Posted on 05/02/2006 9:13:19 AM PDT by Loud Mime
CAMP PENDLETON - He was shot seven times. Then 40 pieces of super-heated shrapnel melted into his flesh.
And at three different moments, in nanoseconds laced with adrenaline, confusion, sweat and blood, Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Bradley Kasal took account of his life.
Then he decided it would be OK if he died.
His decision earned him the Navy Cross on Monday.
--snip--
Now, after having suffered seven gunshots, Kasal decided to again put his life at risk.
He would use all of the available field dressings to help stop the bleeding of a gunshot wound suffered by a fellow Marine. He decided not to use any of the dressings for himself and instead "bleed out." It just made sense that one of them should survive.
Finally, the insurgent, knowing the injured Marines had no way out, lobbed a grenade into the room. Kasal saw the grenade, and using his own body as a shield, leapt onto his fellow Marine as the grenade exploded.
--snip--
You are an inspiration to every Marine," Maj. Gen. Michael Lehnert said to Kasal. Lehnert told the audience of more than 100 that the term "hero" is thrown around loosely in popular society.
But make no mistake he said, Kasal was the real thing.
"Marines past, present and future owe you a debt of gratitude."
Kasal said the most challenging aspect of the ordeal wasn't the 22 surgeries he endured or even fighting the opinions of doctors who suggested he should have his leg amputated.
Instead Kasal said the real pain was knowing the battle would go on without him.
(Excerpt) Read more at ocregister.com ...
Still holding his 9mm Beretta, a seriously injured First Sgt. Brad Kasal is helped from a Fallujah house on Nov. 13, 2004, after killing several Iraqi insurgents and with his own body shielding a fellow Marine from a grenade blast.
My god.. he took 7 bullets and a grenade blast and still got through it all, recovered, and was able to walk up to get his medal??
This man takes a lot of killing...
I think about this often: What would I do under the same circumstances? What if I am faced with such a choice or series of choices either on or off a battlefield? Would I be a hero or a heel? I know I would rather become a hero, but would I have the necessary courage? I sat at a First Communion Mass on Sunday and looked around and thought about how lucky we are to live in country that allows freedom of worship. But I also thought about the Christians being tortured and killed around the world and wondered if I would have their courage. Luckily, most of us never have to face these challenges and for that we should be thankful.
Thank you to the armed forces of America!
Not me. I know others have.
He IS the real thing.
There's a third Marine, by the way, who I hope is under consideration. He did just that - around two years ago. For the life of me, I can't recall his name.
I'm sure a CMH must be in the works.
(And for what it's worth I'm calling my congressman right now to make sure.)
Definitely nothing short of heroism, deserves nothing but the highest respect and praise.
Wow! I seem to recall that in this fight he ran from a small closet or hallway under fire into the main room to pull a buddy back - which then left him exposed to the main room (probably accounts for the numerous bullet wounds).
I may be totally wrong, but I believe that brave Marine was Hispanic and from California. I also believe he was awarded U.S. citizenship posthumously. The Marine Corp. website had his story and may still have it up.
Magnificent men, these US Marines!
America could never have become what she is without men like them, and like him.
I'm calling my congressman today too. MOH is worthy of such a man and his acts.
This Marine must be awarded the medal of honor. What he did is nothing short of the most heroic. What he is, is nothing short of a hell of a Marine.
"The insurgents are oppressing normal people, Kasal said. The press never reports the good things. When we open a school or fix a sewer, the things that make normal Iraqis happy, they never report it. There are plenty of Iraqis, thousands of them, who want to live normal lives. If we can help them it will be all right. The people just want peace and freedom."
No. Kerry got his medal for executing a wounded soldier.
Sounds like the same wound a friend got in Korea, one bullet-four holes. May God continue to bless this Marine.
The word "Awesome" cannot say enough.
Article has been printed and it will be mandatory reading for my 12 and 8 year old sons this evening.
The selfless and courageous acts of these Marines are inspiring, and at the same time shaming. Shaming of the fat, lazy, complaining, whining, self-obsessed folks who seem to be increasing as a percentage of the population.
No - his first name may have been Jason...he was manning a checkpoint and a suicide bomber strolled amongst his group and he spotted him, and jumped him just as he set himself off, apparently knowing he was already "ignited". He was a Lance Corporal or Corporal.
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