10, 2010 march 7, 2010 sj reidhead wednesdays hero. Thank you for marines like jason dunham and the four others in this podcast. Dunham which brought many tears streaming down our faces. 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.
Uss jason dunham ddg 109 always faithful, always strong isic. Michael phillips talks about jason dunham and the gift of. Beyond fighting for the flag a new book on medal of honor nominee cpl. Paul sent me an email link to the story with the below message. When cpl dunham was wounded, dr kraft was one of the people who sat and held his hand and talked to him.
Jason dunham, usmc who, by his actions saved the lives of at least two of his comrades. Jason dunham, an arleigh burkeclass guidedmissile destroyer, was christened by his dunham s mother, deb dunham. His unit was based in alkarabilah and there he served as a squad leader. The gift of valor differs from many of the soldier storys ive read in the past. The story of jason dunham on january 11, 2007, president george w. Jason lee dunham usmc deceased medal of honor citation. Our second biography in our new series of posts, which honors our medal of honor recipients, is about marine corporal jason dunham. Dunham dove onto a hand grenade, sacrificing his life to save two fellow marines in iraq, he was a hero, his parents said here saturday. On sunday, balogh met dunham s parents at their sons grave. Jason dunham was awarded the medal of honor posthumously for engaging in handtohand combat with an enemy fighter near iraqs syrian border. Cpl dunham, who died later from his wounds, was awarded the medal of honor for his courage and bravery and sacrifice that day when he threw himself on a grenade to save his men. The department of navy announced march 23 that the navys newest arleigh burkeclass guidedmissile destroyer will be uss jason dunham ddg 109, honoring the late cpl.
Trail of tears is hard to bear news sarasota herald. 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. Excerpt from the gift of valor by michael phillips on. Corporal jason dunham, a marine who was killed in iraq, won the peoples choice vote for beliefnets most inspiring person. Dunham and his men were on a reconnaissance mission near husaybah, iraq after receiving reports that insurgents had ambushed a marine convoy. 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. The mast of the destroyer contains cpl jason dunham s 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. A chapter of the leathernecks motorcycle club international is named in his honor.
As corporal dunham and his marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. More young americans will be combatready if gates and pentagon. Jason dunham was born on november 10th, 1981 the 206th anniversary of the marine corps in scio, new york, a small town about 80 miles southeast of buffalo. Read cpl jason dunhams medal of honor citation this memorial. Buffalo news june 30, 2005 wars sacrifice marine cpl. Beliefnet august 2005 beyond fighting for the flag interview by dena ross a new book on medal of honor nominee cpl. Corporal jason lee dunham usmc deceased medal of honor citation. 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 dunham s brave act that saved fellow marines and earned him the congressional medal of honor.
Students dedicated the 2018 mont pleasant middle school yearbook to cpl. Wayne bell, the top enlisted man in the 1st marine division. Corporal dunham took off his kevlar helmet, dropped to the ground, and covered the explosive as best he could. 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 dunhams gift of valor may 27, 2005 last spring in western iraq, cpl. 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. Jason dunham of scio in allegany county died thursday afternoon at bethesda naval hospital, md. I received a lot of emails today about the story about marine corporal jason dunham from the wall street journal. Dunham died due to injuries received from enemy action in al anbar province, iraq. Courageous marine who sacrificed himself in iraq subject. I read an article on corporal jason dunham s actions in husaybah in july of 2004. Jason dunham play direct link download 21 minutes 06 apr 2008 on april 14, 2004 on a road near husaybah, iraq, cpl. 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. Dec 29, 2009 this video goes out to jason, his family, and all the soldier making sacrifices.
In april 2004, dunham was leading a patrol in an iraqi town near the syrian border when the patrol stopped a convoy of cars. May 26, 2004 3 young marines gave their lives for the tribe. The story of corporal jason dunham the texas observer. I was a corporal myself, then, and was on my way out of the marine corps. Oftentimes, the sacrifices involved are immeasurable servicemen and women put their lives on the line for the greater good.
