ARS on Twitter
RSS
A handful of Marines
Posted by Raven on October 4th, 2006
Damn.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — One November day in 2004, in 30 minutes of close combat, Marine Pfc. Christopher Adlesperger, a soft-spoken, religious young man who loved poetry and art, attacked an enemy stronghold in Fallujah, Iraq, and killed at least 11 insurgents.
He killed them with his M-16 and with his grenade launcher.
He killed insurgents who were heavily armed and who had just killed his close friend Lance Cpl. Erick Hodges.
He protected two wounded squad members from attack and saved innumerable Marines.
When it was over, Adlesperger’s face had been bloodied by shrapnel and he had bullet holes in the sleeve and collar of his uniform. He refused to be evacuated until Hodges’ body was recovered.
“It was a tremendous bit of fighting,” said Col. Patrick Malay, the battalion commander. “He was a quiet kid, but he was remarkable.”
For his bravery, Adlesperger is among a handful of Marines who have been nominated for the Medal of Honor in Iraq.
A nomination does not ensure that an award will be made. No Marine has been awarded the Medal of Honor for combat occurring since the Vietnam War.
Why is that?
The nation’s highest recognition of bravery is reserved for those who have shown conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. In fact, two-thirds of the Medals of Honor awarded to Marines since the beginning of World War II have been posthumous.
If an award is made to Adlesperger, his, too, will be posthumous.
A month after the firefight for which he was nominated, Adlesperger led Marines in storming another building where insurgents were hiding. He was shot in the heart and died instantly.
As with most Marines I know, I would be willing to wage a bet that Adlesperger wouldn’t think he deserved such an honor. He was just doing his job- and looking out for his buddies.
Let’s not forget those who gave it all. It’s easy to do- with all the politics and news we hear and read on a daily basis. Keep in mind those who have died such violent deaths, in the name of freedom.
Semper Fi Lance Corporal Adelsperger
October 4th, 2006 at 9:35 am
God Bless all of our warriors, and their families with special blessings.
October 4th, 2006 at 1:29 pm
Rest in Peace and gard the gates of Heaven well my friend
October 4th, 2006 at 8:02 pm
I can see Marines guarding the gates of heaven.
Semper Fi