thedrifter
04-12-07, 07:38 AM
First Coast Hero to be Honored by Navy & Marines
By Grayson Kamm
First Coast News
KINGS BAY, GA -- The heroic act of one First Coast Marine will live on, along with his name, in two new monuments.
The Navy has announced it will name its newest guided-missile destroyer after Medal of Honor recipient Jason Dunham. Marines here on the First Coast plan to honor his memory, as well.
Earlier this year, Dunham became the first Marine from the Iraq War to receive America's highest award, the Medal of Honor.
A young man and woman spent Wednesday morning buffing the brass on a monument at Kings Bay Submarine Base that will soon bear the picture and story of Corporal Jason Dunham.
During a fight in Iraq in 2004, an insurgent dropped a live grenade in the middle of Dunham's unit. With no hesitation, Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and his body. His heroism saved two fellow marines -- but cost Dunham his life.
"It's something that I believe that every Marine and sailor would do -- but until we're confronted with that situation, that scenario -- who's to really say?" said Major Mike Wilonsky, who's now second-in-command at the Marine Security Forces Company at Kings Bay, the unit where Dunham got his start in the Marine Corps.
The Marine barracks at Kings Bay is where the fallen hero served his first full assignment and learned to live as a Marine. In June, Major Wilonsky's unit will name the barracks after Corporal Jason Dunham.
"You can't say it enough. You can't put his name -- you can't tell his story to too many people," explained Wilonsky.
When a Marine comes to Kings Bay Submarine Base, he or she has two things to learn. The first is how to guard the base. The second is how to be a better Marine. Wilonsky said Corporal Dunham took that spirit he learned at Kings Bay onto the battlefield, when he made the ultimate sacrifice.
A Marine's typical stay at Kings Bay is two years or so. There is no one left in the unit who personally remembers Jason Dunham. But the monument and its buffed brass will make sure no one ever forgets his service, his sacrifice, and the spirit he learned here on the First Coast.
The barracks at Kings Bay will be officially named during a ceremony at the base on June 21st. The Navy's newest guided-missile destroyer is still under construction. The ship will get its official name -- USS Jason Dunham -- when it's christened.
Ellie
By Grayson Kamm
First Coast News
KINGS BAY, GA -- The heroic act of one First Coast Marine will live on, along with his name, in two new monuments.
The Navy has announced it will name its newest guided-missile destroyer after Medal of Honor recipient Jason Dunham. Marines here on the First Coast plan to honor his memory, as well.
Earlier this year, Dunham became the first Marine from the Iraq War to receive America's highest award, the Medal of Honor.
A young man and woman spent Wednesday morning buffing the brass on a monument at Kings Bay Submarine Base that will soon bear the picture and story of Corporal Jason Dunham.
During a fight in Iraq in 2004, an insurgent dropped a live grenade in the middle of Dunham's unit. With no hesitation, Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and his body. His heroism saved two fellow marines -- but cost Dunham his life.
"It's something that I believe that every Marine and sailor would do -- but until we're confronted with that situation, that scenario -- who's to really say?" said Major Mike Wilonsky, who's now second-in-command at the Marine Security Forces Company at Kings Bay, the unit where Dunham got his start in the Marine Corps.
The Marine barracks at Kings Bay is where the fallen hero served his first full assignment and learned to live as a Marine. In June, Major Wilonsky's unit will name the barracks after Corporal Jason Dunham.
"You can't say it enough. You can't put his name -- you can't tell his story to too many people," explained Wilonsky.
When a Marine comes to Kings Bay Submarine Base, he or she has two things to learn. The first is how to guard the base. The second is how to be a better Marine. Wilonsky said Corporal Dunham took that spirit he learned at Kings Bay onto the battlefield, when he made the ultimate sacrifice.
A Marine's typical stay at Kings Bay is two years or so. There is no one left in the unit who personally remembers Jason Dunham. But the monument and its buffed brass will make sure no one ever forgets his service, his sacrifice, and the spirit he learned here on the First Coast.
The barracks at Kings Bay will be officially named during a ceremony at the base on June 21st. The Navy's newest guided-missile destroyer is still under construction. The ship will get its official name -- USS Jason Dunham -- when it's christened.
Ellie