thedrifter
05-04-09, 05:56 AM
Honoring 'American Heroes'
Comments 1 | Recommend 1
May 3, 2009 - 7:24 PM
AMANDA HICKEY
Surrounded by memorabilia spanning the Marine Corps' history, four Marines and a sailor were honored as heroes Saturday night.
Sgt. Joseph Buompastore, Staff Sgt. Samuel Deeds, Cpl. Jared Hege, Sgt. Mark A. Robinson and Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephen Blas were honored with the American Hero Awards at Sywanyks Scarlett & Gold by Main Street, a fraternal business networking organization that supports the military and other groups.
Robinson, who is with Marine Special Operations Advisor Group, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, was also the recipient of the first John Archer Lejeune Award for Bravery.
"We say the word hero and throw it around like we're throwing craps ... but it goes to the core of these (men)," said John Reed, co-chairman of Main Street.
While deployed to Afghanistan, Robinson was on patrol when his platoon came under rocket-propelled grenade and machine gun fire, said Sgt. Major R.D. Himsworth, sergeant major of II Marine Expeditionary Force. When Robinson saw insurgents on nearby rooftops, he engaged them.
His platoon got to a nearby compound and had entered a house when insurgents began to move in.
Robinson and another Marine tried to engage fire outside of the house to learn where the insurgents were - without luck - and while re-entering, an RPG struck the doorway above Robinson's head, Himsworth said.
"It became apparent that the patrol was outnumbered and surrounded," Himsworth said.
Taliban insurgents were outside the room and shooting in. Robinson threw hand grenades through the window.
Through the course of the fight, Robinson "continued his one-man fight" while wounded platoon members were able to seek cover, Himsworth said.
When the fight was over, and the platoon was out of the compound and safe, "only then did (Robinson) climb onto the hood and ride back," he said.
Robinson killed eight Taliban and wounded numerous others, Himsworth said. "He single-handedly destroyed the Taliban forces until the room was occupied by only him."
The award was "truly an honor," Robinson said, before thanking his master sergeant and returning to sit among his fellow heroes.
Robinson, who joined the Marine Corps in 2000, has also received two Combat Action Ribbons, three Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, five Sea Service Deployment Medals, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, one Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, one National Defense Service Medal, two Navy Unit Commendations, one NATO medal and one Certificate of Commendation.
He has been nominated for the Silver Star.
Deeds was honored as an American Hero for pulling three people out of the water who had been pulled offshore at Onslow Beach aboard Camp Lejeune, despite recovering from stomach surgery and wearing a stomach brace, said Lt. General Dennis Hejlik, commander of II MEF.
Hege was on liberty when he heard a scream from a 12-year-old girl who was being attacked by a Rottweiler, Hejlik said. He saved the girl, but was bitten himself.
Buompastore was honored for heroic actions while in combat in Afghanistan, Hejlik said.
It was also the first plaque Buompastore ever received, Reed said, before giving back the $20 Buompastore paid for his parents' tickets.
Blas was honored for helping an Army major who was injured by a grenade in a nighttime firefight, Hejlik said. Blas stayed with the major for about 15 hours until he could be moved to a hospital for treatment and is credited with saving the man's life.
"The Marine Corps and Navy are in your hands," Hejlik told the award winners, explaining it is up to them to show those below them how to achieve high standards. "You don't have to do what you do. ... There's no draft; you volunteered."
Contact Jacksonville/Onslow County reporter Amanda Hickey at 910-219-8461 or ahickey@freedomenc.com.
Ellie
Comments 1 | Recommend 1
May 3, 2009 - 7:24 PM
AMANDA HICKEY
Surrounded by memorabilia spanning the Marine Corps' history, four Marines and a sailor were honored as heroes Saturday night.
Sgt. Joseph Buompastore, Staff Sgt. Samuel Deeds, Cpl. Jared Hege, Sgt. Mark A. Robinson and Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephen Blas were honored with the American Hero Awards at Sywanyks Scarlett & Gold by Main Street, a fraternal business networking organization that supports the military and other groups.
Robinson, who is with Marine Special Operations Advisor Group, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, was also the recipient of the first John Archer Lejeune Award for Bravery.
"We say the word hero and throw it around like we're throwing craps ... but it goes to the core of these (men)," said John Reed, co-chairman of Main Street.
While deployed to Afghanistan, Robinson was on patrol when his platoon came under rocket-propelled grenade and machine gun fire, said Sgt. Major R.D. Himsworth, sergeant major of II Marine Expeditionary Force. When Robinson saw insurgents on nearby rooftops, he engaged them.
His platoon got to a nearby compound and had entered a house when insurgents began to move in.
Robinson and another Marine tried to engage fire outside of the house to learn where the insurgents were - without luck - and while re-entering, an RPG struck the doorway above Robinson's head, Himsworth said.
"It became apparent that the patrol was outnumbered and surrounded," Himsworth said.
Taliban insurgents were outside the room and shooting in. Robinson threw hand grenades through the window.
Through the course of the fight, Robinson "continued his one-man fight" while wounded platoon members were able to seek cover, Himsworth said.
When the fight was over, and the platoon was out of the compound and safe, "only then did (Robinson) climb onto the hood and ride back," he said.
Robinson killed eight Taliban and wounded numerous others, Himsworth said. "He single-handedly destroyed the Taliban forces until the room was occupied by only him."
The award was "truly an honor," Robinson said, before thanking his master sergeant and returning to sit among his fellow heroes.
Robinson, who joined the Marine Corps in 2000, has also received two Combat Action Ribbons, three Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, five Sea Service Deployment Medals, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, one Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, one National Defense Service Medal, two Navy Unit Commendations, one NATO medal and one Certificate of Commendation.
He has been nominated for the Silver Star.
Deeds was honored as an American Hero for pulling three people out of the water who had been pulled offshore at Onslow Beach aboard Camp Lejeune, despite recovering from stomach surgery and wearing a stomach brace, said Lt. General Dennis Hejlik, commander of II MEF.
Hege was on liberty when he heard a scream from a 12-year-old girl who was being attacked by a Rottweiler, Hejlik said. He saved the girl, but was bitten himself.
Buompastore was honored for heroic actions while in combat in Afghanistan, Hejlik said.
It was also the first plaque Buompastore ever received, Reed said, before giving back the $20 Buompastore paid for his parents' tickets.
Blas was honored for helping an Army major who was injured by a grenade in a nighttime firefight, Hejlik said. Blas stayed with the major for about 15 hours until he could be moved to a hospital for treatment and is credited with saving the man's life.
"The Marine Corps and Navy are in your hands," Hejlik told the award winners, explaining it is up to them to show those below them how to achieve high standards. "You don't have to do what you do. ... There's no draft; you volunteered."
Contact Jacksonville/Onslow County reporter Amanda Hickey at 910-219-8461 or ahickey@freedomenc.com.
Ellie