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#1
10 November 2006, 15:30
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Lance Corporal Jason L. Dunham
Marine Corps News
First Long War Marine to receive Medal of Honor Nov. 10, 2006; Submitted on: 11/10/2006 02:12:24 PM ; Story ID#: 20061110141224 By Staff Sgt. Scott Dunn, Headquarters Marine Corps Quantico, VA (Nov. 10, 2006) -- A corporal who died shielding men in his care from a bursting grenade deserves America’s highest military decoration, President Bush has confirmed (http://www.mcnews.info/mcnewsinfo/moh/). Actions by Cpl. Jason L. Dunham, who would have turned 25 today, merit the Medal of Honor, Bush said at the National Museum of the Marine Corps’ dedication ceremony, which coincided with the 231st Marine Corps anniversary. On April 14, 2004, in Iraq near the Syrian border, the corporal used his helmet and his body to smother an exploding Mills Bomb let loose by a raging insurgent whom Dunham and two other Marines tried to subdue. The explosion dazed and wounded Lance Cpl. William Hampton and Pfc. Kelly Miller. The insurgent stood up after the blast and was immediately killed by Marine small-arms fire. Dunham lay face down with a shard the size of a dress-shirt button lodged in his head. The hard, molded mesh that was his Kevlar helmet was now scattered yards around into clods and shredded fabric. Dunham never regained consciousness and died eight days later at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., with his mother and father at his bedside. Dunham’s commanding officers from 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, investigated his actions and nominated him for the Medal of Honor. After two years and seven months making its way to the White House, the nomination now has the necessary approval from the president. Next, the president will present the medal and citation to the Dunhams. Hoping the president would make the Medal of Honor announcement on their son’s birthday, Dan and Debra Dunham drove to Quantico from their home in Scio, N.Y. Dunham is buried in Scio. Before Dunham, the last Marine actions to earn the medal happened May 8, 1970, in Vietnam, according to Marine Corps History Division records. A Medal of Honor citation details Lance Cpl. Miguel Keith’s machine-gun charge that inspired a platoon facing nearly overwhelming odds: Wounded, Keith ran into “fire-swept terrain.” Wounded again by a grenade, he still attacked, taking out enemies in the forward rush. Keith fought until mortally wounded; his platoon came out on top despite being heavily outnumbered. The last Marine to receive the Medal of Honor was Maj. Gen. James L. Day, who distinguished himself as a corporal in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. On Jan. 20, 1998, more than half a century later, President Bill Clinton presented the medal to Day. He passed away that year. Since the Long War began, the president has presented one Medal of Honor. On April 4, 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith posthumously earned the medal for organizing a defense that held off a company-sized attack on more than 100 vulnerable coalition soldiers. In the defense, Smith manned a .50 caliber machine gun in an exposed position until he was mortally wounded
__________________
"To the last I grapple with thee; from hell's heart I stab at thee, for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee" Melville / Captain Ahab 
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#2
10 November 2006, 15:55
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One hell of a man, I'm glad his folks were on hand. Rest in peace.
__________________
...when in doubt...over prime.
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#3
10 November 2006, 17:25
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The world is a lesser place with the loss of men like Cpl. Dunham.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).” RIP
__________________
Make Peace or Die 1/5 “Tyranny is defined as that which is legal for the government but illegal for the citizenry.” ― Thomas Jefferson
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#4
11 November 2006, 12:10
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Commitment
Semper fi.
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#5
11 November 2006, 13:59
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God bless Marine. Prayers for his family.
__________________
"You may be younger and faster but I will still knock you smooth the F**K OUT if you do that again"-HMCS H. (DAD) Blunt force and penetrating trauma are very educational tools-ME :D There's only 2 ways to change someones mind about you, setting them on fire or slapping the shit out of them-Marcus Luttrell
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#6
11 November 2006, 18:03
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God Bless Cpl. Jason L. Dunham and all those who were close to him. His courage is incredible.
__________________
Get Better Every Day! Success depends on the functioning of the glands -- sweat glands. --Coach Dan “Lake” Staffieri 1925-2010
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#7
12 November 2006, 18:16
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Last Year, I read the book The Gift of Valor by Michaeal Phillips http://www.randomhouse.com/broadway/giftofvalor/
and I recommend it to all. It is a truly moving story. His sacrifice shall not be forgotten. RIP Marine.
__________________
"A University is a group of buildings gathered around a library." - Shelby Foote "Damn a man who doesn't read books" (Mulholland, 2000, p. 32).
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#9
14 November 2006, 14:17
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Unbelievable. Can you imagine the courage and valor needed to make that split-second decision; overcomming all natural human instinct?
Rest in Peace warrior. You are counted amongst the greatest who have sacrificed so that others may live.
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#10
14 November 2006, 14:55
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Quote:
For taking the chance, he deserves this accolade and anything else we can think of....
__________________
Losing faith in humanity, one assclown at a time....
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#11
23 November 2006, 04:47
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RIP
__________________
Sgt Kuhns and Spc Kinslow KIA June 13 2005 and Spc Martinez KIA March 20 2005 Ramadi Iraq. I rode with them I have no complaints. God put your feet facing forward and your eyes in the front of your head. He expects you to drive the fuck on.
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#14
26 December 2006, 18:16
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Glad to see that the courage and honor of men of this caliber is still being reported:
http://townhall.com/columnists/JeffE...medal_of_honor
__________________
Make Peace or Die 1/5 “Tyranny is defined as that which is legal for the government but illegal for the citizenry.” ― Thomas Jefferson
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#15
4 January 2007, 20:16
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I sit here in awe at the reports of valor, that never seem to be at the forefront of the liberal media. We will see results of carbombs every day, and the 'numbers' of soldiers/marines/airmen that lay their lives down, but NEVER enough coverage pertaining to warriors like CPL Dunham. May God receive this Marine, to stand point over the gates of heaven.
The world is a lesser place without his boots on the ground Steve
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