Above L-R: Navy Medal of Honor, Air Force Medal of Honor,
Army Medal of Honor
MEDALS OF HONOR AWARDED FOR ACTION IN IRAQ
*DUNHAM, JASON L.
Rank and Organization: Corporal, United States
Marine Corps
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty while serving as Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon,
Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team
7, First 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.
*SMITH, PAUL R.
Rank and Organization: Sergeant First Class, United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty:Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself
by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action
with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April
2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of
a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a
company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow
soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense
consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three
armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith
braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and
anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from
an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm
mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First
Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun
mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own
life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy
force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions
helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers
killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers.
Sergeant First Class Smith’s extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in
keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great
credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” and
the United States Army.
Above L-R: Navy Medal of Honor, Air Force Medal of Honor,
Army Medal of Honor
Visit the U.S. Army
Center of Military History, an excellent resource of military history. It is
a fascinating site, we are sure you will enjoy it!
U.S. Army Center of Military
History
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