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USMC Corporal Jason L. Dunham was born on November 10, 1981 in Scio, New York. This is also a major day US history - it's the birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
On April 14, 2004, 3 days after Easter, Cpl. Dunham was manning a checkpoint in Karabilah, Iraq, when an insurgent jumped from his car and began choking him. A scuffle ensued as 2 other Marines approached to help.
Suddenly, the insurgent dropped a grenade. Corporal Dunham took off his Kevlar helmet, dropped to the ground, and covered the explosive as best he could. The blast seriously wounded all 3 Marines. His last words were, “No, No. Watch his hand.â€
Eight days later, Cpl. Jason L. Dunham died at Bethesda Naval Hospital from wounds he received in the incident. He was just 22.
Jason made the ultimate sacrifice, and in doing so saved the lives of his fellow Marines. Due to his actions that day he was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Jason has been further honored by having a US warship named for him: the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109). She goes into service November 13, 2010 with Commander M. Scott Sciretta in command.
SEMPER FI!!