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08-20-07, 10:48 AM
The 22-year-old soldier threw himself on a grenade in Iraq. Kings bay barracks It is now formally named after Jason Dunham.
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<MCC BYLINE1>By Gordon Jackson, </MCC BYLINE1><MCC BYLINE2>The Times-Union</MCC BYLINE2>
<MCC STORY>ST. MARYS - The brick barracks Cpl. Jason Dunham called home for the three years he was stationed with the Marine Corps Security Unit at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base now has his name.
The fallen Marine's old barracks, where he served from 2000 until 2003, was formally named the Dunham Barracks in a ceremony held Friday at Kings Bay in recognition of the Medal of Honor recipient.
Dunham's family traveled from their home in Scio, N.Y., for the ceremony, which featured the commanding officer of his unit at Kings Bay and the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps as speakers. They were joined by hundreds of Marines in their Delta dress uniforms and sailors in their dress whites.
Lt. Col. Andrew J. Murray, commanding officer of the security unit at Kings Bay, told the audience that Dunham was "a uniquely special Marine."
He said the barracks was not dedicated to Dunham because he was a Medal of Honor recipient, "though that would be appropriate."
Murray named former Marines and sailors who also received the Medal of Honor - the highest possible honor for anyone serving in any branch of the military.
"Every Marine in the crowd today was raised on the exploits of these men," he said of former recipients of the honor. "Cpl. Jason Dunham has added his name to that hallowed list, as well."
Murray said Dunham set an example that should be followed by future Marines and sailors.
"It is fitting, for all these reasons, we dedicate these barracks," he said.
Dunham, 22, was critically injured on April 14, 2004, in Iraq after he threw himself on a grenade dropped on the ground during a struggle with an insurgent. Dunham used his helmet to blunt the force of the grenade blast, saving the lives of two fellow Marines in his squad. He died from his injuries eight days later.
Gen. Robert Magnus, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, said Dunham "made an instant decision to do what he had to do."
"He wanted to save the lives of his fellow Marines," Magnus said. "Jason knew it was his mission."
Former Sgt. Aaron Betts said he came from Knoxville, Tenn., to attend the ceremony. Betts, who was Dunham's team leader when the they were assigned at Kings Bay, gave Dunham's mother, Deb Dunham, a photo album containing pictures of her son she had never seen before. She hugged Betts as tears welled in her eyes in gratitude.
Betts described Dunham as "a natural leader" who was always dedicated to his job.
"He was a guy you knew was ready to go when he came to work," he said.
After the ceremony, Deb Dunham said the stories she's heard from Marines about her son are "healing."
"The support we get is great," she said. "All we run into is kindness."
Dan Dunham said his son "is probably looking down on them and laughing" about the attention he's getting. He said he isn't surprised at the sacrifice his son made to save fellow Marines.
"I learned there are a lot of people who care," he said.
Dan Dunham said his son extended his tour of duty to be with the men he trained with in preparation for their tour of duty in Iraq.
"He wanted them all to come back," Dan Dunham said. "He was their squad leader."
The Dunhams refused to take credit for the courage their son displayed in combat, saying he always had a selfless attitude.
"We learned more from Jason than he learned from us," Dan Dunham said.
Capt. Dave Fleming, Dunham's platoon commander in Iraq, said there was "no question" Dunham would be awarded the Medal of Honor once he learned details of his death.
Fleming said he wasn't surprised Dunham was capable of sacrificing his life to save fellow Marines.
"He was the guy you would expect it from," he said.
Attending the ceremony "dredged up memories" Fleming said he can never forget.
"The ceremony put a lump in my throat," he said. "It makes you think about the loss."
gordon.jackson@jacksonville.com,
(912) 729-3672
http://www.jacksonville.com/images/mdControlled/cms/2007/08/18/192443299.jpg (http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/slideshows/081807/192443074/slide1.shtml)
CHRIS VIOLA / The Florida Times-Union
CHRIS VIOLA/The Times-Union
Dan and Deb Dunham, the parents of Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham, listen to Marine Corps Assistant Commandant Gen. Robert Magnus speak of the bravery of their son at Kings Bay.
http://www.jacksonville.com/images/mdControlled/cms/2007/08/18/192443171.jpg (http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/slideshows/081807/192443074/slide2.shtml)
CHRIS VIOLA / The Florida Times-Union
CHRIS VIOLA/The Times-Union
Marine Maj. Trent Gibson listens to the the Medal of Honor citation for Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham during the dedication ceremony at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base
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</MCC SUBHEAD>
<MCC BYLINE1>By Gordon Jackson, </MCC BYLINE1><MCC BYLINE2>The Times-Union</MCC BYLINE2>
<MCC STORY>ST. MARYS - The brick barracks Cpl. Jason Dunham called home for the three years he was stationed with the Marine Corps Security Unit at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base now has his name.
