Corpsman Up!

Ridgerunner

Ridgerunner

Vice Admiral
As mentioned in another thread, Corpsmen are very special sailors, and thought of very highly by Marines.


The reason that Corpsmen are highly respected and appreciated by Marines, is that we know that at any time they may do this for any one of us:


Hospital Apprentice First Class​
Fred F. Lester​

Congressional Medal of Honor​

Citation:

For conspicious gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Medical Corpsman with an Assault Rifle Platoon attached to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Marines, 6th Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain on 8 June 1945. Quick to spot a wounded Marine lying in an open field beyond the front lines following the relentless assault against a strategic Japanese hill position, Petty Officer Lester unhesitatingly crawled toward the casualty under a concentrated barrage from hostile machine-guns, rifles, and grenades. Torn by enemy rifle bullets as he inched forward, he stoically disregarded the mounting fury of Japanese fire and his own pain to pull the wounded man toward a covered position. Struck by enemy fire a second time before he reached cover, Petty Officer Lester exerted tremendous effort and succeeded in pulling his comrade to safety where, too seriously wounded to administer aid, he instructed two of his squad in proper medical treatment of the rescued Marine. Realizing his own wounds were fatal, he staunchly refused medical treatment for himself and, gathering his fast-waning strength with calm determination,cooly and expertly directed his men in the treatment of two other wounded Marines, succumbing shortly thereafter. Completely selfless in his concern for the welfare of his fighting comrades, Petty Officer Lester, by his indomitable spirit, outstanding valor, and competent direction of others, had saved the life of one who otherwise must have perished and had contributed to the safety of countless others. By his exceptional fortitude, inspiring initiative, and selfless devotion to duty, Petty Officer Lester reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Awarded Posthumously.
 
I think Time magazine had a picture of an event very much like the one described here, and featured it in one of their big picture books. I'll have to try to look it up. It's an inspiring story, to be sure. It's good to know that humans are capable of such selflessness.
 
Speaking of fighting men who went above and beyond, we just lost Colonel Hackworth on Wednesday.
 
Col. Hackworth was, some say, the most decorated American in history. A good guy. He'll join Gunny Hathcock at the final post. :(
 
They'll both be up there playin cards with Murphy, York, and Chamberlain. If only the sum total of my life could add up to half as much.

Speaking of White Feather, I picked up a personally signed copy of this print awhile back. It's the envy of all the jarheads I know.
 

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Pharmacist's Mate First Class​

Francis J. Pierce​


Congressional Medal of Honor​


Citation:

For conspicious gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division during the Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands campaign on 15 and 16 March 1945. Almost continuously under fire while carrying out the most dangerous volunteer assignments, Petty Officer Pierce gained valuable knowledge of the terrain and disposition of troops. Caught in heavy enemy rifle and machinegun fire which wounded a Corpsman and two of the eight stretcher bearers who were carrying two wounded Marines to a forward aid station on 15 March, he quickly took charge of the party, carried the newly wounded men to a sheltered position, and rendered first aid. After directing the evacuation of three of the casualties, Petty Officer Pierce stood in the open to draw the enemy's fire and, with his weapon blasting, enabled the litter bearers to reach cover. Turning his attention to the other two casualties, he was attempting to stop the profuse bleeding of one man when a Japanese fired from a cave less than 20 yards away and wounded his patient again. Risking his own life to save his patient, Petty Officer Pierce deliberately exposed himself to draw the attacker from the cave and destroyed him with the last of his ammunition. Then, lifting the wounded man to his back, he advanced unarmed through deadly rifle fire across 200 feet of open terrain. Despite exhaustion and in the face of warnings against such a suicidal mission, Petty Officer Pierce again traversed the same fire- swept path to rescue the remaining Marine. On the following morning, he led a combat patrol to a sniper nest and, while aiding a stricken Marine, was seriously wounded. Refusing aid for himself, he directed treatment for the casualty, at the same time maintaining protective fire for his comrades. Completely fearless, completely devoted to the care of his patients, Petty Officer Pierce inspired the entire battalion. By his inspiring valor, steadfast perserverance, and selfless dedication to duty, Petty Officer Pierce reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
 
they are hardcore indeed. I always find it interesting that often the highest honor a serving man can recieve happens when they die. My favourite of late is when Private Beharry got the Victoria Cross

Private Beharry carried out two individual acts of great heroism by which he saved the lives of his comrades. Both were in direct face of the enemy, under intense fire, at great personal risk to himself (one leading to him sustaining very serious injuries).
His valour is worthy of the highest recognition.

In the early hours of the 1st May 2004 Beharry's company was ordered to replenish an isolated Coalition Forces' outpost located in the centre of the troubled city of Al Amarah. He was the driver of a platoon commander's Warrior armoured fighting vehicle. His platoon was the company's reserve force and was placed on immediate notice to move. As the main elements of his company were moving into the city to carry out the replenishment, they were re-tasked to fight through a series of enemy ambushes in order to extract a foot patrol that had become pinned down under sustained small arms and heavy machine-gun fire and improvised explosive device and rocket-propelled grenade attack. Beharry's platoon was tasked over the radio to come to the assistance of the remainder of the company, who were attempting to extract the isolated foot patrol.

