1stSgt. Kasal
This post is not about what's going on in my life. I just walked through the mailroom and saw a poster up with the picture associated with this story, and realized I had to share it with you all; I don't know how many of you may have heard about it, or to what extent. Our drill instructors told our company about it at boot camp, with a great deal of awe and reverence.
This is 1stSgt. Brad Kasal from Afton, IA, a tiny farming town not far southwest of Des Moines, being helped out of a house in Fallujah he had rushed into to save three Marines. This article explains it better than I could, so please read it.
These are the men I call brothers. This is the brotherhood I am proud to be a part of. 1stSgt. Kasal is a well-known hero throughout the Marine Corps by now, and all the Marines I've talked to about it are in awe of him, speaking of his story in almost hushed whispers, with deep respect and reverence. His story illustrates all that is good about the Marine Corps, all the high ideals that distinguish the Marine Corps from all other services, and the deepest reasons I joined.
Also, and this is on the side, please note in the picture that after taking seven rounds and absorbing shrapnel from a grenade he threw himself on to save another Marine, and losing 60% of his blood, he kept his finger straight and off the trigger. Oorah.
posted by Roger W. at 8:21 PM
6 Comments:
That is an amazing story! I am glad that you will be surrounded by men of such caliber. Take care of yourself (and your fellow Marines)!
There are a lot of heroes with amazing stories that are never publicized in the mainstream media. One that I ran across was the story of Lt. Brian R. Chontosh, USMC.
http://www.homeofheroes.com/verify/02_wot/nc_chontosh.html
I tried to paste a link to the citation, but it didn't work. The address is www.homeofheroes.com/verify/02_wot/nc_
chontosh.html
I remember reading about Lt. Chontosh in Leatherneck magazine.
Dad,
I had heard about that while at MCT. That's another really amazing story. Given how fearless his attack was and as many enemies as he took out, I'm surprised he only got a Navy Cross (if there is such a thing as "only" getting a Navy Cross).
I was just thinking about Lt. Chontosh again. After he received the Navy Cross, they promoted him to Captain. If you have to single handedly kill 20 enemy soldiers by utilizing their weapons after yours are spent to get promoted to Captain from 1st Lt., what do you have to do to get promoted to Major? Colonel? General? Gosh, Roger, talk about high standards! You need to get to work, son!
it's always good to hear how much you look up to the marines. it sounds like you made a good decision and are constantly excelling at what you do. i know i speak for many when i say again how proud i am. your unit is lucky to have you as a brother.
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