Bush To Present Medal Of Honor

President Dedicates Marine Museum, Says He Will Give Highest Military Decoration To Marine Killed In 2004

(AP)  An emotional President Bush said Friday he would present the Medal of Honor — America's highest military decoration — to a Marine who died when he jumped on a grenade in Iraq and saved the lives of two comrades.

The medal will be given posthumously to Cpl. Jason Dunham of Scio, N.Y., who died on April 22, 2004, of wounds he suffered when his patrol was ambushed near the Syrian border.

"He and his men stopped a convoy of cars that were trying to make an escape," President Bush said during a speech to dedicate a new Marine museum. "As he moved to search one of the vehicles, an insurgent jumped out and grabbed the corporal by the throat."
During hand-to-hand combat with the insurgent, Dunham called out to his fellow Marines: "No, no, no. Watch his hand!"

"Moments later, an enemy grenade rolled out," the President said. "Cpl. Dunham did not hesitate. He jumped on the grenade to protect his fellow Marines. He used his helmet and his body to absorb the blast."

Friday would have been Dunham's 25th birthday. The museum dedication came on the 231st anniversary of the establishment of the Marines. Click on the Photo Gallery link to see pictures of Dunham.

"You might say that he was born to be a Marine," Mr. Bush told Dunham's mother and father, who were among an estimated 10,000 people attending the dedication of the museum. They will be presented with the award, which is voted by Congress, at the White House.

It will be the sixth Medal of Honor President Bush will have presented to troops who fought in Vietnam, World War II and Korea.

The dedication of the National Museum of the Marine Corps, located on a 135-acre site next to the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, began with the introduction of Marine Corps brass and a 21-gun salute to Mr. Bush, who walked from the building as the band played "Hail to the Chief." After the singing of the nation anthem, four F-18s streaked across a blue sky.

The design of the museum's building, which slants upward toward the clouds, reflects the famous image of five Marines and a sailor raising the American flag on Iwo Jima. The scene was captured in a Pulitzer Prize-winning picture taken by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal.

"Years from now when America looks out on a democratic Middle East, growing in freedom and prosperity, Americans will speak of the battles like Fallujah with the same awe and reverence that we now give to Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima" in World War II, President Bush said.

The museum is the centerpiece of the Marine Corps Heritage Center, which will include a memorial park, parade grounds, artifact restoration facilities and an onsite hotel and conference center. The museum, which opens to the public Monday, will focus on the Marines' contributions throughout the nation's history, immersing visitors in the sights and sounds of Marines in action.

President Bush said visitors will experience life from a Marine's perspective — what it's like to make an amphibious landing under fire, deploy from a helicopter in Vietnam or endure a grueling boot camp.

"No thanks," Mr. Bush joked.

[scabbard2]

How long can one man continue to disgrace the military? Please take your reserve status George and go home. You have proven yourself not to be not a leader...what next.???

[olebd]

Sorry George, I don't think we'll ever see true democracy in Iraq. The clerics,insurgents and neighboring countries will see to that.

I agree olebd....A beautiful idea that all people just naturally love freedom and democracy is an extreme wishful and ignorant thinking. First, every ethnic, cultural group has different understanding of what freedom is. Second, people need first their biological needs to be satisfied food, water, and safety, not democracy

[nadeau4201]

This young man died for his country and fellow Marines, and all you people can comment on is the president and what a terrible leader he is. This marine fought and died for your freedom have some respect he believed in what he was doing for his country.

[bellal-2009]

What creates a man such as this? All the goodness of America rolled up in one marine. What a beautiful, beautiful face.

[thgdriver]

ozilot & nadeau4201

I agree with you both.

He is in God's army now!

scabbard2

Take your poison to another posting, Give this young mans family a break. It does not belong on the same page as this outstanding Marine.

[mccloskey007]

HEY MAN! THANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU!..SEMPER FI...CORPSMAN

[mccloskey007]

hey man...THANKS! forget all the politics these people put into this.........you done good! God bless you!.semper fi bro...corpsman

[gramto7]

This particular Marine died to save his fellow Marines. He should be honored for that. The fact that he shouldn't have been in that place to begin with is something on which we will never get a consensus. At least let one news story be just about the person who is receiving the posthumously, not about the idiot who put us over there to begin with.

