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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Corporal Joshua M. McKee,
a rifleman with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment,
2nd Marine Division, received the Bronze Star medal with combat
distinguishing device during an award ceremony aboard Marine Corps
Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 27, 2013.
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Corporal Joshua McKee, a Marine with Wounded Warrior Battalion,
Wounded Warrior Regiment, and native of Lake Placid, Fla., received
the Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device during his
award ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune on December 27, 2013. McKee
received the medal with a combat distinguishing device for his
efforts while serving with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by
Cpl. Mel Johnson)
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“Receiving the Bronze Star is more than an honor,” said
McKee, 23, and a native of Lake Placid, Fla. “But when it's
all said and done, I was just doing my job.”
The
bronze star medal is an individual military award of the U.S
armed forces. It is awarded for acts of heroism, merit or
meritorious service in a combat zone. When awarded for acts
of heroism, the medal is awarded with a combat
distinguishing device. The Bronze Star is the fourth highest
combat decoration and the 10th highest U.S. military award.
McKee received the award for his efforts during an
insurgent attack while standing guard at forward operating
base Hansen, during 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines' previous
deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring
Freedom from May 2012 to Nov. 2012. While taking heavy fire,
McKee took cover and was able to call for help.
“The
day I was injured, I was on post at the entry-control point
(ECP) as sergeant of the guard,” explained McKee. “A man
dressed as an Afghan police rode up on a motorcycle, and
when we started to walk toward him, he just started shooting
at us.”
“We interacted with the local police all the
time, but when rounds started to fly by me, that's when I
noticed the Afghans had circled around us,” said McKee.
“Even though I was shot in my upper thigh, I managed to call
for help and we took them down.”
Among those present
to congratulate McKee on his bravery, heroism and courage
was 1st Lt. Jonathon Harris, whom also pinned the medal on
McKee. During the deployment, Harris served as McKee's
platoon commander and was present at the base during the
time of the attack, and holds McKee in the highest regards.
“The fact that McKee was bleeding everywhere, but
remained vigilant the entire time ensuring that no other
threats existed, was an act of a true hero,” said Harris.
“McKee's actions that day hands down prevented the loss of
several Marines' and coalition forces' lives; he's a hero
and someone I look up to 100 percent.”
Today, nearly
a year after the deployment, McKee is still dealing with
some nerve damage but says despite it all, he wouldn't have
changed his actions that day.
“At the time, you
don't really think about the exact situation you're in,”
explained McKee. “It's one of those outer body moments, and
the things closest to you definitely come to mind, but other
than that you don't even think, you just act.”
By USMC Cpl. Mel Johnson
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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