Corporal receives Silver Star for selfless heroism on front lines

Marine Corps News ^ | Lance Cpl. Paul D. Zellner, USMC

[SandRat]

4/10/2009 By Byline Lance Cpl. Paul D. Zellner, Unit Marine Corps Bases Japan

Dateline CAMP SCHWAB, OKINAWA, Japan — Page Content

CAMP SCHWAB, OKINAWA, Japan — The day started like any other day in Eastern Afghanistan, moderate temperature, sunny; hardly a cloud in the sky.

But for three Marines, a platoon of Afghan National soldiers and a platoon of soldiers from the U.S. Army's 173rd Airborne, July 13 would turn to bloodshed, sacrifice and one Marine's tale of heroism.

The U.S. - Afghan team was attacked by more than 200 enemy forces firing small-arms and rocket-propelled grenades.

Many members of the team became disorganized and discouraged facing the overwhelming odds.

Cpl. Jason Jones, one of three Marines embedded with the two platoons of soldiers, seized the initiative and began firing his weapon at the enemy while encouraging and guiding his comrades to organize a counter attack.

Jones' actions grew bolder as casualties mounted and the firefight intensified.

He sprinted across the terrain under heavy enemy fire to a wounded Afghan soldier and pulled him to safety as rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire exploded around them. But the fight was not over. Members of the U.S. Army platoon were pinned down.

"We got a call on the radio saying 'we're dying, we're dying and I'm the last one left,'" said Jones, the 24 year-old native of San Angelo, Texas. "I figured we needed to do something about it."

With bullets still flying, Jones again crossed 130 meters of fire-swept ground wielding a M-240B machine gun. Jones, with fire support from other members of the team, suppressed the attackers long enough to allow him to reach the wounded soldiers and provide life-saving aid.

For his valor, heroism and bravery under fire, Jones was awarded the Silver Star, the third highest decoration a U.S. service member can receive.

Jones is a four-year veteran of the Marine Corps. He graduated from Grape Creek High School, class of 2003, in San Angelo. He works in the logistics field with Headquarters and Service Company, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.

However, while in Afghanistan, Jones was serving a 10-month auxiliary billet as a mentor to the Afghan National Army while attached to Embedded Training Team 5-3.

According to Jones, he developed a bond with his Afghan and U.S. Army counterparts - a bond that was tested under fire and survived through resolve.

"Whether it's a Marine, sailor, or soldier, you can only hear suffering for so long before you have to do something about it," said Jones.

Jones said he took it upon himself to do exactly what Marines are taught - lead from the front.

It is easy to say Jones' actions saved lives that day, but they may have had another lasting effect.

"His actions built confidence and motivation in the Afghan National Army," said Sgt. Maj. Samuel Schmidt the sergeant major of 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. "He was essentially a catalyst in changing the tide of the battle."

Though his actions are looked at as heroic by some, Jones was a bit more humble in describing his actions following an awards ceremony on Camp Schwab April 2 where Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, pinned on his Silver Star.

"We were just taking care of business," Jones said. "A firefight that big opens your eyes to what war is really like. I wouldn't call myself a hero. The real heroes are the ones that gave their (lives) - and I'm wearing this medal for them."

[SandRat]

Photo at source

[stylin19a]

psssst ! over here !

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

And Obama has done what????

[SandRat]

SILVER STAR - U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, center, accompanied by Sgt. Maj. Samuel Schmidt, pins the Silver Star Medal on Cpl. Jason Jones, a logistics and combat service support specialist, during an awards ceremony on Camp Schwab, Okinana, Japan, April 2, 2009. Jones received the medal for his actions during a firefight in eastern Afghanistan. Zilmer is commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force and Schmidt is the sergeant major of the 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. U.S. Marine photo by Lance Cpl. Thomas W. Provost

[GILTN1stborn]

awesome-thank you for that post

[A.A. Cunningham]

Cpl. Jason Jones pictured here, earned the Silver Star Medal for his actions during a firefight in which he went above and beyond the call of duty while attached to Embedded Training Team 5-3 in Afghanistan. 4/2/2009 4:48:00 PM Photo by Lance Cpl. Paul D. Zellner Marine Corps Bases Japan CAMP SCHWAB, OKINAWA, Japan

[ASOC]

When you are down & out
and the gomers are in the wire
When things look lost, if you are lucky
A Marine will be there.

Glad to see we still have real men in the Corps.

Thanks for posting Sandrat....

[freema]

OK, this ‘boy’ can come for dinner anytime ; )

[2111USMC]

Well done Corporal!

(Bet he won’t be a Corporal too much longer.)

[Marine_Uncle]

Get the skillet out ma.

[PogySailor]

Bravo Zulu Cpl. Jones!

[Broker]

Congratulations to the Corporal Jason Jones, USMC!!!

So glad this war-witness survived.

[CanadianYankee]

Congrats Cpl. Jones!!!

Semper Fi!!!

Thanks for posting SandRat!

[Tunehead54]

True American Hero Bump!

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:-)