Today is National Medal of Honor Day. Please take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by these amazing individuals in their service to our country.
Since September 11, 2001, five people have received the Medal of Honor for their efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. All were awarded posthumously.
Michael P. Murphy, Lieutenant, United States Navy.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as the leader of a
special reconnaissance element with Naval Special Warfare Task Unit Afghanistan on 27 and 28 June 2005. While leading a
mission to locate a high-level anti-coalition militia leader, Lieutenant Murphy demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the
face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. On 28 June 2005, operating in an extremely
rugged enemy-controlled area, Lieutenant Murphy's team was discovered by anti-coalition militia sympathizers, who revealed
their position to Taliban fighters. As a result, between 30 and 40 enemy fighters besieged his four-member team.
Demonstrating exceptional resolve, Lieutenant Murphy valiantly led his men in engaging the large enemy force. The ensuing
fierce firefight resulted in numerous enemy casualties, as well as the wounding of all four members of the team. Ignoring
his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men. When the
primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his
beleaguered teammates. Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain, and in the face of almost
certain death, he fought his way into open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call. This deliberate, heroic act
deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire. Finally achieving contact with his Headquarters, Lieutenant Murphy
maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team. In his final
act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country
and for the cause of freedom. By his selfless leadership, courageous actions, and extraordinary devotion to duty, Lieutenant
Murphy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Paul R. Smith, 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.
Jason Dunham, 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.
Michael A. Monsoor, Master-At-Arms Second Class (Sea, Air And Land), United States
Navy.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as automatic
weapons gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 29
September 2006. As a member of a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army Sniper Overwatch Element, tasked with providing early
warning and stand-off protection from a rooftop in an insurgent held sector of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer Monsoor
distinguished himself by his exceptional bravery in the face of grave danger. In the early morning, insurgents prepared
to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element's position. Element snipers thwarted the
enemy's initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a
rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his
machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. While the SEALs vigilantly watched for enemy activity,
an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location, which bounced off Petty Officer Monsoor's chest and landed
in front of him. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his
teammates. Instantly and without regard for his own safety, he threw himself onto the grenade to absorb the force of
the explosion with his body, saving the lives of his two teammates. By his undaunted courage, fighting spirit, and
unwavering devotion to duty in the face of certain death, Petty Officer Monsoor gallantly gave his life for his
country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval
Service.
Ross A. McGinnis, Private First Class, United States Army.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the
call of duty while serving as an M2 .50-caliber Machine Gunner, 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry
Regiment, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Adhamiyah, Northeast Baghdad, Iraq, on 4
December 2006.
That afternoon his platoon was conducting combat control operations in an effort to reduce and control sectarian
violence in the area. While Private McGinnis was manning the M2 .50-caliber Machine Gun, a fragmentation grenade thrown
by an insurgent fell through the gunner's hatch into the vehicle. Reacting quickly, he yelled "grenade," allowing all
four members of his crew to prepare for the grenade's blast. Then, rather than leaping from the gunner's hatch to
safety, Private McGinnis made the courageous decision to protect his crew. In a selfless act of bravery, in which he
was mortally wounded, Private McGinnis covered the live grenade, pinning it between his body and the vehicle and
absorbing most of the explosion.
Private McGinnis' gallant action directly saved four men from certain serious injury or death. Private First Class
McGinnis' extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in
keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the
United States Army.