Lance corporal describes events leading to Purple Heart

Marine Corps News ^ | Nov 18, 2005 | Lance Cpl. Matthew K. Hacker

[SandRat]

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Nov. 18, 2005) -- Just because a Marine is not in an infantry unit, does not mean he will not be attached to a combat patrol and be forced to depend on his training and instincts to survive. This was the case for Lance Cpl. Chris L. Wliszczak.

Wliszczak was augmented from Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, and attached to Small Craft Company, Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, when he deployed to Iraq in March 2005.

This Allentown, Pa., native did not think he would see much combat in Iraq being a nuclear, biological and chemical specialist, but to his surprise he experienced combat at an extremely close range.

During the hot summer months of 2005, Small Craft Company set up Vehicle Checkpoints at random locations outside Ramadi, Iraq. Wliszczak was the humvee gunner and sat atop the only vehicle at the VCP.

As Wliszczak stood in his gun turret, he watched the vehicles being checked through the gate. When each vehicle pulled up the Marine standing at the gate would check their identification. On one particular day things changed as one vehicle pulled up and the Marine asked the two men inside for their identification, they did not have any.

The Marine asked the men to exit the vehicle and stand outside. When the same Marine turned around to radio the staff sergeant to ask what to do, the men took off running. Being the only vehicle at the VCP, Wliszczak’s humvee roared after them.

The two men ran around the corner and down a canal road, according to Wliszczak.

“Naturally, we went after them,” Wliszczak added. “After we turned the corner I saw them jump into the ditch off the side of the road.”

Because of the proximity of non-hostile elements surrounding them, Wliszczak could not use his M240G medium machine gun in the turret. He had to resort to a smaller, but also effective weapon.

“I immediately pulled out my nine-millimeter pistol and opened fire. I clipped one of them, but the other one seemed to disappear.”

Then, from out of nowhere, the second gunman popped up right next to the vehicle and pointed his handgun at Wliszczak’s face.

Instinctively, Wliszczak swung the turret shield around right before the weapon fired. Luckily, he was not shot in the face, but the bullet hit the strike plate and fragmented into his hand.

“After he fired and missed, the man ran away again and threw a grenade at our vehicle,” said Wliszczak. “When the grenade [exploded], I immediately opened fire with my [machine gun]. I finally got him.”

After the firefight, the vehicle drove Wliszczak to Camp Blue Diamond where his hand was stitched up and bandaged.

“My hand didn’t really hurt at the time,” Wliszczak said. “I was too angry and there was so much adrenaline pumping through my body, I didn’t even care.”

Although he experienced severe bleeding to his hand, two days after his injury Wliszczak was back on his next, eagerly awaited patrol.

After returning to Camp Lejeune in September 2005, Wliszczak was presented the Purple Heart Medal by his battalion commander, Lt. Col. John R. Gambrino, during an awards ceremony Nov. 10.

“Being injured didn’t affect the way I do my job or the way I feel about the Marine Corps,” said Wliszczak. “If anything, it showed me the importance of the training we receive as Marines. It will save your life ... literally.”

[SandRat]

MARINE PING!

[Meadow Muffin]

A Marine is a Marine is a Marine, no matter the job. We have all been trained to use the skills when needed. He was doing his job....and he did a damn fine job at that.

oooHHHH RRAAaahh

[JRandomFreeper]

All of the Marines I've worked with in the JTF world would have been gritching about having to do pushups and pull-ups one-handed until the hand healed.

/john

[E.G.C.]

BTTT