[heetseeker]

"Greater love hath no man than he should give his life for another..."

I think it is right and proper that such an extraordinary act of extreme courage, bravery & sacrifice should be recognised by President Bush... I remember this story from a couple of years back & it is quite simply astounding...

It needs to be said however that the courage of this brave young hero & his selfless sacrifice is in stark contrast with that of those who sent him to his death... when others (Bush, Cheney) had the opportunity to serve they chose deferment and made use of their contacts and status to avoid serving... Similarly, others who have served in the highest office, such as Clinton, avoided service, yet found the courage to send our troops into harms way in Somalia...

For his service this young man goes to meet his maker with the enduring love & affection of a grateful nation... Let us hope that his blood was not shed in vain...

[jn122736]

Heatseeker,

I don%u2019t disagree with your opinions about others you mention but don't you think they really should be reserved for other times.

%u201CGreater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for a friend%u201D. ..This young man did exactly that

The code of the marine core couldn%u2019t be described better. All marines, indeed all soldiers who fight and die, deserve great respect and honor.

In order to preserve the signal honor of the Medal, it must be reserved for those few who%u2019s deed or deeds are far above and beyond the call of duty. I believe this is one of those.

Your sacrifice for your fellow marines-friends came from your heart, not for any particular cause or duty.

Thanks and salutations, U.S. Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham.

[athomemom1]

I agree that the political comments don't belong here.
If you have a chance to read the book about Jason Dunham I encourage you to do so. If you can get through it with a dry eye, kudos.
What a beautiful spirit to be willing to sacrifice your life for others. How many of you Bush bashers would be willing to do that? Be truthful now!
I won't say yes or no about whether we should be in Iraq because that is a moot point, but my respect goes out to all of the men and women that serve our country. Happy Veteran's Day.

[larryandpam]

I have never done this before and probably never will again but...

I want to thank those of you who honor this young man. As the mother of a son who was there on the first day and who later returned for another year, I am extremely lucky that I have him here with me now.

Cpl. Jason Dunham proved that no matter how hard others try to take advantage of what they consider to be a weakness of ours when they choose to use these tactics or innocent women & children to draw our young men and women out into the open, that they continue to show their strength, character and values by coming to the aid of one another. These soldiers could easily back away from this type of situation and remain safe themselves and no one could blame them for it but the fact is the majority of them don't.
They maybe stationed anywhere from New Orleans to Iraq or Afghanistan and everywhere in between but no matter where they are I, for one, can only be humbled by their service and grateful that we have had a chance to know or at least know of such outstanding examples of the human race.

[larryandpam]

sorry it didn't all fit

We should all be honored that they are what this country believes in, they are the BEST of what we have to offer of our country and ourselves. Just as our athletes represent our country every 2 years at the Olympics but these brave Americans represent us every day something not many of us could say.

Please take this weekend for more then a day off and remember all of the men and women who past, present and on into the future will continue to step up to the plate when the need arises and give of themselves in many thankless ways. Let this be our opportunity to honor and thank all of them including Cpl. Dunham.

As the song says "All gave some, some gave all..." let your actions this weekend be a tribute to all of them!

[jrr4christ]

Part I:
I am a disabled Vet and this ist o all you folks who have the nerve to talk politics in response to an article about a true American Hero. I am embarressed and ashamed to call you "fellow Americans". Especially given the fact that it is Veteran's Day, a day to honor those who have made it possible for people like you to voice your opinion. I have no doubt, that neither of you ever served 1 honorable day in the US Military. I came to this country at the age of 22 and my first action here was to join the US Army, where I served honorably for over 13 years. I considered it my duty and a privelege to serve the country, that gave me a new home.

[jrr4christ]

Part II:
This isn't about whether we should be in Iraq or not. It's about those brave men and women, who risk their life each and every day, during times of peace and certainly in war. Most of them do it out of a feeling of duty and honor. They willingly show up for work, long before most people get out of bed in the morning, and they work often into the night. No matter; blistering heat or freezing cold; they leave families and loved ones behind, all because they are proud to be Americans. But words like duty, honor, country appearently are meaningless to some of you, because you never had to proof, that you posess those qualities. All I can say is: God Bless the USA and those defending her. May God bless Marine CPL Jason Dunham and his family, I hopefully get to shake your hand in heaven one day.