Justin LeHew

Justin D. LeHew
Nickname	"The Hero of Nasiriyah"[5]
Born	1970 (age 41–42) Columbus Grove, Ohio
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Rank	Sergeant Major
Unit	3rd Marine Regiment
Battles/wars	Iraq War Bosnia-Herzegovina Operation Desert Storm
Awards	Navy Cross Bronze Star W/V Meritorious Service Medal

Justin D. LeHew (born in Columbus Grove, 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 2003 invasion of Iraq. He was hand picked to spearhead the rescue operation and recovery of the U.S. Army's 507th Maintenance Company on 23 March and subsequently was called upon again to take part in the rescue operation of US Army Private Jessica Lynch on 1 April 2003. He is also a recipient of the Bronze Star W/V for his actions from 5 to August 28, 2004 during the Battle of Najaf.^[1][2]

Contents 1 Marine Corps career 2 Navy Cross citation 3 Bronze Star with Combat V Citation 4 See also 5 References

Marine Corps career

Justin D. LeHew was born January 2, 1970 in Columbus Grove, Ohio and enlisted in the Marine Corps July 11, 1988. After graduating recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, Private First Class LeHew reported to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California for training as an Assault Amphibian Crewman.

Upon completion of school in January 1989, Private First Class LeHew received orders to report to Company A, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and deployed with Company A in the spring of 1989 to Okinawa before moving to H&S Company in the fall of the same year to deploy with UNITAS 31 throughout South America.

Upon returning from South America, Lance Corporal LeHew immediately deployed to Southwest Asia with the battalion in January 1991 and participated in Operation Desert Storm.

After returning to the states in July 1991, Corporal LeHew transferred to Company C for service as an Assault Amphibian Vehicle Crew Chief. He then deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit as a Section Leader in April 1993 and participated in Operation Provide Promise and Operation Deny Flight in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In January 1994, Sergeant LeHew received orders back to Camp Pendleton for duty as an instructor at the Assault Amphibian School.

From January 1994 to October 1996, Sergeant LeHew served in a variety of billets at the school ranging from Crew Chief, Class Commander, Platoon Sergeant and Classroom Instructor and was named Instructor of the Year for two consecutive years at the school. He also attended the Basic Vehicle Repairman Course during this time and received a secondary military occupational specialty as an AAV mechanic.

In October 1996, Sergeant LeHew graduated Drill Instructor School at MCRD San Diego and reported to Company G, 2nd Recruit Training Bn, where he served as Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and Academics Instructor.

From January 2000 to October 2002, Gunnery Sergeant LeHew returned to Camp LeJeune for duty as a Platoon Sergeant with Company D, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion.

In October 2002, Gunnery Sergeant LeHew transferred to Company A for service as Platoon Sergeant for 3rd platoon and deployed in January 2003 to Operation Iraqi Freedom with Regimental Combat Team 2 and Task Force Tarawa. On March 23, 2003, Gunnery Sergeant 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 the attack continued 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 Saddam Fedayeen 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. Gunnery Sergeant LeHew was also later involved in the rescue and recovery operation of US Army Private Jessica Lynch from the hospital in Nasiriya.

In June 2003, Gunnery Sergeant LeHew received orders to transfer once again back to Camp Pendleton for service with Company A, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion as Company Operations Chief. In January 2004, First Sergeant LeHew reported for duty as Company First Sergeant, Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines (1/4) and immediately deployed in May 2004 with BLT 1/4 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. He distinguished himself in combat once again during the battle of Najaf from 5 to August 28, 2004 earning the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device for his heroic actions against the Mahdi Army of Moqtada al-Sadr.

First Sergeant LeHew transferred to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion upon return to CONUS and served as both Company A and Company D First Sergeant simultaneously for a two year period in addition to reactivating 1st Force Reconnaissance Company. Upon promotion to Sergeant Major in the fall of 2007, Sergeant Major LeHew was personally requested by the division to remain on as the Battalion Sergeant Major and deploy the Battalion once again to Iraq for combat operations. Sergeant Major LeHew transferred from the Battalion upon return to CONUS in March 2010 and was assigned to the Assault Amphibian School. Sergeant Major LeHew transferred from the Assault Amphibian School in April 2011 and is currently assigned as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 3rd Marine Regiment in Kaneohe Bay Hawaii.

Sergeant Major LeHew is also an accomplished and highly requested motivational and leadership speaker in both the military and civilian sector.^[4]

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]

Bronze Star with Combat V Citation

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Bronze Star
To
Justin D. Lehew
First Sergeant, United States Marine Corps

For Services as Set Forth in the Following Citation:

For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy as Company First Sergeant, Company C, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), I Marine Expeditionary Force from 5 to 27 August 2004, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II. While defending against a Mahdi Militia attack on Iraqi security forces, the Company came under intense mortar, rocket, sniper, and machine-gun fire at Revolutionary Square, in the heart of Najaf, Iraq. First Sergeant LeHew fearlessly moved about the battlefield to points of contact. On three occasions, he directed the fires of vehicle-mounted weapons against enemy snipers and militia attempting to penetrate the rear lines of the Company. For six hours, he repeatedly moved back and forth under heavy sniper fire and mortar attack, ensuring safety and inspiring Marines. During heavy fighting in the Najaf cemetery, he moved to assist in the treatment and evacuation of nine wounded Marines and three killed in action. His timely decision-making made the difference between life and death for two of these Marines. Throughout this 22-day battle, his decisive leadership and courage against a determined foe inspired the Marines under his charge and led the Battalion's assault deep into enemy territory. By his zealous initiative, courageous actions, and exceptional dedication to duty, First Sergeant LeHew reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.

See also

• List of U.S. Marines

References

   5. ^Dodd, LtCol Matthew USMC (August 6,2004). "The hero of Nasiriyah" Third in a series - Defense Watch  

Persondata
Name	Lehew, Justin
Alternative names
Short description	United States Marine
Date of birth	1970
Place of birth	Columbus Grove, Ohio
Date of death
Place of death