[jigsaw]

Bless you Brian Chontosh.

And thank you!

[Bahbah]

A great post for a great American. Bless you and thank you, Brian. We are forever grateful.

[exnavy]

It's great to hear about real war heros, Well done Brian. WE LOVE YOU MARINE!!!

[drq]

btt

[LOC1]

Seems like this would make a great movie.......but that would mean that Hollywood would have to.....never mind.

[jwalsh07]

I try not to curse like my former truck driving soldier self since I am now a Grandpa who takes his grandkids to church every Sunday but my reaction to this story is thus:

Effin A Brian Chontosh!

[Constitution Day]

MEGA-BUMP!! Great post!

[astounded]

Seems to me that this action warrants the Congressional Medal of Honor not the Navy Cross. Has a CMH been awarded for any actions in Afghanistan or Iraq at this time?

[A.A. Cunningham]

Rochester, N.Y. Marine, receives Navy Cross
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification Number: 200456162723
Story by Cpl. Jeremy Vought

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(May 6, 2004) -- Marine Capt. Brian R. Chontosh received the Navy Cross Medal from the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, during an awards ceremony Thursday at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Training Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Three other Marines received medals for valor at the same ceremony.

Marine Capt. Brian R. Chontosh received the Navy Cross Medal from the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, during an awards ceremony Thursday at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Training Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Photo by: Cpl. Jeremy Vought

Chontosh, 29, from Rochester, N.Y. , received the naval service's second highest award for extraordinary heroism while serving as Combined Anti-Armor Platoon Commander, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom March 25, 2003. The Medal of Honor is the highest military award.

While leading his platoon north on Highway 1 toward Ad Diwaniyah, Chontosh's platoon moved into a coordinated ambush of mortars, rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapons fire. With coalitions tanks blocking the road ahead, he realized his platoon was caught in a kill zone.

He had his driver move the vehicle through a breach along his flank, where he was immediately taken under fire from an entrenched machine gun. Without hesitation, Chontosh ordered the driver to advanced directly at the enemy position enabling his .50 caliber machine gunner to silence the enemy.

He then directed his driver into the enemy trench, where he exited his vehicle and began to clear the trench with an M16A2 service rifle and 9 millimeter pistol. His ammunition depleted, Chontosh, with complete disregard for his safety, twice picked up discarded enemy rifles and continued his ferocious attack.

When a Marine following him found an enemy rocket propelled grenade launcher, Chontosh used it to destroy yet another group of enemy soldiers.

When his audacious attack ended, he had cleared over 200 meters of the enemy trench, killing more than 20 enemy soldiers and wounding several others.

"They are the reflection of the Marine Corps type who's service to the Marine Corps and country is held above their own safety and lives," said Gen. Hagee, commenting on the four Marines who received medals during the ceremony. "I'm proud to be here awarding the second highest and third highest awards for bravery to these great Marines."

"These four Marines are a reflection of every Marine and sailor in this great battalion," said Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada.

"I was just doing my job, I did the same thing every other Marine would have done, it was just a passion and love for my Marines, the experience put a lot into perspective," said Chontosh.

In effect since April 1917, and established by an Act of Congress on Feb. 4, 1919, the Navy Cross may be awarded to any person who, while serving with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguishes himself/herself in action by extraordinary heroism not justifying an award of the Medal of Honor.

The action must take place under one of three circumstances: while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

To earn a Navy Cross the act to be commended must be performed in the presence of great danger or at great personal risk and must be performed in such a manner as to render the individual highly conspicuous among others of equal grade, rate, experience, or position of responsibility.

More than 6,000 Navy Crosses have been awarded since World War I.

Marinelink

[ChromeDome]

Sometimes I wonder whether I'm worthy to be protected by men such as this Marine.

[Blueflag]

hooah!

[jdege]

And Brian Chontosh gave the order to attack.

Generally speaking, when you're being ambushed, your best choice is to immediately pick a direction and then attack.

It may be that you've not picked the best direction, but odds are it's better than staying where you are.

(Which is what bothered me so much about the French column at the beginning of "We Were Soldiers" - they just stood there and fired back.)

Every once in a while you get lucky, roll up the entire ambush, and win medals. More often you pick the wrong direction, or there is no right direction, and you get killed.

In my eyes, the bravery is the same.

Medals are fine, but for everyone who gets one, there are a dozen who earned one and didn't get it.