The fallen Marine's old barracks, where he served from 2000 until 2003, was formally named the Dunham Barracks in a ceremony held Friday at Kings Bay in recognition of the Medal of Honor recipient.
Dunham's family traveled from their home in Scio, N.Y., for the ceremony, which featured the commanding officer of his unit at Kings Bay and the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps as speakers. They were joined by hundreds of Marines in their Delta dress uniforms and sailors in their dress whites.
Lt. Col. Andrew J. Murray, commanding officer of the security unit at Kings Bay, told the audience that Dunham was "a uniquely special Marine."
He said the barracks was not dedicated to Dunham because he was a Medal of Honor recipient, "though that would be appropriate."
Murray named former Marines and sailors who also received the Medal of Honor - the highest possible honor for anyone serving in any branch of the military.
"Every Marine in the crowd today was raised on the exploits of these men," he said of former recipients of the honor. "Cpl. Jason Dunham has added his name to that hallowed list, as well."
Murray said Dunham set an example that should be followed by future Marines and sailors.
"It is fitting, for all these reasons, we dedicate these barracks," he said.
Dunham, 22, was critically injured on April 14, 2004, in Iraq after he threw himself on a grenade dropped on the ground during a struggle with an insurgent. Dunham used his helmet to blunt the force of the grenade blast, saving the lives of two fellow Marines in his squad. He died from his injuries eight days later.
Gen. Robert Magnus, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, said Dunham "made an instant decision to do what he had to do."
"He wanted to save the lives of his fellow Marines," Magnus said. "Jason knew it was his mission."
Former Sgt. Aaron Betts said he came from Knoxville, Tenn., to attend the ceremony. Betts, who was Dunham's team leader when the they were assigned at Kings Bay, gave Dunham's mother, Deb Dunham, a photo album containing pictures of her son she had never seen before. She hugged Betts as tears welled in her eyes in gratitude.
Betts described Dunham as "a natural leader" who was always dedicated to his job.
"He was a guy you knew was ready to go when he came to work," he said.
After the ceremony, Deb Dunham said the stories she's heard from Marines about her son are "healing."
"The support we get is great," she said. "All we run into is kindness."
Dan Dunham said his son "is probably looking down on them and laughing" about the attention he's getting. He said he isn't surprised at the sacrifice his son made to save fellow Marines.
"I learned there are a lot of people who care," he said.
Dan Dunham said his son extended his tour of duty to be with the men he trained with in preparation for their tour of duty in Iraq.
"He wanted them all to come back," Dan Dunham said. "He was their squad leader."
The Dunhams refused to take credit for the courage their son displayed in combat, saying he always had a selfless attitude.
"We learned more from Jason than he learned from us," Dan Dunham said.
Capt. Dave Fleming, Dunham's platoon commander in Iraq, said there was "no question" Dunham would be awarded the Medal of Honor once he learned details of his death.
Fleming said he wasn't surprised Dunham was capable of sacrificing his life to save fellow Marines.
"He was the guy you would expect it from," he said.
Attending the ceremony "dredged up memories" Fleming said he can never forget.
"The ceremony put a lump in my throat," he said. "It makes you think about the loss."
gordon.jackson@jacksonville.com,
(912) 729-3672
http://www.jacksonville.com/images/mdControlled/cms/2007/08/18/192443299.jpg (http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/slideshows/081807/192443074/slide1.shtml)
CHRIS VIOLA / The Florida Times-Union
CHRIS VIOLA/The Times-Union
Dan and Deb Dunham, the parents of Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham, listen to Marine Corps Assistant Commandant Gen. Robert Magnus speak of the bravery of their son at Kings Bay.
http://www.jacksonville.com/images/mdControlled/cms/2007/08/18/192443171.jpg (http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/slideshows/081807/192443074/slide2.shtml)
CHRIS VIOLA / The Florida Times-Union
CHRIS VIOLA/The Times-Union
Marine Maj. Trent Gibson listens to the the Medal of Honor citation for Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham during the dedication ceremony at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base
Click Thumbnails to View
http://www.jacksonville.com/images/mdControlled/cms/2007/08/18/192443299.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>: select_thumb('192443240', '192443309');)[/URL] <!-- [URL="http://#"]Click here to check for reprint availability. (http://javascript<b></b>: select_thumb('192443087', '192443186');)
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