Jul 30, 3:53 PM EDT
Warship honors Marine who died protecting comrades
By DAVID SHARP
Associated Press Writer
BATH, Maine (AP) — Marines flushing out Iraqi insurgents after an ambush came upon a column of vehicles. A van with a father and son. A pickup truck. A tractor. A BMW with a couple of sheiks. And a Toyota Land Cruiser with four young men, all of them insurgents.
As Marines began searching the vehicles, the driver of the Land Cruiser jumped out and attacked Cpl. Jason Dunham. The two men tumbled onto the dirt road. Two Marines ran up to assist but Dunham cried out, “No, no, no, watch his hand!”
A grenade exploded, rocking the narrow street.
Dunham, 22, of Scio, N.Y., mortally wounded as he saved his comrades that day, will be honored Saturday at the christening of the Navy’s newest destroyer, the USS Jason Dunham. The young corporal who threw his Kevlar helmet and his body onto the grenade became the first Marine since the Vietnam War to receive the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military honor.
His mother, Deb Dunham, said she can’t think of a greater tribute.
“It keeps his name alive and his memory alive. And that, as a parent, is what’s important, so that people don’t forget what our men and women are doing with the fight for freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is a cost to pay,” Deb Dunham said.
Deb Dunham, who’ll christen the ship with champagne at Bath Iron Works, will be joined by her husband Dan and their other three children.
Dunham’s company commander, Maj. Trent Gibson, and other Marines who served with him in Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, will attend.
First Sgt. John Ferguson, who heard Dunham’s last words before the grenade blast, saw the insurgent and the three Marines sprawled on the ground when the dust settled that April 14, 2004.
“I thought for sure all four were dead,” he said. Amazingly, though, Lance Cpl. William Hampton and Pfc. Kelly Miller, both suffering burns and shrapnel wounds, rose to their feet. Dunham never regained consciousness and died eight days later.
By: Tango III - 2nd August 2009 at 09:29
By: JFC Fuller - 1st August 2009 at 11:10
The USN has a policy of naming Frigates & Destroyers after decorated heroes from the naval forces (Coast Guard, Navy, & Marines).
The stories behind the names of many of the USN’s surface warships is inspiring reading.
Other ships (such as carriers) are less inspiring (presidents, congresscritters, etc).
But it should be inspiring for presidents to keep paying for them: ‘But Mr Obama, if you dont let us have another carrier how will we possibly be able to name one after you? And if it is a smaller carrier it will mean you are less important than the other presidents.’;)
By: Bager1968 - 1st August 2009 at 05:01
The USN has a policy of naming Frigates & Destroyers after decorated heroes from the naval forces (Coast Guard, Navy, & Marines).
The stories behind the names of many of the USN’s surface warships is inspiring reading.
Other ships (such as carriers) are less inspiring (presidents, congresscritters, etc).
By: Nicolas10 - 31st July 2009 at 17:45
I think it is a nice gesture to name the ship after such a man.
Nic
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July 31, 2009 at 2:25 am