Lucky I had a camera on my phone...

[ussfpa]

While getting ready for the repatriation ceremony this morning for the remains of 8 service members previously MIA in North Korea, I had the pleasure of talking to a gentleman whose humility and good ole' boy attitutde was truley refreshing.
This gentleman retired here in HAwaii in 1972 from the Marine Corps, I have cut and pasted his citation below:

KELLOGG, ALLAN JAY, JR.

Rank and organization: Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps (then S/Sgt.), Company G, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Quang Nam province, Republic of Vietnam, 11 March 1970. Entered service at: Bridgeport, Conn. Born: 1 October 1943, Bethel, Conn.

Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a platoon sergeant with Company G, in connection with combat operations against the enemy on the night of 11 March 1970. Under the leadership of G/Sgt. Kellogg, a small unit from Company G was evacuating a fallen comrade when the unit came under a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior enemy force occupying well-concealed emplacements in the surrounding jungle. During the ensuing fierce engagement, an enemy soldier managed to maneuver through the dense foliage to a position near the marines, and hurled a hand grenade into their midst which glanced off the chest of G/Sgt. Kellogg. Quick to act, he forced the grenade into the mud in which he was standing, threw himself over the lethal weapon and absorbed the full effects of its detonation with his body thereby preventing serious injury or possible death to several of his fellow marines. Although suffering multiple injuries to his chest and his right shoulder and arm, G/Sgt. Kellogg resolutely continued to direct the efforts of his men until all were able to maneuver to the relative safety of the company perimeter. By his heroic and decisive action in risking his life to save the lives of his comrades, G/Sgt. Kellogg reflected the highest credit upon himself and upheld the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service

Fetchin HOOAH...

Primum non Nocere

[CPTAUSRET]

Nice:

Terry

[SGTROCK]

Joe,great citation and great picture.Thank you for sharing that.
Get some GYSGT Kellog....SEMPER FI!!!!

ROCK

[Sneaky SF Dude]

Now that's a MAN.

[Bravo_One_Three]

That Marine addressed my NCO School Graduation.

Semper Fi Gunny!

[Sneaky SF Dude]

Must have been a helluva speech. Jumping on a grenade - damn!

[Gypsy]

Truly awesome ussfpa.

And a somber welcome home to the former MIA Soldiers repatriated today.

Great post on so many levels. Thanks, ussfpa.

And thank you, sir, for your unbelievable service to this country.

[myclearcreek]

Thank you, Mr. Kellogg, for your outstanding service! You are a credit to yourself, our nation, and a fine example for us all.

Rhonda

Edit - Thank you, ussfpa, for continuing to do an important job very well.

Hey Joe-

Thanks for bringing our boys home.


Gunny Kellogg. S/F

[RIT_MEDIC]

Sir:

Thank you for your work in bringing our soldiers home after a long TOD.

Gunny...S/F


James D

[Alex F]

I hate to sound like a dumbass but which medal was he awarded for his bravery?

[brewmonkey]

Originally posted by Alex F
I hate to sound like a dumbass but which medal was he awarded for his bravery?

The Medal of Honor that is hanging around his neck.

[Alex F]

Ahh!!! The way it's shown it looks like a shirt sticking out.. hard to see the medal as well without it being pointed out.

I still can't believe what he did. What an innately brave action. You can't teach that; that comes from the heart. I am humbled each time I read his citation.

I didn't say this the first time, but thank you, ussfpa--your job is appreciated.

~p.p.

[Sneaky SF Dude]

Originally posted by Alex F
I hate to sound like a dumbass but which medal was he awarded for his bravery?

RECON MAN!

Dang Joe, you do actually have a uniform that looks decent...and still the Gunney looks purtier than you.

Alex...blue ribbon around the neck...make the leap... :D

[Cass]

Outstanding Photo of two great men. I am with gratitude to both.

I blew up the MOH. Sorry I could not do better:

[C-M-R]

Quick to act, he forced the grenade into the mud in which he was standing, threw himself over the lethal weapon.

That wasn't just quick acting it was quick thinking too. Throwing yourself on the grenade is big thing but having the presence of mind to push it down in the mud which would help take the edge off impact. There's a lot to be said for a man who thinks fast. Good job!

Good job to you too USSFPA for getting those eight men home.

[GackMan]

Originally posted by Alex F
I hate to sound like a dumbass but which medal was he awarded for his bravery?

the one a person usually gets for jumping on a grenade.

that man has balls of solid stone.

[RipperTOW]

I remember when he retired a few years ago, a Sergeant Major at the time. I think at the time he was the last active Marine with the CMH.

[Bravo_One_Three]

Originally posted by RipperTOW
I remember when he retired a few years ago, a Sergeant Major at the time. I think at the time he was the last active Marine with the CMH.

Yep, He was the Brigade SgtMaj. for 1st MEB in K-Bay.

[Alex F]

Originally posted by Sneaky SF Dude
RECON MAN!

I've been working on my Kim's games all day in penance....