Fallen Iraq Marine Awarded Medal Of Honor

President Bush Presents Highest Military Honor To Marine Who Fell On Grenade In Iraq, Saving Comrades

(CBS/AP)  At a moving ceremony in the East Room of the White House, President Bush on Thursday made a posthumous presentation of the nation's highest award for valor to Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham. The 24-year-old lost his life two years ago in Iraq during hand-to-hand combat with an insurgent who released a hand grenade.

"Corporal Dunham did not hesitate. He jumped on the grenade, using his helmet and body to absorb the blast," Mr. Bush said.

Dunham's parents accepted the medal on their son's behalf. It's only the second time a Medal of Honor has been bestowed for an act of military gallantry in Iraq, CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller reports.

Dunham, of Scio, N.Y., saved at least two lives by acting quickly during a struggle with an insurgent near the Syrian border.

"On a dusty road in western Iraq, Corporal Dunham gave his own life so that the men under his command might live," the president said. "This morning it's my privilege to recognize Corporal Dunham's devotion to the Corps and country."

The presentation was made before a packed crowd that included Dunham's family and dozens of his fellow Marines in their dress uniforms.

Dunham's father and mother said after the ceremony that the honor should be shared with their son's fellow Marines.

"They're all courageous. It's as much theirs as it is Jason's," said Dan Dunham.

"I've lost my son, but he became a part of history," said Dunham's mother, Deb. "It still hurts as a parent, but the pride that you have from knowing he did the right thing makes it easier."

She said Jason's "second family," the Marine Corps, had done everything that could be asked, but acknowledged they still do not have what they all want most.

"I wanted him here, and I didn't have him," said Deb Dunham.

Jason Dunham grew up a popular athlete in the small town of Scio in Alleghany County, where his mother, a home economics teacher, helped teach him spelling by using different words in the basketball game of "horse."

In April 2004, Dunham, 22, received a report that a Marine convoy had been ambushed, according to a Marine Corps account. Dunham led his men to the site near Husaybah, halting a convoy of departing cars. An insurgent in one of the vehicles grabbed him by the throat when he went to search the car and the two fought.

A grenade was dropped, and Dunham covered the explosive with his Kevlar helmet, which, along with his chest armor plate, absorbed some of the blast.

He lived long enough to be transferred to a Bethesda, Md., hospital, where he died with his parents beside him.

Thursday's ceremony was attended by several congressman and senators, including Sen. John McCain, a former Vietnam prisoner of war.

McCain, R-Ariz., said the ceremony was a reminder of the "terribly heartbreaking" sacrifices made by everyday Americans in war.

The Dunhams were to meet later in the day with New York senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton, who had pressed for Dunham to be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

[agnim]

"I am Sgt in the USMC, and it just makes me sick to my stomach to here what some of the American people say about us.
Even if that means sacrificing our own life. Period

Posted by doosekpj1 at 05:56 AM : Jan 12, 2007"
Every think the reason is that you are in the wrong line of 'work'? LOL

Killing humans is NEVER a good act! So you should have been trained to appreciate that some people are going to be put off by acts of murdering another human.

Don't blame your "some American"; blame the lack of training that deceives you and fails to keep you informed about how the REAL WORLD is likely to react to the killing of fellow humans by ANYONE!

Ever heard what they say about the hangman?
'Everyone' thinks he's good to have around; but no one wants to associate with him. That is because deep down, 'everyone' can sense that killing fellow humans is not cool.

[agnim]

"Agnim-it not suicide bomber, it's homicide bomber.

Posted by janem4 at 06:57 PM : Jan 11, 2007"
You can try and do your word play. I'm focusing on the fact that this mentally-challenged guy DELIBERATELY TOOK HIS OWN LIFE. That's called suicide regardless of everything else. It's a mindless act in EVERY case!

[rharrin1]

I think there are a lot more troops need to have a medal pinned on them as there haven't been very many given out.

[jgiarla]

The Pentagram is a symbol for valor. As is the word valor. Gee. Coincidence? Athena represents war. And since you can only receive this award for acts during a conflict, it would make sense now wouldn't it. And before you babble off about how you can get it in peace-time (Julian Gouget [spelling?] for instance), it still takes a conflict to receive it. Also, you can only receive it for something you were NOT ordered to do. If you're ordered to do something, you can only receive your branche's highest award (e.g. Navy Cross). Also, the Medal of Honor is designed differently for each branch.

But none of this matters. What really matters is this young man joined an elite fraternity of some of the bravest men ever to live (and unfortunately, in most cases die). We should concentrate less on the symbology of the simple piece of brass with a ribbon that his family received and more on what it means for someone to jump on a grenade.

Who cares about what you believe. Republican, Democrat, Christian, Hindu, Confucist... none of it matters. All that matters here is love. The never dying, never ending love that this young man had for his fellow Marines. We should all be so lucky to ever come into contact with someone like that who will love us as much.

[doosekpj1]

I am Sgt in the USMC, and it just makes me sick to my stomach to here what some of the American people say about us. Please just stop. I want say to much, just asking you to support us and let us do our thing. We are a band of brothers and we will do what ever it takes for our brothers to come home safely. Even if that means sacrificing our own life. Period

[daniel1960-2009]

Some of you have absolutely NO respect!

At 24, this man did more than you some of you will ever do with your entire life! While some of you little maggots hide behind your computers spewing your 'brave' and misinformed comments on the internet, he went out and stood up for his beliefs and did so with his very life.

This man was noble in what he did and certainly deserves more than your misguided political commentary. Like the war - don't like that war...that is up to you - but don't do it here!

Preach your un-informed dribble elsewhere!

[bildooreilly]

The congressional medal of honor given to Roosevelt has the greek goddess Athena in the middle of the upside down pentagram, you can tell it's athena because she is symbolized by the owl and it has an owl on her helmet.. Is this the same owl our misleaders worship out at the bohemian grove every year???

http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/graphics/tr%20MEDAL%20OF%20HONOR.jpg

[bildooreilly]

Yes an upside down pentagram surrounded by a circle, go to a google image search for the "Medal Of Honor" even Motley Crue wants one... Now you go outside and play in your dumbed down little world with your tiny little mind and stop thinking outside the box you fool.

[plowhandle]

Upside down pentagram ?

What kind of simplistic, green-teeth Baptist piece of Republishit are you ?

Keep your stupid remarks and unfounded "Christian" fears to your self.

Open a book. Read a newspaper. Put on your pants and go outside and interact with real Americans, you loser dog.

[bildooreilly]

Nothing against the fallen soldier or his family but why does our government give an upside down pentagram as an honor? Ever think about that? These things are carefully designed, it isn't just by coincidence that it's an upside down pentagram.

[agnim]

Another version of the 'suicide bomber'.

Americans need to know that their lives are of greater value than to be foolishly sacrificed for worthless causes.

I feel pain for this family that is made to think that a piece of metal and a photo op for a warmonger who doesn't know when and how to quit a losing cause could ever be worthy substitute for precious life of their love one.

THIS SACRIFICING OF AMERICAN LIVES AND LIMBS NEED TO STOP!