Pentagon survivor takes part in Operation Enduring Freedom
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 20021126191720
Story by Sgt. John Sayas
KARSHI KHANABAD, Uzbekistan -- Sgt. Charles E. Diamond had thoughts of getting out of the Marine Corps after four years of honorable service to his country following his tour of duty at the Pentagon more than a year ago. Diamond had been put on terminal leave as he reached the end of his enlistment following the terrorist attacks, but later changed his mind because of it.
Diamond planned on working with the Marines at embassies around the world, but all that and his duty as a Marine changed suddenly following the tragic events on Sept. 11, 2001.
"As I was on terminal leave, it felt like I was running away from things by getting out," said the Los Angeles native who now resides in Fairfax, Va. "Within fifteen days, I was back in the Marine Corps."
As part of his reenlistment, Diamond requested to be assigned with a deployable unit who would be a part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Six months later as a sergeant, he was shipped to Okinawa to be part of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron-1 and later Marine Air Control Group-18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, where he would be assigned to Marine Air Control Squadron-4 deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom.
Diamond, who is currently serving here as an administrator with Air Traffic Control Detachment A, MACS-4, had always wanted to be a Marine. His father, Charles, served four years in the Marine Corps as a radio operator with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, at Camp Pendleton and then as a Marine Security Guard in Senegal, Africa, and Ottawa, Canada, from 1973-77. Diamond?s grandfather also served in the Army during World War II.
"I was around Marines all my life and I saw their high standards," he said. "To me, they were always the best of the best in the military and never did I ever want to join any other service. It was always the Marine Corps."
As a young boy, Diamond was constantly around Marines as his father served at embassies around the world as a regional security officer, which gained his interest more as he grew.
He attended boot camp in 1997 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, Calif., and was later assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune, N.C., for three years as an administrator. During his tour with the infantry unit, Diamond saw the world while being promoted to corporal. He took part in many exercises and trained with who he always thought was the best military service in the world in places like Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Spain, Italy, Malta, Romania, Greece, Jordan and Korea. To him and many other Marines, it was training, however, in reality a serious business.
"As Marines, we train the way we are going to fight," stated Diamond.
Diamond was then transferred to the Pentagon in Aug. 2000 and worked closely with the Commandant of the Marine Corps and his staff throughout the next year. Just days away from exiting the Corps on terminal leave, Diamond was conducting his duties as administrator of the Office of the Director of the Marine Corps Staff when something very unusual happened.
"I was the opening duty that morning, showing up at 0430 to pull messages and had to make sure the offices of the director were up and running," Diamond explained. "I had to ensure that at 0700, the Marine staff would be able to show up and get to work."
Two hours later, news about the first plane crashing into the World Trade Center had been passed. Diamond and fellow Marines had made their way to the commandant's conference room to see what was going on when suddenly the building shook violently, then a loud explosion followed shortly after.
"We didn't know what was happening at that moment," Diamond said. "The last thing we thought was terrorism. As myself and others were yelling to others to get out, it all started to hit home and I realized that something had happened, but still didn't know what."
As he and his fellow Marines exited the building, it was then that they realized what had just happened. The extent of the damage was revealed as smoke came bellowing out from the damaged Pentagon.
"I had never seen so much smoke before in my life. People were screaming and crying and the wounded were on the ground," he said. "We got across the street and heard that another plane was coming and it was then that we realized it was a plane that had hit the Pentagon."
An Army colonel who needed assistance with evacuating the wounded in a van and transported to Ft. Belvior hospital approached Diamond. As traffic began to be too heavy, Diamond had traded places with the colonel and ran in front of the van trying to clear traffic. They arrived at the hospital two hours later.
Unfortunately, the day didn't end anytime soon. The dead and wounded were still being excavated from the wreckage and Diamond returned to the Pentagon to assist with anything possible despite all the confusion. He later credited his fellow Marines for keeping his spirits high and hopes alive.
"It was hard to believe that this was happening," Diamond said. "The Marine enlisted and officers that I served with that day in my mind are the top in the Marine Corps because they acted like no one else I ever met."
More than a year after that unforgettable day, Diamond has once again answered the call of duty, but this time serving with his fellow Marines in a war against terrorism.
"I get to be out here representing my family and all Americans," he said. "My Marines know that what happened on Sept. 11 changed our lives. I really don't need to talk with them about it. They know how motivated I am about what we are doing and so are they."
Thank you, Mr Silverback, and your family, for helping the Canteen honor and give thanks to those who defend our freedoms.
Hi, Tex!!!
Coastie's ready! Hear anything about night training this evening?
