In the spring 2004, the Iraq city of Fallujah was under siege, and the border town of Husaybah became one of the most lethal postings in Iraq. It was here, on a dusty street on April 14, that 22-year-old Cpl. Jason Lee Dunham made a decision that would save his fellow Marines.
Dunham was serving as a squad leader with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. His unit deployed to Husaybah, a town on the Syrian border known for smuggling insurgents and weapons into Iraq.
That morning, his unit responded to a report of an ambush on a Marine convoy. While moving to intercept, Dunham attempted to restrain an Iraqi insurgent who was trying to flee. In the struggle, the man dropped a live grenade onto the road.
What happened next took less than a second.
Dunham shouted a warning to the Marines around him, pulled off his helmet, pressed it down over the grenade, and threw himself on top of it. He absorbed nearly the entire explosion as the grenade detonated beneath him. Lance Corporal William Hampton and Lance Corporal Mark Dean were wounded within the blast radius but survived.
Dunham was evacuated immediately to military medical facilities in the region, then flown to Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, where his family rushed to be by his side. He never regained consciousness. On April 22, 2004, eight days after the ambush, he died of his wounds.
On Nov. 10, 2006, the 231st birthday of the United States Marine Corps, President Bush presented the Medal of Honor to Dunham’s parents, Dan and Deb Dunham.
Corporal Jason Dunham is buried at Fairlawn Cemetery in Scio, N.Y., with full military honors. Additionally, the USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109) was named in his honor.
He was the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in the Iraq War and remains one of the most celebrated Marines of the Post-9/11 era.
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My brother died doing what Marines are taught (to have courage). It’s one of the traits of being a Marine. I salute you my brother Marine. Ladies and gentlemen, the next time you see a active service member, or veteran, and you say thank you for your service, please make eye contact to demonstrate the sincerity of those word. Most of the time I doubt if those saying it truly understand what we go through serving our country. Men like my brother paid the ultimate price. However, many more pay the price through mental health issues. Know that because we make it back, we leave more of ourselves than even we realize. Thank you . To thie parents of this young man, you raised a fine son. God bless everyone who reads this. Shalom (the peace of God rest upon you)
You are Still standing tall, Marine!
Semper Fi
My son ( Force Recon. Marine) is also a “Homemade IED fall out casualty “ from this war. His fellow “brother”
who tripped the wire, lost both legs at the hips, we then “adopted “ him as well. Physical shrapnel injuries aside, as I now type, I pray that the inpatient rehabilitation facility,which he is currently in,”saves” his life, again. TBI, substance abuse motivated him to open his life, (over an 8 yr. period)the “good,bad,and ugly” for any and all to see.
He hopes that it can assist any service member/family. A documentary aptly named “Homemade” followed him, showing the “why” and “what now” concerning the challenges faced by the “fallout “ of a “Homemade” IED.
RIP Jason, you ARE loved.
True American hero!
Never to be forgotten RIP MARINE.
Cpl Dunham, (RIP My Brother) this brings a whole new meaning to Heroism…& saving the lives of his Soldiers..Whoa
A slow hand salute to this hero Marine.
Courage is inherent in many soldiers over the course of many wars and conflicts but is always exemplified when you give all to save others. God bless and rest in eternal peace.
Thank you so very much for these stories about young kids fighting in a war that they have mixed feelings about. I love reading these, even when there isn’t a happy ending. Please continue to post these.
I hope that you read the Michael Phillips front page piece in the Wall Street Journal, when Kelly Miller was to attend the Medal of Honor Ceremony at the White House, the presentation to Jason’s mother