Patriotic Photos
April 23, 2008
Silver Star Recipient | |
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June 24, 2007
on patrol in Saqlawiyah,
Iraq, Corporal Ian Dollard's
team investigated an
abandoned dump truck for
signs of explosives when
insurgents ambushed them.
Immediately, one Marine was
hit once by a spray of
machine gun fire and several
Marines rushed to his aid.
Dollard provided suppressive
fire from behind his
up-armored Humvee for the
rescuers and wounded Marine.
Suddenly, a second position
opened fire on the Marines.
An enemy round hit his
platoon commander, 1st Lt.
Paul Brisker, instantly
dropping Brisker to the
ground and presenting the
young corporal with a life
threatening decision.
Dollard recalls adrenaline
took over, and he rushed
towards his wounded comrade
– as well as the second
enemy machine gun position.
The 21-year-old Marine
selflessly used his body as
a shield to protect Brisker
from additional gunfire
while he began performing
first aid.
In his exposed position,
Dollard was hit not once,
but twice by machine gun
fire in his armor, causing
him only temporary pause. He
knew Brisker would die if
not pulled to the safety
provided by his platoon, so
he dragged the injured
officer more than 25 meters
to a Humvee under constant
gunfire. In the final steps
of the rescue, Dollard was
hit a third time, this round
bypassing his armor and
hitting him in the leg.
Ignoring his injuries,
Dollard continued supporting
his platoon as they left the
engagement to rush back to
their operating base and get
Brisker the critical care he
needed. Only |
|
then did
Dollard tell his platoon
sergeant, Staff Sgt. Marc
Navai, “Oh, by the way, I
got shot too.” |
Without
delay, Navai started working
on the citation, arguing,
"That's what a Silver Star
is all about." Dollard was
credited with saving the
life of his platoon
commander, who eventually
made a full recovery. After
only six weeks recuperating,
Dollard was back on the
frontlines, serving his
country and the Corps with
the same heroism he brought
that June day in Anbar
province.
Photo
courtesy of the US Marines
Note...
The Silver Star is the third
highest military medal. |
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