Marine Corporal Receives Bronze Star Medal from Wolfowitz (heavy, moving graphic)

defenselink.mil ^ | June 1, 2004 | Cpl. Brian Buckwalter

[risk]

Marine Corporal Receives Bronze Star Medal from Wolfowitz

By Cpl. Brian Buckwalter, USMC
Special to American Forces Press Service
[See original article for more pictures and government biographies.]

ARLINGTON, Va., June 1, 2004 -- The bronze image of World War II heroes raising the American flag at Iwo Jima provided the backdrop for a ceremony here today honoring a modern-day hero.

Marine Cpl. James Wright, who received the Bronze Star Medal with valor device from Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, salutes during the national anthem at the June 1 presentation ceremony in front of the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Va. Wright lost both hands and suffered severe damage to his leg when his vehicle was struck by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade in Iraq's Anbar province. Despite his wounds, Wright continued to lead the Marines in his charge. Photo by Cpl. Richard Stephens, USMC
(Click photo for screen-resolution image); high-resolution image available.

Marine Cpl. James Wright received the Bronze Star with valor device from Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz in front of the United States Marine Corps War Memorial for his actions during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Marine Gen. William L. Nyland, assistant Marine Corps commandant, and Marine Barracks 8th & I Sergeant Major, Marine Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, assisted Wolfowitz with the presentation.

Also in attendance were seven Iraqis who, under Saddam Hussein's regime, had their hands amputated for dealing in foreign currency. They were fitted with prosthetic hands and are in the United States for medical treatment.

One of the men, with the aid of a translator, spoke on behalf of the group.

"We will never forget those who have sacrificed their limbs and those who have died and given us their blood," said Basim al-Fadhly. "And we will always remain grateful for all you have given to us."

Wright's patrol was in the Anbar province of Iraq when it came under attack. According to the award citation, "he immediately engaged the enemy with his squad automatic weapon, continuing to fire until his vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade."

Wright lost both of his hands and sustained severe damage to his leg because of the RPG, but remained calm and continued to give orders to his Marines to call for support and on how to render first aid. According to the citation, "He also pointed out enemy machine gun emplacements … assisting in the demise of 26 enemies killed in action."

It was all a part of his job, said Wright, who served as the assistant team leader with Company B, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

Wolfowitz compared Wright to those who served 60 years ago, honored over the Memorial Day weekend with the dedication of the National World War II Memorial.

"This past weekend, the country once again paid fitting tribute to that 'Greatest Generation' that saved this country and the world from the menace of Nazism in World War II. Corporal Wright and his comrades are every bit as great as that 'Greatest Generation,'" Wolfowitz said.

"I never expected anything of this magnitude," said Wright. "I'm flattered that the Marine Corps would go this far to present me with this award, but I really didn't expect it."

(Marine Cpl. Bryan Buckwalter is assigned to Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall.)

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jun2004/n06012004_200406012.html

[XJarhead]

"Old breed? New breed? There's not a damn bit of difference so long as it's the Marine breed" -- Chesty Puller.

He lost both of his hands, part of his leg, and he still says "its just part of the job". I wish I could buy that young corporal a beer.

Semper Fi, Corporal Wright.

[stylin19a]

EGA bump.

Semper Fi, Cpl. Wright

[Snoopers-868th]

I want to know if this deserving guy will have his hands replaced with the cutting-edge bionics just like the three from Iraq. Free of charge by the Dr's and prothesis company. No Vets Administration stuff. If our country can do it for Iraq they can do it for this hero!!

[tet68]

I just cannot believe I was one of them.

Semper Fi!

You were and are, just like me, what we earned can never be taken away.


Semper Fi!

[dcwusmc]

tet, you got that EXACTLY right........ Semper fi, bro.
Neil... family ping. Maybe John can find where he fits into our tribe. What a great young Marine!

[VOA]

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0751174/awards

I hope all works out of this fellow. I can't help think of Harold Russell...the returned
soldier (sailor?) who came home without his hands in "The Best Years of Our Lives"
(and in real life).

