thedrifter
10-28-07, 07:52 AM
October 28, 2007
Unit named after Marine
Xochitl Peņa
The Desert Sun
Dunham died in Iraq saving lives of others
Cpl. Jason L. Dunham didn't have the combat experience of other Marines when he joined the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, based in Twentynine Palms.
He had come from security forces and it was through training, long nights and learning from his mistakes that he became a better leader and, ultimately, a hero.
He embodied a "warrior spirit" and in true selfless Marine fashion risked and ultimately lost his life for his platoon by jumping on a grenade.
For his heroic deed, he posthumously received a Medal of Honor in January and, on Saturday, was honored with a local detachment unit named for him. The program is designed to instill in youths the same traits that Marines learn.
"Very seldom does a name change occur," Commandant Alan Gibson said of the unit. "When we heard (of) the newest Medal of Honor recipient, we thought it's appropriate - a true American hero."
The Cathedral City detachment unit, formerly known as the Desert Cities Detachment, is now the Cpl. Jason L. Dunham MOH Detachment Marine Corps League.
"His smile could light up a room or auditorium. He was a leader on and off the battlefield," said 1st Sgt. Michael J. Templeton, who is based at Twentynine Palms.
Templeton knew Dunham briefly and shared his memories during Saturday's ceremony at the Fullenwider Auditorium at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio.
The event was attended mostly by retired Marines, local firefighters and detachment members. Dunham's family was unable to attend.
Templeton said he "took a liking" to Dunham right away and that he was respected by all who knew him.
Gunnery Sgt. John Ferguson, Dunham's platoon sergeant, wasn't able to attend the event, so Templeton read his speech.
Ferguson recounted the events that led to Dunham's fateful act on April 14, 2004.
Dunham's squad, conducting a reconnaissance mission in Karabilah, Iraq, was ambushed.
As the squad approached to provide fire support, an Iraqi insurgent exited a vehicle and attacked Dunham.
Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and alerted his fellow Marines that the enemy fighter had a grenade in his hand.
When the grenade dropped, Dunham took off his Kevlar helmet, covered the grenade and threw himself on top to smother the blast.
"For as long as I live, I will never forget the sight of (him) lying in the dirt," Ferguson wrote in his speech.
Templeton said Dunham was always thinking one step ahead.
The "what if's" were always on his mind.
Coincidentally, weeks before the insurgent attack, Dunham had asked if throwing a helmet on a grenade and then smothering it with a body would work.
In Dunham's case, his selfless act of courage saved the lives of two fellow Marines.
"Dunham was a Marine's Marine. He was loved and respected. Cpl. Dunham's life was not a waste," Templeton said.
Ellie
Unit named after Marine
Xochitl Peņa
The Desert Sun
Dunham died in Iraq saving lives of others
Cpl. Jason L. Dunham didn't have the combat experience of other Marines when he joined the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, based in Twentynine Palms.
He had come from security forces and it was through training, long nights and learning from his mistakes that he became a better leader and, ultimately, a hero.
He embodied a "warrior spirit" and in true selfless Marine fashion risked and ultimately lost his life for his platoon by jumping on a grenade.
For his heroic deed, he posthumously received a Medal of Honor in January and, on Saturday, was honored with a local detachment unit named for him. The program is designed to instill in youths the same traits that Marines learn.
"Very seldom does a name change occur," Commandant Alan Gibson said of the unit. "When we heard (of) the newest Medal of Honor recipient, we thought it's appropriate - a true American hero."
The Cathedral City detachment unit, formerly known as the Desert Cities Detachment, is now the Cpl. Jason L. Dunham MOH Detachment Marine Corps League.
"His smile could light up a room or auditorium. He was a leader on and off the battlefield," said 1st Sgt. Michael J. Templeton, who is based at Twentynine Palms.
Templeton knew Dunham briefly and shared his memories during Saturday's ceremony at the Fullenwider Auditorium at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio.
The event was attended mostly by retired Marines, local firefighters and detachment members. Dunham's family was unable to attend.
Templeton said he "took a liking" to Dunham right away and that he was respected by all who knew him.
Gunnery Sgt. John Ferguson, Dunham's platoon sergeant, wasn't able to attend the event, so Templeton read his speech.
Ferguson recounted the events that led to Dunham's fateful act on April 14, 2004.
Dunham's squad, conducting a reconnaissance mission in Karabilah, Iraq, was ambushed.
As the squad approached to provide fire support, an Iraqi insurgent exited a vehicle and attacked Dunham.
Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and alerted his fellow Marines that the enemy fighter had a grenade in his hand.
When the grenade dropped, Dunham took off his Kevlar helmet, covered the grenade and threw himself on top to smother the blast.
"For as long as I live, I will never forget the sight of (him) lying in the dirt," Ferguson wrote in his speech.
Templeton said Dunham was always thinking one step ahead.
The "what if's" were always on his mind.
Coincidentally, weeks before the insurgent attack, Dunham had asked if throwing a helmet on a grenade and then smothering it with a body would work.
In Dunham's case, his selfless act of courage saved the lives of two fellow Marines.
"Dunham was a Marine's Marine. He was loved and respected. Cpl. Dunham's life was not a waste," Templeton said.
Ellie