thedrifter
06-18-08, 02:37 PM
Mohill links for US medic honoured for valour
Published Date: 18 June 2008
By Leonie McKiernan
It takes a very special person to put their own life on the line for not only their country but also their colleagues, but recently one such brave individual, medic US Seaman Brendan McGuire, whose family hail from Mohill, Co Leitrim, was honoured for not merely one act of bravery, but three, during his tour of duty in Iraq.
The son of Kevin McGuire, Mohill, Seaman McGuire who was raised in New Jersey was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with "V" for three separate acts of valour during his six-month deployment to the war torn Middle East in 2005.
The first incident was on April 28, 2005, just six weeks after he arrived in Iraq, when a car carrying an injured Iraqi civilian stopped and asked him for help.
Not only did he provide medical aid for the man, he also treated three other Iraqi civilians who had been injured in the crossfire between Marines and insurgents.
Only 10 days later on May 8, 2005 Seaman McGuire went to the aid of six Marines wounded during a clearing operation despite being under fire himself.
He provided medical treatment for their wounds and all six survived their injuries.
But perhaps the most serious incident occurred in early August that year when an amphibious assault vehicle full of US Marines was hit by a roadside bomb in Barwana, Iraq.
Fourteen people were killed in the attack and Seaman McGuire was one of the first medics on the scene. He bravely ran to assist the injured trapped in a burning vehicle despite the constant enemy gunfire.
He managed to locate the lone Marine survivor as he was crawling from the vehicle, dragging him to safety and giving him medical care despite the difficult conditions.
Thankfully for Seaman McGuire he finished his tour of duty and returned home in late September 2005.
Nearly three years later he discovered he'd received a commendation for his bravery during these three events.
His family are justifiably proud of his achievement, for not merely his selfless behaviour while experiencing such pressure and stress, but for his quick thinking which undoubtedly saved the lives of his fellow Marines and Iraqi civilians.
Seaman McGuire's uncles Brian and Thomas McGuire and his aunt, Joan McKeon, all still reside in Mohill and are likewise very proud of their nephew's achievement.
Not only was Seaman McGuire honoured with the Navy Achievement Medal with "V", his story was also recounted in the June 14 issue of the Stars and Stripes military publication.
He has since gone on to work in the US Naval Hospital Yokosuka's patient care ward in Japan.
Ellie
Published Date: 18 June 2008
By Leonie McKiernan
It takes a very special person to put their own life on the line for not only their country but also their colleagues, but recently one such brave individual, medic US Seaman Brendan McGuire, whose family hail from Mohill, Co Leitrim, was honoured for not merely one act of bravery, but three, during his tour of duty in Iraq.
The son of Kevin McGuire, Mohill, Seaman McGuire who was raised in New Jersey was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with "V" for three separate acts of valour during his six-month deployment to the war torn Middle East in 2005.
The first incident was on April 28, 2005, just six weeks after he arrived in Iraq, when a car carrying an injured Iraqi civilian stopped and asked him for help.
Not only did he provide medical aid for the man, he also treated three other Iraqi civilians who had been injured in the crossfire between Marines and insurgents.
Only 10 days later on May 8, 2005 Seaman McGuire went to the aid of six Marines wounded during a clearing operation despite being under fire himself.
He provided medical treatment for their wounds and all six survived their injuries.
But perhaps the most serious incident occurred in early August that year when an amphibious assault vehicle full of US Marines was hit by a roadside bomb in Barwana, Iraq.
Fourteen people were killed in the attack and Seaman McGuire was one of the first medics on the scene. He bravely ran to assist the injured trapped in a burning vehicle despite the constant enemy gunfire.
He managed to locate the lone Marine survivor as he was crawling from the vehicle, dragging him to safety and giving him medical care despite the difficult conditions.
Thankfully for Seaman McGuire he finished his tour of duty and returned home in late September 2005.
Nearly three years later he discovered he'd received a commendation for his bravery during these three events.
His family are justifiably proud of his achievement, for not merely his selfless behaviour while experiencing such pressure and stress, but for his quick thinking which undoubtedly saved the lives of his fellow Marines and Iraqi civilians.
Seaman McGuire's uncles Brian and Thomas McGuire and his aunt, Joan McKeon, all still reside in Mohill and are likewise very proud of their nephew's achievement.
Not only was Seaman McGuire honoured with the Navy Achievement Medal with "V", his story was also recounted in the June 14 issue of the Stars and Stripes military publication.
He has since gone on to work in the US Naval Hospital Yokosuka's patient care ward in Japan.
Ellie