Recon Marine awarded Navy Cross for thriving in heavy combat

Marines.mil ^ | 13 May 2011 | Sgt. Michael S. Cifuentes

[LSUfan]

Gunnery Sgt. Brian M. Blonder shot and killed an insurgent who was aiming a rocket-propelled grenade at his Marines. After that, Blonder and his Marines averaged killing one insurgent about every 10 minutes.

At the end of an all-day fight, more than 50 Taliban were dead, scores were retreating, and the Marines took control of a key supply route through the village of Shewan, Afghanistan.

Blonder said it was what he came to do, and it’s what Marines do best – kill the enemy. And his unit did that exceptionally well that even though the Taliban outnumbered the Marines roughly eight to one.

[tdscpa]

Hmmm. 30 marines x 8 to (x)1 = 240 death candidates. 240-50 “executed, or elected” = 190 pardoned?

They let 190 get away! Need more effective weapons?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Lysandru]

Well, as much I congratulate the Marines on an another epic triumph, let's knock off the nonsense about the gunny's platoon being "outnumbered 8-1." That is a misleading read of the battle.

First of all, let's not forget the other platoon from G Co., 2-7 Marines. And what about the mortarmen? And then let's count the air support. The story doesn't mention the numbers, types, or service affiliation of the air support. But for the sake of pro-Marine propaganda, let's make the quite reasonable assusmption that is was a couple of AH-1's and/or a couple of USMC F-18's.

Thus, the 250 "TB" were up against about 60 Marines in contact, plus the dozen or so Marines manning/ directing the mortars, plus the "airdales"--who could not do their job without the maintenance guys back at the air wing. Oh, and let's not even forget the headquarters pogues who coordinated the support.

This is a "teachable moment" about: (1) the importance of an entire fighting team enabling the success of the riflemen at the tip of the spear. (2) the notion that all the great high tech gear in the world doesn't fully replace a determined infantry unit in taking ground.

[USMCPOP]

Very inspiring.

[gandalftb]

It’s very common in Recon to have many E-5’s on up as it takes a few years to make Recon and MOS 0311 promotes well. Any Marine that can qualify Recon already has the cutting scores on his side.

[IDontLikeToPayTaxes]

I'm in the Army and was in the Shewan area in 2009. We had several fights just like this.

Unfortunately, nobody got any valor awards the entire year of 2009. According to the Sergeant Major, we were "just doing our job."

[W. W. SMITH]

Understood

Am long retired Navy E7.

[W. W. SMITH]

I still tell people that the Marines and the Navy can pursue any kind of conflict anywhere in the world to a successful conclusion. The Army and Air Force on the other hand, regardless of what they are trying to do, need the assistance of the Navy and Marines.

Semper Fi Shipmate

[gandalftb]

I was on the BHR last year. The MEU and carriers guarantee that every problem anyone else gets into, Delta, SEALS, AF anyone one of our assets, will get resolved anywhere, anytime.

[wxgesr]

Never a better friend, never a worse enemy...
God Bless the Marines!!

[ichabod1]

Hell, it’s Recon’s JOB to get surrounded, and then survive to report back to command.

[ichabod1]

1-2-3-4 I Love The Marine Corps!
1-2-3-4 I Love The Marine Corps!
1-2-3-4 I Love The Marine Corps!
1-2-3-4 I Love The Marine Corps!

[SJSAMPLE]

Bullshit.

[Lurker]

even though the Taliban outnumbered the Marines roughly eight to one.

Poor talebunny bastards never had a chance.