Moto - Royal Marine throws himself onto grenade

[cfranco89]

A Royal Marine who threw himself onto an exploding grenade to save the lives of his patrol has been put forward for the UK's highest military honour.
Lance Corporal Matt Croucher, 24, a reservist from Birmingham, survived because his rucksack and body armour took the force of the blast.
He was part of a reconnaissance troop in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in February, when the incident happened.
The Ministry of Defence said he could be considered for the Victoria Cross. <!-- E SF -->
Bloodied nose
A spokesman said L/Cpl Croucher's comrades had made a citation to their commanding officer and officers were now considering whether to put his name forward for the honour.
L/Cpl Croucher, a member of 40 Commando, had been searching a compound south of Sangin which was suspected as being used for making bombs to attack British and Afghan troops.
When a Taleban booby-trap grenade was tripped, L/Cpl Croucher jumped on to the device to absorb the force of the explosion with his backpack as his comrades dived for cover. The blast blew his rucksack more than 30ft away but he remarkably suffered only severe shock and a bloodied nose in the incident.<!-- E BO -->

That is the kind of man I want next to me. All poolees including myself should be motivated to put our lives on the line for our brothers in uniform. :iwo:

[crazymjb]

Two U.S. Marines have done the same in recent time as well (anyone know the status on Sgt Peraltas MOH BTW?).

Shows an incredible ammount of dedication and bond of brotherhood. This Royal Marine was lucky to get away how he did, and his comrades are lucky to have him.

Mike

[McSweeney]

is it possible to live thru jumping on a nade?

[ZSKI]

well one of them cpl dunham didn't die from the fragments form the gernade he jumped on it with a kevlar and he actually died form a tiny splinter from it. Other then that i believe it he suffered no critical injuries

[Psurichie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOHMoHjVWhA&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOHMoHjVWhA&feature=related)

[Psurichie]

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

CORPORAL
JASON L. DUNHAM
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of this life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004. Corporal Dunham's squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander's convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah. As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy. Discovering sever Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham as his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, and insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat. Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

[Jonny Destroyer]

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

CORPORAL
JASON L. DUNHAM
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of this life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004. Corporal Dunham's squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander's convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah. As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy. Discovering sever Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham as his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, and insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat. Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Thats one hell of a Marine right there.
I was stationed at Camp Husayba (formerly known as Camp Gannon) and conducted combat operations in Karabilah on a few occassions. That area is extremely hostile towards Marines, from my experiences. There wasnt a day that went by where we didnt take incoming fire. I just hope everyone else that operates in that region can stay safe.

[MotivatorOfTheGuard]

I would like to point out something, in reference to the topic line. This is a sad reality, that Marines have to make the ultimate sacrifice sometimes for their fellow brothers. It is unfortunate, it is revered, however, it is NOT "moto". Marines dying is not motivating. Cadence runs are moto, this is not.

[cfranco89]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean that Marines dying is motivating. The brotherhood Marines have for eachother and the length they will go to protect them is motivating.