Posted on 05/08/2004 12:05:34 AM PDT by concentric circles
A 29-year-old Marine from upstate New York received the Navy's second highest award Thursday for charging into enemy trenches during an ambush in Iraq and continuing his attack after depleting his ammunition.
Marine Capt. Brian R. Chontosh, of Rochester, N.Y., received the Navy Cross Medal in a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Training Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif. The Navy Cross is second only to the Congressional Medal of Honor.
"I was just doing my job," said Chontosh, who is married and expecting his first child. "I did the same thing every other Marine would have done."
On March 25, 2003, five days into the war, Chontosh led his platoon toward Ad Diwaniyah when the troops came under an ambush of enemy mortars, rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapons, Marine officials said.
Chontosh directed his driver into a hail of machine gun fire. His machine gunner returned fire.
Then Chontosh ordered the driver into the enemy trench, where he left the vehicle and depleted the ammunition in his service rifle and pistol. He twice picked up discarded enemy rifles and continued his attack, finally firing an enemy rocket propelled grenade launcher.
In the end, Chontosh killed more than 20 enemy soldiers and wounded several others.
"We're very excited and very proud, obviously very proud of all the young men and women over there and everybody over there," said his father, Rick Chontosh, who flew to San Diego with his wife to attend the ceremony.
Brian Chontosh served with the Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force based in Twentynine Palms.
More than 6,000 soldiers have been awarded Navy Cross Medals since World War I.
While traveling north on Highway 1, his platoon came under an ambush of mortars, rocket propelled grenades, and automatic weapons fire. Lt. Chontosh realized he was caught in a "kill zone."
Here are excerpts from the letter:
"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, 1st Lt. Chontosh ordered the driver to advance 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 M1A2 service rifle and a 9 millimeter pistol. His ammunition depleted, 1st Lt. 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, 1st Lt. 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.
"By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, 1st Lt. Chontosh reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."
Respectful 82d. "HOOOOO-PHOOOKIN'-AH"
One question- given that infantry types tape their dogtags together to reduce noise during patrol type operations... what the hell is he going wrap those big brass thingies with, so they don't clang?
Rock on, my jar-headed friends.
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, California.
Sounds just like something the Hero Kerry would say.
....only, not.
Hail to Free Republic! Here truth!
There. Got that off of my chest.
Which is why you richly deserve this recognition!
Hooo ah, Marine! Carry on.
Medal citations are generally not a place to find examples of understatement. This may be the exception.
We should all be proud of this young Jarhead, and thankful that our military continues to build on the courage and character of our sons and daughters.
Archibald Henderson and Presley O'Bannon, et al, would be ancestors. Brian R. Chontosh is a descendant.
... wondered if it's true that MOH is only awarded to someone KIA nowadays.
We certainly must not detract from the action of the individual (I know you did not!) but your comment about the training is appropos.
I have two friends who were awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award, and two others who were awarded the Navy Cross.
The award of the MofH to Gen (then LtCol) Raymond G Davis USMC was for action during the Chosin campaign in Korea, during which he lead his battalion (1stBn 7Mar) to what may have been a battle and position that saved the entire 1st Marine Division.
The award of the MofH to LtCol (then SSgt) Archie VanWinkle, again in Korea (CoB 1stBn 7thMar) but prior to the Chosin campaign, was for his sustained action, in spite of his wounds, in leading, directing and encouraging his men and holding his position against an overwhelming enemy.
The Navy Cross to GySgt Quinton T Barlow (2dBn 5thMar) was for similar action in Korea as that of LtCol VanWinkle; that to GySgt Bird (I knew him while in the 2ndBn 7thMar, Vietnam but the action for which he won the NC was for a prior period) was action similar in nature to that of this fine officer, Capt (then 1stLt) Chontosh.
There is a fine line between what heroic action(s) determines the eventual award. In the USMC there is a lengthy process of evaluation and deliberation. These would include at minimum the recommendation of a superior officer (who might not have been the initial recommender), statements of witnesses, the context of the battle and the determinations of a board of officers convened for the specific purpose of evaluation of the action and recommendation of the appropriate award.
In the case of the Medal of Honor, the determination is made by the President; in that of the Navy Cross, by the Secretary of the Navy.
It is my personal observation that the actions which led to the awards given to each of these heroes were not contemplated beforehand. The continuous training and discipline compels them to actions that put themselves in extreme danger, and without regard for their own safety, they battle and direct others to battle with a view to victory over an armed enemy and the salvation of as many of their comrades as possible.
I have lost touch with GySgt Bird and am unaware of his present state. The other three have now past into eternity, but thankfully, none of them were given their awards posthumously.
It is good to keep in mind that many others have conducted themselves in an exemplary manner during combat actions and deserved high honors but for one reason or another did not receive an award. It may be that the serviceman or woman you meet on the street or in a social setting is one of these. I urge you to salute each one and give thanks.
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