Insurgent ambush

As his platoon passed a roundabout, en route to the pinned-down patrol, they became aware that the road to the front was empty of all civilians and traffic - an indicator of a potential ambush ahead. The platoon commander ordered the vehicle to halt, so that he could assess the situation. The vehicle was then immediately hit by multiple rocket-propelled grenades. Eyewitnesses report that the vehicle was engulfed in a number of violent explosions, which physically rocked the 30-tonne Warrior. As a result of this ferocious initial volley of fire, both the platoon commander and the vehicle's gunner were incapacitated by concussion and other wounds, and a number of the soldiers in the rear of the vehicle were also wounded. Due to damage sustained in the blast to the vehicle's radio systems, Beharry had no means of communication with either his turret crew or any of the other Warrior vehicles deployed around him. He did not know if his commander or crewmen were still alive, or how serious their injuries may be.

Own initiative

In this confusing and dangerous situation, on his own initiative, he closed his driver's hatch and moved forward through the ambush position to try to establish some form of communications, halting just short of a barricade placed across the road. The vehicle was hit again by sustained rocket-propelled grenade attack from insurgent fighters in the alleyways and on rooftops around his vehicle. Further damage to the Warrior from these explosions caused it to catch fire and fill rapidly with thick, noxious smoke. Beharry opened up his armoured hatch cover to clear his view and orientate himself to the situation. He still had no radio communications and was now acting on his own initiative, as the lead vehicle of a six Warrior convoy in an enemy-controlled area of the city at night. He assessed that his best course of action to save the lives of his crew was to push through, out of the ambush. He drove his Warrior directly through the barricade, not knowing if there were mines or improvised explosive devices placed there to destroy his vehicle. By doing this he was able to lead the remaining five Warriors behind him towards safety. As the smoke in his driver's tunnel cleared, he was just able to make out the shape of another rocket-propelled grenade in flight heading directly towards him. He pulled the heavy armoured hatch down with one hand, whilst still controlling his vehicle with the other.

Head exposed

However, the overpressure from the explosion of the rocket wrenched the hatch out of his grip, and the flames and force of the blast passed directly over him, down the driver's tunnel, further wounding the semi-conscious gunner in the turret. The impact of this rocket destroyed Beharry's armoured periscope, so he was forced to drive the vehicle through the remainder of the ambushed route, some 1,500 metres long, with his hatch opened up and his head exposed to enemy fire, all the time with no communications with any other vehicle. During this long surge through the ambushes the vehicle was again struck by rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. While his head remained out of the hatch, to enable him to see the route ahead, he was directly exposed to much of this fire, and was himself hit by a 7.62mm bullet, which penetrated his helmet and remained lodged on its inner surface. Despite this harrowing weight of incoming fire Beharry continued to push through the extended ambush, still leading his platoon until he broke clean. He then visually identified another Warrior from his company and followed it through the streets of Al Amarah to the outside of the Cimic House outpost, which was receiving small arms fire from the surrounding area. Once he had brought his vehicle to a halt outside, without thought for his own personal safety, he climbed onto the turret of the still-burning vehicle and, seemingly oblivious to the incoming enemy small arms fire, manhandled his wounded platoon commander out of the turret, off the vehicle and to the safety of a nearby Warrior.

Led to safety

He then returned once again to his vehicle and again mounted the exposed turret to lift out the vehicle's gunner and move him to a position of safety. Exposing himself yet again to enemy fire he returned to the rear of the burning vehicle to lead the disorientated and shocked dismounts and casualties to safety. Remounting his burning vehicle for the third time, he drove it through a complex chicane and into the security of the defended perimeter of the outpost, thus denying it to the enemy. Only at this stage did Beharry pull the fire extinguisher handles, immobilising the engine of the vehicle, dismounted and then moved himself into the relative safety of the back of another Warrior. Once inside Beharry collapsed from the sheer physical and mental exhaustion of his efforts and was subsequently himself evacuated. Having returned to duty following medical treatment, on 11 June 2004 Beharry's Warrior was part of a quick reaction force tasked to attempt to cut off a mortar team that had attacked a Coalition Force base in Al Amarah. As the lead vehicle of the platoon he was moving rapidly through the dark city streets towards the suspected firing point, when his vehicle was ambushed by the enemy from a series of rooftop positions. During this initial heavy weight of enemy fire, a rocket-propelled grenade detonated on the vehicle's frontal armour, just six inches from Beharry's head, resulting in a serious head injury. Other rockets struck the turret and sides of the vehicle, incapacitating his commander and injuring several of the crew.

With the blood from his head injury obscuring his vision, Beharry managed to continue to control his vehicle, and forcefully reversed the Warrior out of the ambush area.

The vehicle continued to move until it struck the wall of a nearby building and came to rest.
Beharry then lost consciousness as a result of his wounds.