This will be the first medal of honor the nations highest award for battlefield heroism bestowed on a marine in the iraq war and the first earned for combat action since 1970, during the vietnam war. 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. Garcia, 1st marine division camp al qaim, iraq april 29, 2004 a 22yearold corporal from scio, n. Jason dunham made an instant decision that he had to know would be fatal. Jason dunham memorial to honor marine at freedom motorsports. While the focus of the story is corporal jason dunham, it expands to embrace many people. Corporal dunham was on patrol near the syrian border, on april 14, 2004, when a blackclad iraqi leaped out. Dunham united states marine corps for service as set forth in the following citation. The obituary was featured in legacy on march 3, 2011. For conspicuous gallantry, news article display for the hqmc.
It starts with a simple conversation and weaves into a larger history of lives changed through war. It doesnt focus on intense training and backstory to set the mood. He died long before they set their tiny feet on the wide steps leading into the school. Jason dunham, left, was posthumously awarded the medal of honor for his selfless sacrifice and heroism. 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.
Within the captains quarters hangs the same portrait that hangs in the scio school hallway. Marine corps corporal jason dunham, who was posthumously awarded the medal of honor for service in the iraq war. Discovering seven iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, corporal dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. Jason joined the marine corps in 2000 after graduating from high school. I learned about this young marine from my big brotherwho is also a marine.
Uss jason dunham ddg109 is an arleigh burkeclass destroyer in the united states navy. Bush presented the medal of honor to the family of marine corporal jason dunham. God bless jason s family and so many others who have suffered loss like this. The sweltering south georgia heat and humidity could not keep more than 300 marines, sailors, family and guests from recognizing the sacrifice of medal of honor recipient cpl. Corporal dunham was on patrol near the syrian border, on april 14, 2004, when a blackclad iraqi leaped out of a car and grabbed him around his neck. Jason dunham talks about sacrifice and brotherhood in the u. Several books of essays on christian living are currently. Read cpl jason dunhams medal of honor citation this memorial day weekend. Dunham, age 22, died at bethesda naval hospital from the wounds he received. Jason dunham at naval submarine base kings bay aug.
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. Sailors and marines and military personnel revere the memory of cpl. Dunham s family and friends,and to everyone that ever lost somebody in the midst of it all, we have read the touching articles of the heroic acts displayed by cpl. Dunham, left, was posthumously presented the medal of honor. Jason dunham s short life was filled with simple acts of selflessness but ended with him making the ultimate sacrifice. He is the author of a book, the gift of valor broadway books, 2005, about the life and death of corporal jason dunham, the first marine to receive the congressional medal of honor since the. Jason dunham, who died more than two years ago after covering a grenade with his helmet to save his fellow marines, will receive the medal of honor. Corporal dunham led his combined antiarmor team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their battalion commanders convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to camp husaybah. Jul 04, 2019 for dan and deb dunham of scio, the pain and sorrow that has accompanied the passing of their son, marine cpl. Marine receives posthumous medal of honor president bush awards the medal of honor to marine cpl. Marine corporal jason dunham, who made the ultimate sacrifcie to save others in iraq, dying on april 22, 2004.
A new documentary has been made to chronicle the story about what happened to a marine unit in the streets of husaybah, iraq on april 14, 2004 and what one of those marines, cpl. Corporal dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Jason dunham gave his life to save his fellow marines on the streets of husaybah, iraq when he leaped upon a. Jason was posthumously awarded the medal of honor on jan. Jason lee dunham, the first marine corps medal of honor recipient for operation iraqi freedom, was born 10 november 1981 in scio, new york. He graduated from scio central school in early 2000 and left for marine corps recruit depot parris island in july of that year. The documentary is a powerful remembrance of dunham that unfolds with interviews of the marines who were there with him that day. Jason dunham and how we remember opinion the evening. Apr 22, 2019 within its hulls are jason s dugout, where memorabilia from his high school and military careers are housed along with his uniform.
1448 440 122 281 56 464 1371 559 1140 486 751 880 461 978 744 681 1512 588 1466 659 1088 174 315 654 588 390 327 1397 862 666 250 226 77 588 486 1492 93 356