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

The idea that any generation is greater than another is poppycock. Every generation produces men of great valor and those of whom we ought to be ashamed.

I am truly proud of Cpl. Wright and honored that he is in the service of our country.

Salutes to you corporal.

[Tennessee_Bob]

One of my co-workers is over there now - Lance Corporal C (withholding the full name for obvious reasons). He's in 2nd BN, 2D, Marine Weapons Company, deployed in and around Fallujah. He enlisted before it all kicked off and went in two months early when the Corps asked him to. One of the young women at work got a call from him today - she passed along the following message from him:

"...says that he is doing ok, and he hasn't been shot at for the past three days. He has been sleeping in the back of a truck or a humvee since he has been there. So it is not easy for him or the others who are there. Please take a few moments of you time and write him a little note of appreciation."

God love 'em all.

[RaceBannon]

You tell that Young Marine he is making us all proud!!

And if we ever meet, the first steak is on us!

[RaceBannon]

They need to do away with the VA and instead issue orders that their medical care is provided by normal hospitals and the bill sent to Uncle Sam.

There is no need fo a goverenment hospital in today's world.

If they can bill Social Security or medicare, they can bill some paper chaser and call it the VA.

[PGalt]

BTTT

[Robert Lomax]

I can't fight back the tears when I see this hardcharger who nearly gave it all. I love Marines.

[COBOL2Java]

Words come to mind when I read this story and see this young Marine:

valor

1. The qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle); "he showed great heroism in battle"; "he received a medal for valor"
2. Strength of mind in regard to danger; that quality which enables a man to encounter danger with firmness; personal bravery; courage; prowess; intrepidity.
3. A brave man; a man of valor.

honor

1. Principled uprightness of character; personal integrity.
2. A code of integrity, dignity, and pride, chiefly among men, that was maintained in some societies, as in feudal Europe, by force of arms.

courage

1. The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.
2. That quality of mind which enables one to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear, or fainting of heart; valor; boldness; resolution.

[af_vet_1981]

Marine Cpl. James Wright is an American hero.

[Snoopers-868th]

I don't have a problem with the VA but I believe we owe our Vets cutting edge health care and so often it is not at the Vet hospitals. I am not sure if the military is used to staff them or not--if not it should be as I know many good Dr's that have gone into the military.

In any case, my point is that if Dr's can give free-of-charge their time and a prothesis outfit can donate prothesis to Iraqi's then I expect these same Dr's and prothesis outfit to "donate" their time and cutting edge prothesis to this hero.

I am tired of hearing about these Dr's that take the patients from afar at no charge and fix their problems while Americans are left to find their own financing for such things.

Are these Dr's Arabs or some other "special minority" giving to their own or what?

I hope this guy gets the best at no cost to him or we taxpayers!! Let the good deeds of these do-gooders happen in our own country for American citizens.

[opbuzz]

And to think, I knew a special forces LtCol who got a bronze star for being the admin officer!

Semper Fi Cpl Wright, you've done us proud!

[cibco]

And J F'N Kerry got not only 3 PH's, A bronze star and silver star, He didn't lose any blood. Then came back to disparage the ones left fighting. Then proceeded to call them Hun's.

[Chieftain]

I just watched this HERO salute President Reagan's casket on FOXNEWS Brit Hume show at 6:00 PM Thursday June 10.

Cpl. Wright, you are an AMERICAN HERO and SUPERB MARINE!

This ole retired Gunny is havin' a hard time to see the screen through these tears of PRIDE!

Anybody that can vidcap this HERO please post it on this thread or PING me!

Semper Fidelis

[Chieftain]

I just watched this HERO salute President Reagan's casket on FOXNEWS Brit Hume show at 6:00 PM Thursday June 10.

Cpl. Wright, you are an AMERICAN HERO and SUPERB MARINE!

This ole retired Gunny is havin' a hard time to see the screen through these tears of PRIDE!

Anybody that can vidcap this HERO please post it on this thread or PING me!

This is the post of the vidcap I am referring to here

Semper Fidelis

[Southack]

I love this patriot!