[BlackDragon0311]

I beg to differ, on atleast one aspect. Granted, it is still a high award and a great honor to be presented with the Navy Cross for the heroic action this Marine did. It is however, sending mixed signals and the wrong impression throughout the Corps. The only other Marine so far to recieve the MOH for OIF was Jason Dunham, who came from my unit and who I had talked with a time or two before he fell in action. The action he did, throwing himself on a gernade to save his fellow Marines, is one of true heroism and self-sacrafice, and something that all Marines look up to him for in regards to a example to look upon.

However, given that this is a almost similar action for which this Marine is being awarded for, the question again begs as to why the Navy Cross and not the MOH? The committee that decides on the awarding of the MOH is to have said that the "friendly fire" incident did not have any bearing on their decision, yet it is still being cited amongst us in the Corps and other groups as a main reason, because circumstantial doubt was made as to whether the Marine actually knew what he was doing by pulling the gernade to him, or it was a simple act of confusion mixed in with him "falling" on the said gernade.

If it is such a case, then i'd have preferred the committe to say so, and not go saying it had no bearing on the case when it was reviewed, because if it had no factor in the matter, then again, if yes for Dunham, why not this Marine. If it did have bearing, then that is more understandable and I would prefer to know the details that they can get as best are avaliable to them as to what brought about the decision to award the navy cross as opposed to the MOH.

Though I doubt the honest to God truth will be ever known, me, and fellow Marine grunts are still keeping a very close eye on this matter and watching it with great interest. In mine and other Marines minds, a action and what is happening now is not just a saying of a individual Marine, but a reflection on the Corps as a whole as well as a matter of pride and honor for the Marine Corps, hence why this has A GREAT DEAL to do with the Corps as a whole.

Regardless, I do know one thing. This warrior did what he was trained to do, went above and beyond what he was trained to do, and his honor and sacrifice will not be forgotten, one more Marine reporting to his post St.Peter, ready to watch over heaven's streets. Semper Fi Marine, God's Speed.

~JohnnyBoy