Jason Dunham
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Jason L. Dunham | |
|---|---|
| 10 November 1981-22 April 2004 | |
 Jason Dunham's official Recruit Training portrait |
|
| Nickname | Uno |
| Place of birth | Scio, New York |
| Place of death | Bethesda, Maryland, DOW received in Iraq |
| Allegiance | USMC |
| Years of service | 2000-2004 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit | 3rd Battalion 7th Marines |
| Battles/wars | Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Awards | Medal of Honor - to be awarded Purple Heart Combat Action Ribbon |
Jason Dunham (November 10, 1981 – April 22, 2004) was a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps who served with 4th Platoon, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment (3/7),I Marine Expeditionary Force, 1st Marine Division, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.[1] On November 10, 2006, at the dedication of the National Museum of the Marine Corps, President George W. Bush announced that Dunham would be awarded the Medal of Honor.[2] Dunham will be the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq. President Bush will present Dunham's family with the medal at the White House on January 11, 2007[3]
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Jason Dunham was a corporal in the United States Marine Corps from Scio, New York. In early 2004, he was serving with 4th Platoon, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment (3/7), I Marine Expeditionary Force, 1st Marine Division. On April 14, 2004, Corporal Dunham was leading a Marine patrol near Husaybah, Iraq, investigating an attack on a Marine convoy. His patrol intercepted a number of cars spotted near the scene of the attack. An individual in one of the vehicles attacked Dunham. During the fighting, the individual dropped a live hand grenade. Dunham, to save the rest of his men, threw himself on the grenade, attempting to use his helmet to shield himself and others from the explosion.
Corporal Dunham was severely wounded as a result of the grenade blast and was taken to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Although he survived for some days, he died on April 22, 2004. Shortly beforehand, Marine Corps Commandant Michael Hagee presented Dunham with the Purple Heart. General Hagee, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps John L. Estrada and Dunham's parents were at his bedside when he died.[4]
[edit] Posthumous honors
In 2004, Michael M. Phillips, staff writer for the Wall Street Journal, wrote an article summarizing Dunham's actions that appeared on page A1, column 1 of the May 25th Journal. [5] In 2005, Phillips published, through Broadway Books, The Gift of Valor: A War Story, which told Dunham's life story. [1]
Shortly after his death, Lieutenant Colonel Matt Lopez, commander of 3/7, along with others in Dunham's chain of command, began the process of nominating the corporal for the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest award for valor in combat.
On March 14, 2006, President George W. Bush signed a bill officially renaming the post office in Dunham's hometown to the Corporal Jason Dunham Post Office [6]. He also met with Dunham's family, at which time they gave him a copy of The Gift of Valor. [7]
On November 10, 2006, at the dedication of the National Museum of the Marine Corps, President George W. Bush announced that Corporal Dunham would receive the Medal of Honor, making him the second recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the first Marine Corps recipient for actions in Iraq.
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Phillips, 2005.
- ^ Gidget Fuentes. "Medal of Honor is first for a Marine since Vietnam", Marine Corps Times, November 10, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-10.
- ^ Sally B. Donnelly. "Iraq: The War Without Honors", Time, December 3, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-04.
- ^ Garcia, 2004
- ^ Phillips, Michael M. (May 25, 2004). "In Combat, Marine Put Theory to Test, Comrades Believe Cpl. Dunham's Quick Action In Face of Grenade Saved 2 Lives". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved on 2006-07-09. Republished on Jason Dunham Memorial Website.
- ^ Kuhl, 2005
- ^ WHEC-TV News 10, March 16, 2006.
[edit] References
- Phillips, Michael W. The Gift of Valor: A War Story, New York: Broadway Books, 2005. ISBN 0-7679-2037-6.
- Garcia, Sgt Jose L. (April 29, 2004). "Marines honor corporal's heroic sacrifice". Marine Corps News. United States Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2006-07-09.
- Kuhl, John R. (December 19, 2005). Kuhl Bill to honor Dunham passes House: Kuhl bill names post office in Scio after fallen Marine Corporal Jason Dunham. U.S. Representative John R. "Randy" Kuhl, Jr. , New York's 29th District. Retrieved on 2006-07-09.</ref>
- Schumer, Senator Charles E. (2004-05-27). Schumer asks President to award Congressional Medal of Honor to Hero NY Marine who died after. Press Release. Office of U.S. Senator Charles E. Shumer, New York. Retrieved on 2006-07-09.
- Post office being renamed to honor fallen war hero. WHEC-TV News 10 (Rochester, NY) (March 16, 2006). Retrieved on 2006-04-30.
- Staff Sgt. Scott Dunn (November 10, 2006). First Long War Marine to receive Medal of Honor. Marine Corps News. United States Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2006-11-10.
[edit] External links
- Cpl. Jason Dunham's 'Gift of Valor'". All Things Considered. NPR (May 27, 2005). Retrieved on 2006-07-09.
- "Marines keep me safe". Talking Proud. Retrieved on 2006-07-09. Story of Jason Dunham's life.
