thedrifter
11-04-08, 07:21 AM
'The one who saved all our lives'
Marine earns Bronze Star
November 3, 2008 - 5:52PM
JENNIFER HLAD
Sgt. Joshua Gehret's synopsis of the events of March 7, 2008, is pretty concise.
Gehret's unit was in Iraq, and went out to "an area." They got a call about a truck that wasn't stopping, so they chased the truck. The truck stopped, and insurgents got out and started shooting at the Marines - mostly at the truck Gehret was in, since it was the closest.
So, Gehret said, "I mowed them down with a 240 (machine gun)."
Thursday, Gehret was awarded with the Bronze Star with "V" for combat valor for his actions that day.
"When everything went wrong, he was basically the one who saved all our lives," said Capt. John Roussos, who was Gehret's company commander at the time of the incident and was in the truck when it happened.
Gehret, who said he joined the Marine Corps because he "wanted to go to war," called the incident "a good time." He said he felt "all right" about getting the award.
Roussos said Gehret applied his training and did exactly what he needed to do.
Because Gehret was in the humvee's gun turret, he was the only one who could fire at the insurgents until the humvee stopped, Roussos said. Gehret had 200 rounds and needed to make sure each one counted.
Often, people in that situation seek cover and assess the situation before returning fire, said Roussos, who has deployed four times. But Gehret didn't even pause.
Gehret fired accurately, then reloaded, exposing himself to more fire as he worked to save his fellow Marines, Roussos said.
"He did his job phenomenally," said Roussos, who was awarded the Silver Star for his own actions that day. "If he didn't ... I wouldn't be here today."
Col. David Fuquea, chief of staff for the 2nd Marine Division, pinned the medal on Gehret's uniform as the rest of the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion stood in formation behind him.
"This is a tremendously important day for this Marine and this battalion," Fuquea said. "This is an incredible battalion that has done incredible things."
In the past 12 months, more than 20,000 2nd Marine Division Marines have deployed to Anbar province, Iraq, Fuquea said. Only 46 have earned Bronze Stars.
The award citation given to Gehret praised his bravery in the face of danger.
"Despite rounds impacting all around him ... Gehret remained in the turret and returned intense, accurate and destructive fire, effectively suppressing the insurgent forces," the citation reads. "His bold actions ... contributed to the killing of five insurgents and ensured the safety and well being of his fellow Marines."
Contact interactive content editor and military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467
Ellie
Marine earns Bronze Star
November 3, 2008 - 5:52PM
JENNIFER HLAD
Sgt. Joshua Gehret's synopsis of the events of March 7, 2008, is pretty concise.
Gehret's unit was in Iraq, and went out to "an area." They got a call about a truck that wasn't stopping, so they chased the truck. The truck stopped, and insurgents got out and started shooting at the Marines - mostly at the truck Gehret was in, since it was the closest.
So, Gehret said, "I mowed them down with a 240 (machine gun)."
Thursday, Gehret was awarded with the Bronze Star with "V" for combat valor for his actions that day.
"When everything went wrong, he was basically the one who saved all our lives," said Capt. John Roussos, who was Gehret's company commander at the time of the incident and was in the truck when it happened.
Gehret, who said he joined the Marine Corps because he "wanted to go to war," called the incident "a good time." He said he felt "all right" about getting the award.
Roussos said Gehret applied his training and did exactly what he needed to do.
Because Gehret was in the humvee's gun turret, he was the only one who could fire at the insurgents until the humvee stopped, Roussos said. Gehret had 200 rounds and needed to make sure each one counted.
Often, people in that situation seek cover and assess the situation before returning fire, said Roussos, who has deployed four times. But Gehret didn't even pause.
Gehret fired accurately, then reloaded, exposing himself to more fire as he worked to save his fellow Marines, Roussos said.
"He did his job phenomenally," said Roussos, who was awarded the Silver Star for his own actions that day. "If he didn't ... I wouldn't be here today."
Col. David Fuquea, chief of staff for the 2nd Marine Division, pinned the medal on Gehret's uniform as the rest of the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion stood in formation behind him.
"This is a tremendously important day for this Marine and this battalion," Fuquea said. "This is an incredible battalion that has done incredible things."
In the past 12 months, more than 20,000 2nd Marine Division Marines have deployed to Anbar province, Iraq, Fuquea said. Only 46 have earned Bronze Stars.
The award citation given to Gehret praised his bravery in the face of danger.
"Despite rounds impacting all around him ... Gehret remained in the turret and returned intense, accurate and destructive fire, effectively suppressing the insurgent forces," the citation reads. "His bold actions ... contributed to the killing of five insurgents and ensured the safety and well being of his fellow Marines."
Contact interactive content editor and military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467
Ellie