Posted on 03/27/2009 5:34:26 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo
A 21-year-old Eagan man who helped his fellow Marines fight their way out of an ambush in southern Afghanistan despite a serious leg injury received the Navy Cross on Friday, the highest award a Marine is eligible to receive aside from the Medal of Honor.
Lance Cpl. Brady A. Gustafson, a machine gunner, was deployed with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines — the "hardest hit battalion in the Corps" last year, according to the Marine Corps News. At least 20 of the battalion's Marines and sailors were killed in combat in 2008.
On July 21, the battalion, based in Twentynine Palms, Calif., had been in the town of Shewan in the Farah province of southwestern Afghanistan, where Marines have attempted to contain a Taliban resurgence and train police.
Gustafson's citation from the Secretary of the Navy indicates his squad was ambushed from multiple sides by rocket-propelled grenades and machine gun fire.
A rocket-propelled grenade pierced Gustafson's heavily-armored vehicle and a neighboring vehicle. Despite suffering a "severe traumatic injury to his right leg," Gustafson scrambled to his gun turret and fired several hundred rounds, allowing the Marines behind him to exit their burning vehicle.
"Lance Corporal Gustafson braved the effects of shock and reloaded his weapon twice, firing more than 400 rounds, before he allowed himself to be pulled from the turret and receive medical treatment," reads the citation.
(Excerpt) Read more at twincities.com ...
GOD Bless all of theses young men & women who have & wiil answer our nation’s call to serve!
Whudda Stud!! Hoorah!
Eat your heart out Army - he’s a Marine!
Lance Cpl. Brady A. Gustafson, a machine gunner, was deployed with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines -- the "hardest hit battalion in the Corps" last year, according to the Marine Corps News. At least 20 of the battalion's Marines and sailors were killed in combat in 2008... his squad was ambushed from multiple sides by rocket-propelled grenades and machine gun fire. A rocket-propelled grenade pierced Gustafson's heavily-armored vehicle and a neighboring vehicle. Despite suffering a "severe traumatic injury to his right leg," Gustafson scrambled to his gun turret and fired several hundred rounds, allowing the Marines behind him to exit their burning vehicle. "Lance Corporal Gustafson braved the effects of shock and reloaded his weapon twice, firing more than 400 rounds, before he allowed himself to be pulled from the turret and receive medical treatment," reads the citation.Bravo!
FRWN Ping...
OOHRAA
Semper Fi
thanks for posting. glad I checked 1st.
kudos to him
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.