First Sgt. Cole Daunhauer, company first
sergeant of Utilities Instruction Company at the Marine Corps
Engineer School aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, shakes hands
with Brig. Gen. John Simmons, commanding general of Training Command
in charge of MCES, after being awarded the Bronze Star aboard MCB
Camp Lejeune on July 18, 2012 for his actions while deployed in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Daunhauer was deployed with
3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment from March 1 to Aug. 31, 2011.
Photo by USMC Lance Cpl. Scott Whiting |
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (7/19/2012) — The criteria for earning the Bronze
Star award includes a service member who distinguishes oneself above
his comrades by brave or praiseworthy achievement.
First Sgt.
Cole Daunhauer, company first sergeant of Utilities Instruction
Company at the Marine Corps Engineer School aboard Marine Corps Base
Camp Lejeune, put these selfless actions on display during his
deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from March 1 to
Aug. 31, 2011. A ceremony was held in his honor, July 18, aboard MCB
Camp Lejeune to present him with the award.
Brig. Gen. John
Simmons, commanding general of Training Command in charge of MCES,
presented Daunhauer with the Bronze Star and the official citation
for the award aboard MCB Camp Lejeune in front of the Engineer
School, along with friends and family of Daunhauer.
Daunhauer was deployed in support of OEF with 3rd Battalion, 2nd
Marine Regiment. His unit was responsible for the construction of a
patrol base and May 15 the western wall of the base was penetrated
by two enemy rifle rounds, causing two Marine casualties.
According to the citation, without hesitation, he established a
casualty collection point and began treating the most critically
wounded Marine with dressings and tourniquets while using his own
body to cover the wounded Marines from additional fire. |
Even as enemy fire intensified, Daunhauer took
charge of a rescue team, and they evacuated the two
casualties to safety. While the medical evacuation
helicopter was on the ground, enemy fire was directed at the
helicopter. Daunhauer saw another Marine was injured from
the engagement and sprinted across 100 meters of open,
uncovered terrain in order to attend to the casualty. He and
his team then transported the casualty to another medical
evacuation helicopter to get the third wounded Marine to
safety.
Daunahuer's courageous effort to take care of
his troops potentially saved the lives of multiple Marines.
“The enemy firing started around (2 a.m.), and everyone
stayed composed and did their job,” remembered Daunhauer.
“There were many different heroes that morning.”
The
humble Daunhauer said he felt honored to receive the award
in front of his peers. Daunhauer also said he didn't think
he deserved the award more than anyone else he was with that
day.
“I'm no hero,” he said. “I was just at my
appointed place of duty doing my job. I know any of my
Marines would have done the same thing if they were in my
shoes. The medical evacuation was a true team effort made
possible because everyone did their own job.”
Simmons described the first sergeant as “real-life hero” and
a Marine with leadership qualities everyone should look to
emulate.
By USMC Lance Cpl. Scott Whiting
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
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