|
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (8/28/2012) – When a patrol
of Marines from 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine
Division; Afghan National Army soldiers and Afghan National Civil
Order Police patrolmen was ambushed by insurgents March 5, 2011,
Cpl. Jason M. Hassinger quickly realized that many of his comrades
were trapped, unable to maneuver or engage the attacking enemy. The
Marines requested air support, but it was not immediately available,
so Hassinger led his section through the gunfire to rescue his
trapped brothers in arms.
Philadelphia native Cpl. Jason M. Hassinger (center right),
receives the Silver Star from Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan, the outgoing
commanding general of 2nd Marine Division during the 2nd Marine
Division change-of-command ceremony Aug. 23, 2012 aboard Camp
Lejeune. Hassinger received the Silver Star for his actions during
an ambushed patrol in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, in
which he led his section through intense fire to rescue a group of
fellow Marines pinned down by the enemy. Hassinger was shot four
times during the incident but continued to fight until the enemy
retreated. The Silver Star is the third-highest award a U.S. service
member can receive for valor in combat. Photo by USMC Cpl. Tommy
Bellegarde |
Hassinger, a Philadelphia native, was recognized for his
actions during the 2nd Marine Division change-of-command
ceremony on base Aug. 23, when the outgoing commanding
general of the division, Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan, awarded
Hassinger the Silver Star, the nation's third highest award
for combat valor. Staff Sgt. Matthew E. Faircloth, also of
2/8, was also awarded the Bronze Star with combat
distinguishing device for a separate incident.
Hassinger was shot four times on the patrol for which he was
recognized. He continued to fight despite his injuries until
the enemy finally retreated.
“They were all pinned
down,” said Hassinger. “My section was under fire but their
faces were in the dirt, so it was up to us to get them out.
We suppressed them and regrouped, and we were going to chase
them but I collapsed and was evacuated.”
After being
shot, Hassinger relied on his training and combat experience
to take over to keep him in the fight. A calm, fearless
Hassinger silenced the enemy with his weapon and a M203
grenade launcher.
“I'm hit and I need to get back
up, ... keep going,” Hassinger recalled after being shot on
patrol. “The dude who shot me is going to get shot back.”
Toolan showed his appreciation for the efforts of
Hassinger and Faircloth as he addressed the crowd toward the
end of the change of command ceremony.
“I want you to
hear the citations of Corporal Hassinger and Staff Sergeant
Faircloth,” said Toolan, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. “That's
just an indication of the type of heroism that goes on every
day (in 2nd Marine Division) ... We don't give awards
lightly.”
The most chilling moment of the ceremony
occurred when those in attendance displayed their gratitude
for the actions of Hassinger and Faircloth with an
enthusiastic ovation as the two proudly stood at attention
with their freshly pinned decorations on their chests.
Hassinger is no longer on active duty and now works for
Disabled American Veterans where he helps guide fellow
veterans to utilize the benefits to which they are entitled.
By USMC Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
Comment on article |
Silver Star Recipients
|
Other Heroes |