By moving the vehicle out of the enemy's chosen killing area he enabled other Warrior crews to be able to extract his crew from his vehicle, with a greatly reduced risk from incoming fire.

Despite receiving a serious head injury, which later saw him being listed as very seriously injured and in a coma for some time, his level-headed actions in the face of heavy and accurate enemy fire at short range again almost certainly saved the lives of his crew and provided the conditions for their safe evacuation to medical treatment.

Beharry displayed repeated extreme gallantry and unquestioned valour, despite intense direct attacks, personal injury and damage to his vehicle in the face of relentless enemy action.
 
Hospital Corpsman Third Class​

Edward C. Benfold​

Congressional Medal of Honor​


Citation:

For conspicious gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Hospital Corpsman attached to a company in the 1st Marine Division during operations against enemy agressor forces in Korea on 5 September 1952. When his company ws subjected to heay artillery and mortar barrages, followed by a determined assault during the hours of darkness by an enemy force estimated at battalion strength, Petty Officer Benfold resolutely moved from position to position in the face of intense hostile fire, treating the wounded and lending words of encouragement. Leaving the protection of his sheltered position to treat the wounded when the platoon area in which he was working was attacked from both the front and rear, he moved forward to an exposed ridge line where he observed two Marines in a large crater. As he approached the two men to determine their condition, an enemy soldier threw two grenades into the crater while two other enemy charged the position. Picking up a grenade in each hand, Petty Officer Benfold leaped out of the crater and hurled himself against the onrushing hostile soldiers, pushing the grenades against their chests and killing both the attackers. Mortally wounded while carrying out this heroic act, Petty Officer Benfold, by his great personal valor and resolute spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death, was directly responsible for saving the lives of his two comrades. Petty Officer Benfold's exceptional courage, personal initiative, and selfless devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for others.

Awarded Posthumously.
 
Speaking of medics, has anyone heard the followup to the guy who caught one in the throat in Iraq, went on treating his patient, and was still around at last check?
 
Pharmacist's Mate First Class​

John H. Balch​

Congressional Medal of Honor​


Citation:

For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty with the 6th Regiment, United States Marines, in action at Vierzy on 19 July 1918. Petty Officer Balch unhesitatingly and fearlessly exposed himself to terrific machinegun and high-explosive fire to succor the wounded as they fell in the attack, leaving his dressing station voluntarily and keeping up the work all day and late into the night unceasingly for 16 hours. Also in the action at Somme-Py on 5 October 1918, he exhibited exceptional bravery in establishing an advanced dressing station under heavy shellfire. Petty Officer Balch's exceptional abilities, uncommon foresight, and impressive devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
 
Hospital Corpsman Third Class​

Donald E. Ballard​


Congressional Medal of Honor​


Citation:

For conspicious gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Corpsman with Company M, 3dr Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division in connection with operations against enemy aggressor forces on 16 May 1968. During the afternoon hours, Company M was moving to join the remainder of the 3rd Battalion in Quang Tri Province. After treating and evacuating two heat casualties, Petty Officer Ballard was returning from the evacuation landing zone when the Company was ambushed by a North Vietnamese Army Unit employing automatic weapons and mortars, and sustained numerous casualties. Observing a wounded Marine, he unhesitatingly moved across the fire-swept terrain to the injured man and swiftly rendered medical assistance to his comrade. Petty Officer Ballard then directed four Marines to carry the casualty to a position of relative safety. As the four men prepared to move the wounded Marine, an enemy soldier suddenly left his concealed position and, after hurling a hand grenade which landed near the casualty, commenced firing upon the sall group of men. Instantly shouting a warning to the Marines, Petty Officer Ballard fearlessly threw himself upon the lethal explosive device to protect his comrades from the deadly blast. When the grenade failed to detonate, he calmly arose from his dangerous position and resolutely continued his determined efforts in treating other Marine casualties. Petty Officer Ballard's heroic actions and selfless concern for the welfare of his companions served to inspire all who observed him and prevented possible injury or death to his fellow Marines. By his courage, daring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Petty Officer Ballard reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
 
d3r3k said:
Wow. Jumping on a grenade. That's pretty damn brave.
Click to expand...

Bravery seems to be commonplace here; there's a number of instances of soldiers flinging themselves onto grenades to save their fellows, couple more in 'Nam and if I recall correctly Panama. Ballard was pretty damn lucky - most of the others got blown to bits.
 
Although the subject of this thread is Corpsmen, I was reading Medal of Honor citations somewhere 20 some odd years ago, and I believe the recipient was a Marine. He jumped on a grenade to save the others, and after it went off a second grenade landed near him and he pulled it under himself also. After it went off, everyone thought he was dead. A Corpsman checked him later and was able to save him. I believe it was a Marine on Iwo Jima.

Update: It was Private First Class Jacklyn Harold Lucas, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division in action on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 20 February 1945. I didn't remember it quite right, but he did take 2 grenades and lived. Such massive balls.
 
Damn. I can't see how anyone can survive a grenade blast from right under them. Wouldn't that just turn you into a shower of bloody chunks?
 
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