Conservative Donnybrook

The United States Marine Corps celebrates its 233rd birthday today. It is meet that we who have enjoyed the blessings of security and freedom that their blood has purchased take a moment to honor their service.

From the first battles out of which our country emerged to take its separate and equal station among the nations of the world, the Marines have been first to fight. While the country may enjoy the status of separate and equal, as a fighting force, the world knows no equal to the valor, determination, and capabilities of the United States Marines.

That valor and determination was epitomized by the most recent Marine Medal of Honor recipient: Jason L. Dunham. Corporal Dunham’s Medal of Honor citation reads:

Rank and organization: Corporal, 4^th Platoon, Co. K, 3^rd Battalion, 7^th Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, 1^st Marine Division (Reinforced),  U.S. Marine Corps.  Place and date: Karabilah, Iraq, 14 April 2004.  Entered service at: Scio, NY.  Born: 10 November 1981, Scio, New York.  Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rifle Squad Leader, 4^th Platoon, Company K, 3^rd Battalion, 7^th Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, 1^st Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004, Corporal Dunham’s squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west.  Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander’s convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah.  As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire.  Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy.  Discovering seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons.  As they approached the vehicles, an insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham.  Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade.  Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat.  Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast.  In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines.  By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Men like Corporal Dunham and his brothers-in-arms in the Marine Corps make possible the unparalleled freedoms we enjoy as Americans. To the United States Marines, happy birthday and thank you for your faithful service.

UPDATE: Worth a read.