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redelk

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Posts: 3212

posted May 14, 2004 02:30 PM

Why wasn't this in the news?

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(May 6, 2004) -- Marine Capt. Brian R. Chontosh received the Navy Cross Medal from the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, during an awards ceremony Thursday at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Training Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Three other Marines received medals for valor at the same ceremony.

Chontosh, 29, from Rochester, N.Y. , received the naval service's second highest award for extraordinary heroism while serving as Combined Anti-Armor Platoon Commander, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom March 25, 2003. The Medal of Honor is the highest military award.

While leading his platoon north on Highway 1 toward Ad Diwaniyah, Chontosh's platoon moved into a coordinated ambush of mortars, rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapons fire. With coalitions tanks blocking the road ahead, he realized his platoon was caught in a kill zone.

He had his driver move the vehicle through a breach along his flank, where he was immediately taken under fire from an entrenched machine gun. Without hesitation, Chontosh ordered the driver to advanced directly at the enemy position enabling his .50 caliber machine gunner to silence the enemy.

He then directed his driver into the enemy trench, where he exited his vehicle and began to clear the trench with an M16A2 service rifle and 9 millimeter pistol. His ammunition depleted, Chontosh, with complete disregard for his safety, twice picked up discarded enemy rifles and continued his ferocious attack.

When a Marine following him found an enemy rocket propelled grenade launcher, Chontosh used it to destroy yet another group of enemy soldiers.

When his audacious attack ended, he had cleared over 200 meters of the enemy trench, killing more than 20 enemy soldiers and wounding several others.

"They are the reflection of the Marine Corps type who's service to the Marine Corps and country is held above their own safety and lives," said Gen. Hagee, commenting on the four Marines who received medals during the ceremony. "I'm proud to be here awarding the second highest and third highest awards for bravery to these great Marines."

"These four Marines are a reflection of every Marine and sailor in this great battalion," said Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada.

"I was just doing my job, I did the same thing every other Marine would have done, it was just a passion and love for my Marines, the experience put a lot into perspective," said Chontosh.

In effect since April 1917, and established by an Act of Congress on Feb. 4, 1919, the Navy Cross may be awarded to any person who, while serving with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguishes himself/herself in action by extraordinary heroism not justifying an award of the Medal of Honor.

The action must take place under one of three circumstances: while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
To earn a Navy Cross the act to be commended must be performed in the presence of great danger or at great personal risk and must be performed in such a manner as to render the individual highly conspicuous among others of equal grade, rate, experience, or position of responsibility.

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EastBayDave

Needs a job
Posts: 2245

posted May 14, 2004 06:03 PM

awesome....wish I cud'a gone too.......sniff...

sounds like one hell'a set of canjonies...yes-sir-ree cat bob!
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deathpulse

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Posts: 1688

posted May 14, 2004 06:18 PM

WHOA!!! NOw THAT is a cool story - THANKS RedElk!

Pro
Posts: 1592

posted May 14, 2004 06:57 PM

as we Marines say.... Out-fucking-standing!!!

slug

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Out in search of my mind...
Posts: 1433

posted May 14, 2004 08:44 PM

it won't hurt the military image, or the USA's image, so it will never make the news in the anti-USA media

I'm glad that our military has people like that though, who will do the job and get it done.

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Y2KZX12R

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Posts: 3762

posted May 15, 2004 05:06 AM

quote:
it won't hurt the military image, or the USA's image, so it will never make the news in the anti-USA media

Exactly...
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REDX

Novice Class
Posts: 56

posted May 15, 2004 06:49 AM

military news isn't news unless it's negative. you have 130,000 troops over there doing above and beyond everyday but the only thing that will make a headline is the acts of 6 dumbasses. the hell with the media.

MadMike