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

[risk]

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.

"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.

"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."

Marine Cpl. James Wright received the Bronze Star with valor device from Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz.

[Vigilantcitizen]

Courage.

[Bahbah]

Cpl. James Wright. What a man!

[risk]

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free -- Ronald Reagan

[Logic n' Reason]

"Contemplate the mangled bodies of your countrymen, and then say, 'What should be the reward of such sacrifices?' Bid us and our posterity bow the knee, supplicate the friendship, and plough, and sow, and reap, to glut the avarice of the men who have let loose on us the dogs of war to riot in our blood and hunt us from the face of the earth?

If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms.

Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!"

--Samuel Adams

A salute for you, James Wright, and for your parents. You've done us proud. We all would offer to help you, but I have a feeling you're going to be just fine.

Thank you.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Those of who watched the Memorial Day Concert on PBS may remembering seeing Corporal Wright in attendance.

Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz presents Marine Cpl. James Wright with the Bronze Star Medal with valor device at a June 1 ceremony at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Va. Flanking Wright and assisting Wolfowitz with the presentation are Marine Gen. William Nyland, assistant Marine Corps commandant, and Marine Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia, Marine Corps Barracks Washington sergeant major. Photo by Cpl. Richard Stevens, USMC

[Logic n' Reason]

BTTT

[risk]

The memorial services and ceremonies said only one thing to me again and again: there shall be no mercy for those who would take the peace away from us that these men have earned. None at all.

[steplock]

The story of an EARNED Bronze Star Medal by a man in service where Uncommon Valor is a Common Virtue.

It takes much more than a mere presence to win a Bronze Star in the Marine Corps.

USMC
1969-1981

[RaceBannon]

I just cannot believe I was one of them.

Semper Fi!

[rbmillerjr]

Makes me proud to be an American and proud of this young Marine.

All the way Airborne.

[RAY]

Thanks for touching post. I am totally awed by the actions of such men as Corporal Wright!

[MudPuppy]

Ditto ~
"I just cannot believe I was one of them. "

Semper Fi!

[RAY]

Thanks for touching post. I am totally awed by the actions of such men as Corporal Wright!

[ErnBatavia]

Thanks for the Ping, Race....Semper Fi.

[risk]

Let it always be said of Americans when they fight, as British Colonel Frederick Baum said of John Stark's men at Burgoyne: "They fought more like hell-hounds than soldiers."

Baum died afterward.

[dd5339]

Thanks for the ping race....

Semper Fi

[alpha-8-25-02]

IN FULL AGREEMENT!
SEMPER FI! DEVIL DOG!

[Vic3O3]

Semper Fi, Marine!

Makes me proud to know I married one of 'em.
Makes me proud to know the Marines still have such men in their ranks!

[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.