Something That Didn't Make The News (Story of recent Navy Cross Recipient)

Email ^ | May 7, 2004 | Bob Lonsberry

[StarCMC]

Thank God for Brian Chontosh and others like him!

[Valin]

Gotta LOVE it!

[SAMWolf]

But we don’t hear about the heroes.

The incredibly brave GIs who honorably do their duty. The ones our grandparents would have carried on their shoulders down Fifth Avenue.

The ones we completely ignore. Free Press my a$$. We have the Ministry of Disinformation for the Liberals and Democrats who use the news to push the Socialist Agenda.

[Steelerfan]

Great story that sadly you won't find anywhere else.

[Right Wing Puppy]

Quick Links




News From The Front
Depot Marine awarded Bronze Star
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification Number: 200442174714
Story by Lance Cpl. Jess Levens



MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif.(April 2, 2004) -- A Depot Marine was awarded the Bronze Star with combat "V" March 17 for courageous acts in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

First Lt. Matt Zummo, assistant series commander, Special Training Company, stood before Brig. Gen. John M. Paxton Jr., commanding general, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region, and a formation of his fellow Marines to receive his award.

"It's a great honor to get this award," said Zummo. "I don't feel like I did anything special to earn it though. I know any Marine I served with would have performed just as well in the situation."

Zummo served as the Scout Platoon commander, 2nd Tank Battalion in Iraq. The battalion was on the move, and Zummo led much of the way. He used his expertise in navigation and didn't make any wrong turns or miss any objectives.

The Marines encountered heavy fire from the enemy April 3, 2003, as they neared the town of Al Aziziyah. He continued to report enemy positions and activities until a rocket-propelled grenade hit his Humvee. Shrapnel from the blast lodged into his lower back, causing severe bleeding.

"I didn't even know I was hit until I saw the blood on my hands," said Zummo. "The corpsman looked at it and told me there was shrapnel in my back."

Zummo had to leave on a medical evacuation.

"Leaving my fellow Marines on the battlefield was the hardest thing I've had to do," said Zummo. "I didn't want to leave them."

Capt. Theodore P. Sudmeyer, commanding officer, Company A, 2nd Tank Bn., wrote in his official statement, "When I last saw Lt. Zummo, he gave up his personal (Global Positioning System) to me to replace another that had been destroyed by a sniper's bullet."

Lance Cpl. Rhett W. Rowland was the driver of Zummo's vehicle and reported that even after his injuries, Zummo refused to leave the fight. He wrote, "Lt Zummo's actions during combat in the town of Al Aziziyah were unselfish, calm, collected, extremely brave, extremely courageous and always with honor."

After Zummo returned to the U.S., he was assigned to STC here.

"I just did what any Marine would do," said Zummo. "That is to accomplish the mission no matter what."

-30-




Photos included with story:


Depot Commanding General Brig. Gen John M. Paxton Jr., pins the Bronze Star with combat "V" on 1st Lt. Matt Zummo, assistant series commander, Special Training Company. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Jess Levens

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[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you, jigsaw!

God bless Marine Capt. Brian R. Chontosh, and his three brave fellow Marine heroes!

              

8 Houston Marine receives Navy Cross ~ Pfc. Joseph B. Perez ~ Marine Link | 5/06/04 | Cpl. Luis Agostini

[Valin]

I want to know what's going on in the war, bad as well as good. But what gets me is all most people get is the bad, ok fine but could they throw me a bone once in awhile?
I mean say 5 bad stories one good, 5 to 1, I don't think I'm being unreasonable here.

The thing that amazes me is the support for what we are doing in Iraq remains so high.

[SAMWolf]

I want to know what's going on in the war, bad as well as good

So do I ,but you rarely hear any "good" stories in the main stream press. If all you haeard from was the main media you'd think the war was lost and our forces totally destroyed.

[Khurkris]

Well Done Troop!

[Wu]

I agree.

[TankerKC]

I see a lot of empty space in tag lines on FR. Why not put them to good use. Honor a fallen or decorated patriot.

Roadside bomb, rocket kill two Fort Lewis soldiers in Iraq (Family Friend)

[windchime]

Bump!

[American_Centurion]

The media may not give him any attention, but through his courage and tenacity he has earned himself a revered title no rewriting of history can remove. Semper Fi!

[Valin]

You mean it's not?

/worldclass sarcasm

[GrandEagle]

Great post! Thanks.

[SAMWolf]

You haven't been paying attention, have you?. ;-)

[Tallguy]

Has a CMH been awarded for any actions in Afghanistan or Iraq at this time?

there was that Navy Seal who was killed while manning a SAW on the tailgait of a CH-47 in Afghanistan -- you might remember they got zapped by an RPG & he fell out of the jinking helo, and was killed fighting of the Taliban militiamen. Took a bunch with him.

That's the only CMOH that I recall offhand.

[not2worry]

I thank God for men like Marine Chontosh.

Pray for all our Troops to be given the power to prevail over evil and return safely home to the arms of their loved ones.

[not2worry]

I thank God for men like Marine Chontosh.

Pray for all our Troops to be given the power to prevail over evil and return safely home to the arms of their loved ones.