thedrifter
05-20-06, 07:09 AM
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.(May 18, 2006) -- When Staff Sgt. John B. Francis deployed to Iraq in 2005, he never thought he’d be “on fire”— literally.
Even so, Francis proved he could take the heat.
While still suffering from third-degree burns and shrapnel wounds, he pulled an unconscious Marine from his burning vehicle after his vehicle was ambushed in the streets of Karabilah, Iraq during Operation Matador.
For his grace under fire with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Francis was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing device by the battalion’s executive officer, Maj. Scott D. Leonard, here May 12.
“We were going to do a relief and place for 1st Mobile Assault Platoon, Weapons Company, link up with tanks and push just south of Sadah through a ladder-patterned road when we approached ‘the road,’” said Francis, who was then infantry platoon sergeant with 2nd MAP, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines.
That’s when Francis’ vehicle was ambushed with three rocket-propelled grenades, machinegun and small-arms fire.
Fortunately, the RPGs didn’t detonate nor did the machine gun or small arms fire puncture the glass on the vehicle.
No one was injured, but Francis knew the attacks were far from over.
At that point, Francis had two options: assault through another road or push through on his current direction of travel.
Francis chose the latter for his Marines’ safety.
He then told his gunner to reload the mounted M-2 .50 caliber machinegun, spotted the direction to watch for and moved forward on the road.
“We were all looking left,” Francis said.
Unfortunately, danger was on the right.
In an instant, his vehicle was struck then by a single-man driven, forward-loaded, suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device from the right.
“It was like Backdraft (the movie),” Francis said.
At that moment, flames boiled around inside of the vehicle, for a few seconds, singing the Marines inside.
“After the fire stopped we checked each other,” Francis said. “While I was doing that, I noticed I was on fire.”
That didn’t stop Francis, who pulled a Marine to a casualty collection point while receiving small-arms fire.
Then, according to the citation, Francis refused to be evacuated (from the combat zone) until his Marines received medical attention.
“The award doesn’t mean as much to me as my Marines coming back to their families,” said Francis of Hazelwood, Mo.
Today, Francis works as an operations chief with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He said he plans to use his combat experience to help Marines operate on the battlefield when he deploys with his unit later this year.
Ellie
Even so, Francis proved he could take the heat.
While still suffering from third-degree burns and shrapnel wounds, he pulled an unconscious Marine from his burning vehicle after his vehicle was ambushed in the streets of Karabilah, Iraq during Operation Matador.
For his grace under fire with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Francis was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing device by the battalion’s executive officer, Maj. Scott D. Leonard, here May 12.
“We were going to do a relief and place for 1st Mobile Assault Platoon, Weapons Company, link up with tanks and push just south of Sadah through a ladder-patterned road when we approached ‘the road,’” said Francis, who was then infantry platoon sergeant with 2nd MAP, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines.
That’s when Francis’ vehicle was ambushed with three rocket-propelled grenades, machinegun and small-arms fire.
Fortunately, the RPGs didn’t detonate nor did the machine gun or small arms fire puncture the glass on the vehicle.
No one was injured, but Francis knew the attacks were far from over.
At that point, Francis had two options: assault through another road or push through on his current direction of travel.
Francis chose the latter for his Marines’ safety.
He then told his gunner to reload the mounted M-2 .50 caliber machinegun, spotted the direction to watch for and moved forward on the road.
“We were all looking left,” Francis said.
Unfortunately, danger was on the right.
In an instant, his vehicle was struck then by a single-man driven, forward-loaded, suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device from the right.
“It was like Backdraft (the movie),” Francis said.
At that moment, flames boiled around inside of the vehicle, for a few seconds, singing the Marines inside.
“After the fire stopped we checked each other,” Francis said. “While I was doing that, I noticed I was on fire.”
That didn’t stop Francis, who pulled a Marine to a casualty collection point while receiving small-arms fire.
Then, according to the citation, Francis refused to be evacuated (from the combat zone) until his Marines received medical attention.
“The award doesn’t mean as much to me as my Marines coming back to their families,” said Francis of Hazelwood, Mo.
Today, Francis works as an operations chief with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He said he plans to use his combat experience to help Marines operate on the battlefield when he deploys with his unit later this year.
Ellie