Posted on 07/01/2005 10:23:28 AM PDT by A.A. Cunningham
Scout Sniper honored with Silver Star
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification #: 200563011057
Story by Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (June 30, 2005) -- Under enemy fire for 12 hours at a time with rounds landing inches from his head, sniper Sgt. John E. Place volleyed with such a lethal response, insurgents wouldn't poke their head out their windows.
"He neutralized so many insurgents that Iraqi broadcasters in Iraq pleaded the public to watch for snipers," said Maj. Gen. Richard F. Natonski commanding general of the 1st Marine Division.
For his exploits in operation Iraqi Freedom II, Maj. Gen. Natonski pinned Place's left breast pocket with a Silver Star June 23 -- the third highest military award given for combat heroism.
"It's hard to believe an individual would have such an impact on a country," Natonski said.
Place, 22, said he was just trying to be the best Marine that he could be.
He also said being a sniper isn't about the numbers you get, it's about the dedication - this job isn't fun.
"The events from Iraq frequently play in my head - but I try to focus on the positive," said Place, who looks up to snipers like Carlos Hathcock as inspiration.
"It takes desire to do this difficult job. Long hours go into being a sniper - some of the hours run into your personal life," said Place.
Place, from St. Louis, and former team leader with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, used a corpsman to fill in for a downed Marine.
"As a sniper you need a spotter to do your job correctly. My first spotter got shot in his hand, then one of the corpsman stepped up and took position as spotter - he did great things," said Place.
Place also did great things, according to his Silver Star award citation.
On various occasions, Place carried out his Marine Corps missions.
While conducting a key-leader ride-along March 18, two insurgents attacked his convoy. He immediately located and destroyed their position, which enabled the convoy to proceed unharmed.
During a security patrol March 26, Place encountered two more insurgents and neutralized their position.
Just two weeks later, with another company, he engaged and eliminated enemy forces while under intense enemy fire.
From April 11 through 24, Place's keen observation ensured his supported rifle company maintained a lethal, long-range response to enemy attacks.
During an ambush April 26, enemy forces attacked a company patrol 400 meters away from friendly lines. Disregarding his own safety, Place left the cover of his defensive position to close with and destroy the enemy.
"We are blessed to have him in our Corps today. He was 2/1 Echo Company's guardian angel," Natonski reiterated.
Place said it was challenging during his deployment but his parents Lynn and Richard Place, his brother Richard H. Place, and the St. Louis community kept him going by sending him care packages.
"Now that he's a Marine, the bigger brother role isn't there anymore, he's (a) professional," Richard H. Place said.
After the ceremony, Place freely answered all of the media's questions."It's great to be recognized but there are guys still out there doing heroics - even the good men that just died," said Place, referring to the Marines that made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq.
Place is currently assigned to 1st Marine Division Schools as a Marksmanship Training Unit instructor and has until Oct. 9 to determine if he will re-enlist.
"I haven't decided yet, but if I do stay - for sure I'm going back to Iraq," Place said.
PhotoID: 2005630113132
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Caption:
Maj. Gen Richard F. Natonski congratulates sniper Sgt. John E. Place after presenting him with a Silver Star -- the nation's third highest medal awarded for combat heroism.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis.
Salute!
Hoo Rah! A real-life Bob Lee Swagger!
That's one hell of a forecast - "today's weather, scattered snipers with a 100% chance of dying. Stay tuned for the traffic report..."
The Marines are smart to reassign him as an instructor! Let's hope he re-ups. A real hero.
BUMP!!!
I would strongly advise him to change his name, however, should he re-enlist and go back to Iraq...
The enemy now has his photo, in addition to his name.
This one obviously did.....
Good point. I was so impressed by the story that I missed that.
Eat those shorts, you Liberal socialist!
God Bless our soldiers and keep them safe always!
Gunny Hathcock passed away a few years ago; he suffered for years from burns related to an heroic rescue during his second tour in Vietnam. All of us in the shooting community miss Carlos, and we're overjoyed to see his legacy continue in a new generation.
Caption that photo:
"Say, General, I'll trade you this medal for five minutes alone with Dick Durbin."
Gunny Hathcock, the greatest Marine sniper ever, ping!
The VC and NVA knew who Hathcock, Mawhinney, Kugler, Filyaw, Gularte, Suttles, Westphal, et al, were. Their notoriety with the enemy didn't stop them from being effective.
His death was caused by complications due to multiple sclerosis (sp?). He was medically discharged from the Marines just a few months shy of 20 years on 100% disability.
He never wanted to be anything but a Marine. Even thoughf his retirement would have only brought him 50%, Gunny Hathcock STILL wanted to stay with the Corps as long as they would have him.
Exactly. The enemy knew who Hathcock and his merry band of men were, and it *still* didn't help them - to their decidedly unpleasant surprise.
This is one on the bounce Marine! All Marines learn to shoot good some just shoot better. Great job.
In a better world there would be a Hollywood movie about this guy already in the making...
And a Scout/Sniper nod to William Deane Hawkins-- what a performance on Tarawa.
Hathcock was featured in a recent "America's First Freedom" (NRA mag) along with an account of his unparalelled "through-the-scope-into-the-eye" kill of a NV sniper who had been sent to "collect" Hathcock's signature white feather.
I believe that incredible shot was the inspriation for the sniper v. sniper scene in "Saving Private Ryan" where the German sniper meets with the same fate.
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