A photo we should all copy

[Bluejacket]

I just received this from a friend. Some of you may have seen it, but if not, you should.

[robinb]

We have that one on the office door at work.

[Dave]

And another photo that we have at work... Sgt Maj Kasal... What have you done for him lately?

[Brig]

both fantastic pictures

 

SgtMaj Kasal is a warlord. Shows that this generation does not lack its heroes, though I'm sure he'd argue he was just doing what any self-respecting Marine would do!

[Ricardo]

Hi,

 

Some comments about Navy Cross SGT. Kasal:

 

After Iwo Jima, Admiral Nimitz described the heroism exhibited by the Marines in his famous quote, “where uncommon valor was a common virtue.”

 

That virtue still exists in today’s Marines. As evidence, let me take you to Fallujah in 2004, when a dozen insurgents ambushed a squad of Marines during house clearing operations, injuring four of them. Sgt. Maj. Kasal (at the time a 1st Sgt) and several others ran toward the firefight and entered the building amid the confusion. Kasal grabbed one of the wounded to pull him out of the line of fire, and was hit several times. Because they were pinned down and both men now had life-threatening wounds, Kasal gave his medical supplies to the other Marine to save his life. In his words, “It made more sense to use all of the bandages on one of us than to split the supplies and have us both bleed to death.” (Defend America)

 

Then came the grenade. Kasal rolled on top of the other Marine, shielding him with his own body and taking approximately 40 shrapnel wounds in the process.

 

Eventually, the two Marines were pulled out, and the insurgents eliminated. One Marine died and a dozen more were injured in the fight. Kasal had been shot seven times, absorbed a grenade, and lost 60 percent of his blood - but he survived. He received a Navy Cross for his actions.

 

Fallujah is better now. It is safer and more prosperous thanks to the day-to-day heroism and sacrifices of Sgt. Maj. Kasal and countless others like him.

 

“It is good to be reminded that there are such men, that there always have been and always will be. We sometimes forget, I think, that you can manufacture weapons, and you can purchase ammunition, but you can’t buy valor and you can’t pull heroes off an assembly line.” (quote by Sgt. John Ellery in “D-Day” by Stephen Ambrose)

 

Sgt. Maj. Kasal is one of those men. He is our hero of the week.

 

 

Marine shot SEVEN TIMES! (Free Republic)

 

 

Best regards,

 

Ricardo.

[Brig]

the house in question has come to be known as 'Hell House' among us Marines. Another Marine Corporal was also awarded the Navy Cross after he got out of the Corps, though I can't find his name at the moment.

 

SgtMaj Kasal's Navy Cross Citation:

For extraordinary heroism while serving as First Sergeant, Weapons Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 13 November 2004. First Sergeant Kasal was assisting 1st Section, Combined Anti-Armor Platoon as they provided a traveling over watch for 3d Platoon when he heard a large volume of fire erupt to his immediate front, shortly followed by Marines rapidly exiting a structure. When First Sergeant Kasal learned that Marines were pinned down inside the house by an unknown number of enemy personnel, he joined a squad making entry to clear the structure and rescue the Marines inside. He made entry into the first room, immediately encountering and eliminating an enemy insurgent, as he spotted a wounded Marine in the next room. While moving towards the wounded Marine, First Sergeant Kasal and another Marine came under heavy rifle fire from an elevated enemy firing position and were both severely wounded in the legs, immobilizing them. When insurgents threw grenades in an attempt to eliminate the wounded Marines, he rolled on top of his fellow Marine and absorbed the shrapnel with his own body. When First Sergeant Kasal was offered medical attention and extraction, he refused until the other Marines were given medical attention. Although severely wounded himself, he shouted encouragement to his fellow Marines as they continued to clear the structure. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, First Sergeant Kasal reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

[Brig]

another pic. A Marine EOD Gunny took an IED blast, injuring his legs. He refused to be carried out, but walked instead, flipping the middle finger at the desert and, presumably, the trigger man of the IED

[Andrei]

another pic. A Marine EOD Gunny took an IED blast, injuring his legs. He refused to be carried out, but walked instead, flipping the middle finger at the desert and, presumably, the trigger man of the IED

Yeah, nice pic ! Up yours bastard !

[Bugme]

All Right, it worked, I'm all choked up now! These are the REAL hero's that our kid's should be seeing!