Justin LeHew

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Justin D. LeHew
Born 1970 (age 37–38)
Justin LeHew
Place of birth	Lima, Ohio
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Rank	Sergeant Major
Unit	1st Battalion, 4th Marines 1st Reconnaissance Battalion
Battles/wars	Iraq War
Awards	Navy Cross Bronze Star

Justin D. LeHew (born in Lima, Ohio, United States in 1970) is a highly decorated United States Marine serving in the War on Terror. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on 23 and 24 March 2003 during the initial invasion of Iraq. He was also involved in the rescue operation of the U.S. Army's 507th Maintenance Company and is also a recipient of the Bronze Star with Combat distinguishing device for his heroic actions from 5 to 28 August 2004 during the Battle of Najaf.^[1][2]

Contents 1 Marine Corps career 2 Navy Cross citation 3 See also 4 References

[edit] Marine Corps career

On 23 March 2003, GySgt LeHew^[3] was an Assault Amphibian Vehicle Platoon Sergeant who was leading an armored column into the city of Nasiriyah when he was called upon to rescue the remaining soldiers of the ill-fated US Army 507th Maintenance Company led by Captain Troy King who was ambushed just hours earlier. After rescuing the soldiers he continued to press his attack into the streets of the city where during 4 vicious hours of house to house, street to street urban combat he bolstered a defensive perimeter to repel numerous waves of attackers, directed tank and infantry fires, rescued or retrieved 7 more US Marines after their vehicle was destroyed by rocket propelled grenade fire and coordinated an air medical evacuation of all wounded and dead US troops during the fight for the Southern Bridge in the city.

LeHew returned to Iraq in 2004 as a Company First Sergeant for Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and distinguished himself in combat once again during the battle of Najaf from 5 to 28 August, 2004 earning the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device for his heroic actions against the Mahdi Army of Moqtada al-Sadr.

He is currently the Battalion Sergeant Major of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion located at Camp Pendleton, California.

[edit] Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Navy Cross
To
Justin D. Lehew
Gunnery Sergeant, United States Marine Corps

For Services as Set Forth in the Following Citation:

For extraordinary heroism as Amphibious Assault Platoon Sergeant, Company A, c, Task Force Tarawa, I Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 23 and 24 March 2003. As Regimental Combat Team 2 attacked north towards An Nasiriyah, Iraq, lead elements of the Battalion came under heavy enemy fire. When the beleaguered United States Army 507th Maintenance Company convoy was spotted in the distance, Gunnery Sergeant Lehew and his crew were dispatched to rescue the soldiers. Under constant enemy fire, he led the rescue team to the soldiers. With total disregard for his own welfare, he assisted the evacuation effort of four soldiers, two of whom were critically wounded. While still receiving enemy fire, he climbed back into his vehicle and immediately began suppressing enemy infantry. During the subsequent company attack on the eastern bridge over the Euphrates River, Gunnery Sergeant Lehew continuously exposed himself to withering enemy fire during the three-hour urban firefight. His courageous battlefield presence inspired his Marines to fight a determined foe and allowed him to position his platoon's heavy machine guns to repel numerous waves of attackers. In the midst of the battle, an Amphibious Assault Vehicle was destroyed, killing or wounding all its occupants. Gunnery Sergeant Lehew immediately moved to recover the nine Marines. He again exposed himself to a barrage of fire as he worked for nearly an hour recovering casualties from the wreckage. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Gunnery Sergeant Lehew reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.^[1]

[edit] See also

[edit] References