Hero receives Silver Star for bravery

Hero receives Silver Star for bravery
Submitted by: MCB Camp Lejeune
Story Identification #: 2004819103545
Story by Pfc. Lucian Friel

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (August 6, 2004) -- The scars on his arms were reminders of the sacrifice he made to save his fellow Marines lives amiss combat in Iraq, earning him the Marine Corps' third highest award.

Gunnery Sgt. Timothy P. Haney, 39, a native of Clearfield, Pa., received the Silver Star Medal in a ceremony at the base theater August 6.

The medal, designated solely for heroism in combat, was awarded to Haney for his distinct bravery and fearlessness in action against enemy forces as platoon sergeant of the Combined Anti-Armor Platoon, Weapons Company, 2d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Task Force Tarawa, I Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 20 to April 3, 2003. During this period his leadership, personal sacrifice and calming influence enabled his platoon to repeatedly engage and defeat enemy forces in close combat.

From March 23 to 26, while conducting missions to destroy enemy tanks and other heavy armored vehicles, Haney's platoon participated in firefights with Iraqi Military and Paramilitary forces in An Nasariyah, Iraq, during which his personal example, while under fire, set the tone for the platoon's tactical success.

During one direct fire engagement against a heavy machine gun, he dismounted his vehicle to gain awareness of the enemy's positions, exposing himself to enemy fire and providing higher headquarters with vital situational awareness.

On March 26, 2003, as the battalion's Main Command Operations Center came under attack from two directions, Haney raced through intense fire placing Marines in defensive positions and directing their fire. An explosion riddled Haney's body with 60 pieces of shrapnel as he began preparing wounded Marines for evacuation. Ignoring his wounds he continued transporting injured Marines to the Battalion Aid Station, refusing medical attention until everyone else had been treated.

"You just act sometimes. You simply remember the drills and muscle memory takes over your body," he said. "I did what every Marine in 2/8 would have done if they were in my position. They're all just as deserving of this medal as I am."

Haney's wife Jackie and son Robert, 12, were on hand to watch their Marine receive the medal, which was originally established in 1918 as the Citation Star. In 1932, the Silver Star was redesigned as a medal with a retroactive provision allowing servicemembers as far back as the Spanish-American War (1898) to receive it for gallant actions.

"I'm very proud of my dad today, he's an American hero and he's my hero," said Robert.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (August 6, 2004) -- Gunnery Sergeant Timothy P. Haney, a 39-year-old, Clearfield, Pa. native and platoon sergeant for Combined Anti-Armor Team, 2d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, recieves the Silver Star Medal from Maj. Gen. Stephen T. Johnson, 2d Marine Division commanding general in a ceremony at the Base Theater. Haney was awarded this, one of the Corps' top decorations, for conspicuous gallantry during Operation Iraqi Freedom II when he was wounded by shrapnel and put his Marines ahead of himself to ensure their safety. Photo by: Pfc. Lucian Friel

An explosion riddled Haney's body with 60 pieces of shrapnel as he began preparing wounded Marines for evacuation.

Not a single piece of rice, either.

1 posted on 08/20/2004 2:56:11 PM PDT by A.A. Cunningham

PRESENT ARMS!

Well done Marine! Brave men such as yourself are the backbone of the Marines.

2 posted on 08/20/2004 2:59:46 PM PDT by taxcontrol (People are entitled to their opinion - no matter how wrong it is.)

Is this the same metal eff'n got for shooting the kid in the back?

3 posted on 08/20/2004 2:59:59 PM PDT by evad (You cannot start with a false premise and arrive at a valid conclusion)

Is this the same metal eff'n got for shooting the kid in the back?

4 posted on 08/20/2004 3:00:33 PM PDT by evad (You cannot start with a false premise and arrive at a valid conclusion)

No disrespect intended for the brave marine..
he deserved his.

5 posted on 08/20/2004 3:01:53 PM PDT by evad (You cannot start with a false premise and arrive at a valid conclusion)

I thank this brave Marine for his service.
God bless our armed forces!

6 posted on 08/20/2004 3:02:50 PM PDT by MEG33 (John Kerry has been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security)

God Bless you Marine and many thanks for your service to America!

7 posted on 08/20/2004 4:24:12 PM PDT by maxwellp (Throw the U.N. in the garbage where it belongs.)

God Bless you, Gunny!

And may God Bless the Marine Corps.

8 posted on 08/20/2004 4:34:47 PM PDT by USMC79to83

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