thedrifter
02-20-08, 06:18 AM
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif-- Pinned within the confines of a building by heavy insurgent gunfire, Cpl. Sean A. Stokes returned fire, killing the enemy before any of his fellow Marines could be injured.
Dazed and wounded from an enemy grenade, then-Pvt. Stokes provided suppressive fire so his team could reach safety.
For his actions during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, Stokes received a posthumous Silver Star, the nation's third highest honor for valor, during an award ceremony at Camp Horno here Feb. 6.
Stokes’ father and brother received the posthumously award on what would have been his 25th birthday.
“We’re celebrating his birthday today, it’s awesome,” said Gary Stokes, 52, Sean’s father. “We got this awesome birthday present, even if he’s not here.”
Stokes was killed during his third tour in Iraq in 2007. He was the first Marine private to earn the Silver Star since the Vietnam War.
Stokes extended his enlistment for three months just to deploy with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
Gary Stokes said that his son felt a calling to remain in the military.
He never really worried about dying, even though he’d had so many close calls, the Stokes family said.
“He’d been through so much,” said Sue M. Stokes, 53, his stepmother. “He figured he could handle himself.”
His family, friends and fellow comrades saw him as a hero and an excellant Marine.
“He was an outstanding Marine,” said Lt. Col. Phillip W. Chandler, 41, Monroeville, Ala., commanding officer of 3/1 during the 2007 deployment to Iraq. “He was always leading.”
Chandler explained that Stokes was a Marine who had an impact on anyone around him, not because he was loud but because of his leadership skills and accomplishments.
Stokes’ father said he was proud to see his son receive recognition that he deserved.
Sean said that he didn’t do anything to warrant the award, Gary Stokes said.
“He would have said that it was for the guys and that he would hold on to it for them.”
Many Marines from all over the Corps have learned of Stokes’ acts of heroism and now see him as a legend.
“There are Marines who didn’t even tour with him (who) showed up,” said Staff Sgt. Nicole C. Besier, former fiancée of Stokes, who still totes her engagement ring with her. “He was a great Marine and Marines in the future will know of him.”
Many who know Stokes personally and professionally have the same feelings toward him. They see him as a man who upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
“He is and forever more my hero,” Chandler said.
Dazed and wounded from an enemy grenade, then-Pvt. Stokes provided suppressive fire so his team could reach safety.
For his actions during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, Stokes received a posthumous Silver Star, the nation's third highest honor for valor, during an award ceremony at Camp Horno here Feb. 6.
Stokes’ father and brother received the posthumously award on what would have been his 25th birthday.
“We’re celebrating his birthday today, it’s awesome,” said Gary Stokes, 52, Sean’s father. “We got this awesome birthday present, even if he’s not here.”
Stokes was killed during his third tour in Iraq in 2007. He was the first Marine private to earn the Silver Star since the Vietnam War.
Stokes extended his enlistment for three months just to deploy with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
Gary Stokes said that his son felt a calling to remain in the military.
He never really worried about dying, even though he’d had so many close calls, the Stokes family said.
“He’d been through so much,” said Sue M. Stokes, 53, his stepmother. “He figured he could handle himself.”
His family, friends and fellow comrades saw him as a hero and an excellant Marine.
“He was an outstanding Marine,” said Lt. Col. Phillip W. Chandler, 41, Monroeville, Ala., commanding officer of 3/1 during the 2007 deployment to Iraq. “He was always leading.”
Chandler explained that Stokes was a Marine who had an impact on anyone around him, not because he was loud but because of his leadership skills and accomplishments.
Stokes’ father said he was proud to see his son receive recognition that he deserved.
Sean said that he didn’t do anything to warrant the award, Gary Stokes said.
“He would have said that it was for the guys and that he would hold on to it for them.”
Many Marines from all over the Corps have learned of Stokes’ acts of heroism and now see him as a legend.
“There are Marines who didn’t even tour with him (who) showed up,” said Staff Sgt. Nicole C. Besier, former fiancée of Stokes, who still totes her engagement ring with her. “He was a great Marine and Marines in the future will know of him.”
Many who know Stokes personally and professionally have the same feelings toward him. They see him as a man who upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
“He is and forever more my hero,” Chandler said.