Cozad Marine honored for valor

Omaha WORLD-HERALD ^ | August 21, 2009 | BY HENRY J. CORDES

[US Navy Vet]

In the heat of an ambush in Afghanistan's most lawless province, a 19-year-old Nebraskan jumped in front of a grenade to shield other Marines in his platoon.

Richard Weinmaster was critically wounded by the blast. But the bloodied Cozad native stayed in the fight, firing his machine gun at the enemy position until he collapsed from his wounds.

Looking back at the July 8, 2008, engagement, Weinmaster says he was “just doing my job.''

But his bosses in the Marine Corps — and the Secretary of the Navy — felt otherwise. Advertising

On Thursday, they awarded the now 20-year-old Weinmaster with the Navy Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor for recognition of bravery in combat.

[US Navy Vet]

This one will make you SO PROUD of our BRAVE Young Marines that it will bring tears to your eyes!

[Fractal Trader]

Personally, I think his behavior was so admirable that I think he should have gotten a Medal of Honor — fall on a grenade, survive, and fighting until he passed out.

[Kolb]

That is one outstanding Marine!

[HokieMom]

[Know et al]

Personally, I think his behavior was so admirable that I think he should have gotten a Medal of Honor — fall on a grenade, survive, and fighting until he passed out.

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I agree.

[Redleg Duke]

Yeah, but he isn't black, so it doesn't count!

I hope that a sarcasm tag isn't necessary! He is a fine American and deserving of a high decoration. It is too damned bad that his CiC is a sniveling coward!

[HokieMom]

Exactly. He is one incredible Marine. The Marine I know tries not to think about who the CiC is nowadays.

[jbp1]

I agree with some other posts here. We will never know now, but had he been a Marine of color, I’d bet that the Coward oops I mean Kommandur in Cheef would have pushed for a MOH.

[Dubya]

[Dubya]

Cozad Marine honored Cpl. Richard S. Weinmaster smiles as he is congratulated by a Marine after Thursday’s ceremony where he was awarded the Navy Cross for valor.
US MARINE CORPS Photo.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Caption is incorrect. Cozad is a Lance Corporal not a Corporal.

Weinmaster's family, including parents Jim and Karen Weinmaster of Cozad, were on hand at the Marine Corps base in Twentynine Palms, Calif., for the presentation of the medal and Weinmaster's promotion to lance corporal.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Cozad(sic) is a Lance Corporal not a Corporal.

Correction: Weinmaster is a Lance Corporal, not a Corporal.

[ASOC]

The Cpl is a MAN.

A Warrior

and above all, a US Marine

I just know his folks are bust’n out proud right now....

[Edgewood Pilot]

LCPL Weinmaster embodies the best of America.