Read especially towards the end.
All I can say is, wow!
http://www.wroctv.com/news/story.asp?id=13410&r=l
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Local Marine Awarded Navy Cross
5/4/2004 11:00 PM
(Rachel Barnhart, WROC-TV8)
A 1991 Churville-Chili High School graduate has been awarded the Navy Cross for his service in Iraq. 1st Lt. Brian Chontosh of the First Marine Expeditionary Force based in Camp Pendleton, California is credited with saving his platoon during a fierce firefight last year.
Lt. Chontosh will receive the award from the Secretary of the Navy Thursday at a ceremony in California.
The Navy Cross is awarded to members of the Marines and Navy who exhibit extraordinary heroism during combat. It is second only to the Congressional Medal of Honor. According to the Navy's historical website, only two Navy Crosses were given out in the Persian Gulf War. Several have been given out so far during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lt. Chontosh received a citation letter describing his "complete disregard for his safety" and "unlimited courage," in a battle in which he killed more than 20 enemy soldiers in a "ferocious" and "audacious" attack.
His parents, Rick and Robin Chontosh of Churchville, flew to San Diego Tuesday to attend the ceremony.
"We're very excited and very proud, obviously very proud of all the young men and women over there and everybody over there," Rick Chontosh said.
"I'm overwhelmed," Robin Chontosh said.
Both parents say their son has not told them what he did to deserve the Navy Cross. They say he does not like to talk about his time in Iraq. "He's humble," his mother added.
Lt. Chontosh, 30, is married and expecting his first child. He tells his parents he may have to return to Iraq.
The citation letter reads like a war novel. It described what happened on March 25, 2003, five days into the war, as U.S. troops were closing in on Baghdad.
While traveling north on Highway 1, his platoon came under an ambush of mortars, rocket propelled grenades, and automatic weapons fire. Lt. Chontosh realized he was caught in a "kill zone."
Here are excerpts from the letter:
"He had his driver move the vehicle through a breach along his flank, where he was immediately taken under fire from an entrenched machine gun. Without hesitation, 1st Lt. Chontosh ordered the driver to advance directly at the enemy position, enabling his .50 caliber machine gunner to silence the enemy.
"He then directed his driver into the enemy trench, where he exited his vehicle and began to clear the trench with an M1A2 service rifle and a 9 millimeter pistol. His ammunition depleted, 1st Lt. Chontosh, with complete disregard for his safety, twice picked up discarded enemy rifles and continued his ferocious attack.
"When a Marine following him found an enemy rocket propelled grenade launcher, 1st Lt. Chontosh used it to destroy yet another group of enemy soldiers. When his audacious attack ended, he had cleared over 200 meters of the enemy trench, killing more than 20 enemy soldiers and wounding several others.
"By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, 1st Lt. Chontosh reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."