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thedrifter
08-13-07, 07:15 AM
08/13/07 - Posted from the Daily Record newsroom
Military names Lk. Hopatcong native a hero

Major earned Bronze Star for service in Iraq

BY TEHANI SCHNEIDER
DAILY RECORD

When Maj. Frank DiOrio reflects on the year he spent in Iraq, his thoughts inevitably turn to April 11, 2005 -- the day that earned the Marine commander a Bronze Star.

For DiOrio, a Lake Hopatcong native now teaching at the Virginia Military Institute, the memory of the dozens of insurgents who surrounded his company that day in Husaybah has faded with time.

Today, the 34-year-old remembers his Marines, and the risks they took to move casualties to safety during the attack by more than 40 insurgents on Camp Gannon near the Syrian border.

"It took a while to forget the sounds, explosions and chaos," said DiOrio, a 1991 graduate of Pope John XXIII High School in Sparta.

"What I remember now is my Marines running to different battle positions. I remember my lieutenant and first sergeant moving into fire... I can see some of them, as direct fire is hitting all arou nd them, they're moving out in order to engage the enemy."

Those images, remnants of a day that warranted DiOrio the military's prestigious medal for bravery and meritorious service, were fleshed out once more for "Heroes of the Week."

The program is a Department of Defense initiative that features syndicated radio interviews of military members cited for extraordinary service in Iraq or Afghanistan.

But DiOrio, who this past week was the department's featured hero, didn't mind reliving that day with various local and regional radio hosts last week. The battle was one of more than 275 engagements that he led his 40 Marines in during his seven months in Husaybah.

"We do need to be reminded, no matter what's on the landscape politically (that) Marines, soldiers and sailors are going to work every day in harm's way," he said.

"We can easily forget that as we read the papers and watch TV. We forget that there's real people doing what was asked of them."

Angela French, a researcher for the writers group of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, said the program, which was launched in December, is similar to the Pentagon's online initiative, "50 Heroes from 50 States."

That venture, which began featuring military members once a week last September, was the answer to calls from Capitol Hill and media analysts for more positive news on the war in Iraq, French said.

Its success triggered the department to launch "Heroes of the Week," to allow for a more interactive look at the military, instead of a small blurb online, she said. To date, 35 members of the military have been featured in "Heroes," she said.

"In reality, it was in response to Congress complaining that the media wasn't covering positive aspects of the war," French said. "That was definitely our role, we needed to fulfill it."

DiOrio, she said, is a wonderful example of the troops who are featured in "Heroes." Some are still fighting in Iraq, some have been honored posthumously and others, like DiOrio, have moved into the civilian sector to teach future Marines.

"He's kind of one of those quiet, selfless leaders," said French, who personally contacted many of the military members featured.

"I think he's just wonderful. He realizes that the story needs to get out there and he has no problem telling it because it honors those he's lost."

DiOrio's company was challenged by the insurgents that day in April 2005, but all survived the attack, he said. Through the mortar fire and two suicide vehicles, including an explosive-laden fire truck, the company emerged wholly intact.

"It was a miracle," he said.

On Jan. 31, 2006, DiOrio was awarded his Bronze Star at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The honor, which he called "humbling," came a month after he returned home from Iraq to his pregnant wife, Charlotte.

Their daughter, Talia-Rose, was born two days after his return. Her birth and the desire to remain close to his family prompted DiOrio to accept an offer to teach two courses at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va. midway through his three-year tour.

These days, DiOrio is preparing for a fall return to VMI, where he teaches the evolution of warfare and leads a laboratory leadership seminar for students seeking a greater understanding of the military.

But the call from the Pentagon seeking to feature his story on "Heroes" was one he willingly embraced. His only wish is that his fellow Marines could have been featured as well.

He understands the focus of "Heroes" is apolitical, but realizes its intent is to counteract negative comments and attitudes about the war.

"For people in uniform, we understand that's part of it," he said. "But for every person who's lost, for everyone who's wounded, there's a family affected by that. If we don't forget that, we'll appreciate what they did and what they're still doing today."

Tehani Schneider can be reached at (973) 428-6631 or tschneider@gannett.com.

Ellie