[csvset]

Devil Dog bump.

[fnord]

OOHRAH!

[Valin]

The odd fact about the American media in this war is that it’s not covering the American military. The most plugged-in nation in the world is receiving virtually no true information about what its warriors are doing.

From a Marine in Iraq. What you can do to help.
Hugh Hewitt .com 5/3/04 1st Lt. Robert L. Nofsinger USMC
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1129115/posts

"Hello Everyone,

I am taking time to ask you all for your help.

First off, I'd like to say that this is not a political message. I'm not concerned about domestic politics right now. We have much bigger things to deal with, and we need your help.

It seems that despite the tremendous and heroic efforts of the men and women serving here in Iraq to bring much needed peace and stability to this region, we are losing the war of perception with the media and American people. Our enemy has learned that the key to defeating the mighty American military is by swaying public opinion at home and abroad. We are a people that cherish the democratic system of government and therefore hold the will of the people in the highest regard. We love to criticize ourselves almost to an endless degree, because we care what others think. Our enemies see this as a weakness and are trying to exploit it.

When we ask ourselves questions like, "Why do they hate us?" or "What did we do wrong?" we are playing into our enemies' hands. Our natural tendency to question ourselves is being used against us to undermine our effort to do good in the world. How far would we have gotten if after the surprise attacks on December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor, we would have asked, "Why do the Japanese hate us so much?" or "How can we change ourselves so that they won't do that again?" Here in Iraq the enemy is trying very hard to portray our efforts as failing and fruitless. They kill innocents and desecrate their bodies in hopes that the people back home will lose the will to fight for liberty. They are betting on our perceived weakness as a thoughtful, considerate people. Unfortunately our media only serves to further their cause.

In an industry that feeds on ratings and bad news, a failure in Iraq would be a goldmine. When our so-called "trusted" American media takes a quote from an Iraqi doctor as the gospel truth over that of the men and women that are daily fighting to protect the right to freedom of press, you know something is wrong. That doctor claimed that out of 600 Iraqis, that were casualties of the fighting, the vast majority of them were women, children and the elderly. This is totally absurd. In the history of man, no one has spent more time and effort, often to the detriment of our own mission, to be more discriminate in our targeting of the enemy than the American military. The Marines and Soldiers serving in Iraq have gone through extensive training in order to limit the amount of innocent casualties and collateral damage.

Yet, despite all of this, our media consistently sides with those who openly lie and directly challenge the honor of our brave heroes fighting for liberty and peace. What we have to remember is that peace is not defined as an absence of war. It is the presence of liberty, stability, and prosperity. In the face of the horrendous tyranny of the former Iraqi regime, the only way true peace was able to come to this region was through force. That is what the American Revolution was all about. Have we forgotten? Freedom is not free and "peace" without principle is not peace. The peace that so-called "peace advocates" support can only be brought to Iraq through the military. And we are doing it, if only the world will let us! If the American people believe we are failing, even if we are not, then we will ultimately fail.

That is why I am asking for your support. Become a voice of truth in your community. Wherever you are fight the lies of the enemy. Don't buy into the pessimism and apathy that says, "It's hopeless," "They hate us too much," "That part of the world is just too messed up," "It's our fault anyway," "We're to blame," and so forth. Whether you're in middle school, working at a 9-5 job, retired, or a stay-at-home mom you can make a huge difference! There is nothing more powerful than the truth. So, when you watch the news and see doomsday predictions and spiteful opinions on our efforts over here, you can refute them by knowing that we are doing a tremendous amount of good. Spread the word. No one is poised to make such an amazing contribution to the everyday lives of Iraqis and the rest of the Arab world than the American Armed Forces. By making this a place where liberty can finally grow, we are making the whole world safer. Your efforts at home are directly tied to our success. You are the soldiers at home fighting the war of perception. So I'm asking you as a fellow fighting man: Do your duty. Stop the attempts of the enemy wherever you are. You are a mighty force for good, because truth is on your side. Together we will win this fight and ensure a better world for the future.

God Bless and Semper Fidelis, 1st Lt. Robert L. Nofsinger USMC Ramadi, Iraq "

[Valin]

Gotta LOVE IT!

[Valin]

Gotta LOVE it!

[StarCMC]

Thank God for Brian Chontosh and others like him!

[Valin]

Gotta LOVE it!

[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

---

:

[Khurkris]

Well Done Troop!