Posted on 11/07/2005 3:56:19 PM PST by SandRat
AL ASAD, Iraq (Nov. 6, 2005) -- Two hours into a deep sleep, he awoke to the sound of bullets flying and alarms screaming as heavily armed al-Qaeda terrorists attacked the U.S. Consulate Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
He immediately assumed his duties as acting detachment commander of the Marine Security Guard, and was directly responsible for saving the lives of Consulate employees and maintaining security of the consulate.
Staff Sgt. Michael L. Young, an EA-6B Prowler mechanic staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge with Marine Electronic Warfare Squadron 1, was awarded the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device, Nov. 1, at Al Asad, Iraq, for his actions Dec. 6, 2004, when he and the three Marines under his command defended the consulate and killed al-Qaeda terrorists.
“It’s something you never expect, but as a Marine, it’s something you’re trained to handle,” said Youngblood, a Longview, Texas, native. “The intent of the terrorists was to get inside the consulate, kill as many Americans as possible, and take hostages. We weren’t going to let that happen.”
Youngblood said it was a great honor to be awarded the Bronze Star and never in his life did he expect something like that to happen.
“We acted exactly as we were trained to do,” said Youngblood. “The drills we did, day in and day out, paid off. I lost a couple of friends who worked for the State Department. But, due to high training and conditioning standards set by the MSG battalion, we were ready.”
Youngblood stressed that a Marine from the Wing receiving a Bronze Star shows every Marine is always a Marine first, no matter what their job.
“Marines are always riflemen first,” said Youngblood. “During the attack, I just went back to my roots, to the mentality I had at boot camp of being a Marine first.”
The Marines who are serving under Youngblood in Iraq said they look to him as a source of experience and leadership.
“He represents confidence for the squadron,” said Sgt. Carlos Coca, an EA-6B Prowler power plants mechanic with VMAQ-1. “We know we are capable of putting rounds down range without hesitation. In our shop, you wouldn’t normally have that level of leadership.”
Coca, a Simi Valley, Calif., native, said Youngblood has adapted well since returning from MSG duty and getting back to working on Prowlers, and has brought with him experience junior Marines look up to and strive to emulate.
“You know you can trust him with your life,” said Coca. “This experience, earning the Bronze Star with combat valor, makes you have more respect for him, and respect for the job he does.”
During the attack, the terrorists burnt down the bachelors enlisted quarters, along with everything Youngblood and the other Marines had in Saudi Arabia, save the clothes on their back and their determination to defend the consulate.
“When the attack started, everything was chaos and confusion,” said Youngblood. “Soon, it was controlled confusion, but we executed everything by the book. It was a text book operation. We only had one goal in mind, to accomplish our mission and protect the U.S. Consulate. They tried to comprise U.S. security and couldn’t because of us.”
Youngblood said he credits the Marines he served with for the accomplishment of their mission. He said everyone played their part perfectly.
According to Youngblood’s Bronze Star citation, he exhibited courageous leadership and unparalleled presence of mind orchestrating the internal security of the consulate while under terrorist attack. He directed with his M-9 pistol and dispatched the terrorist threat, driving the terrorists away.
Youngblood said for the rest of his life, he will never forget what happened.
“We were all asleep when the attack started,” said Youngblood. “I had crashed in my bed, and was stilling wearing my (camouflage utility uniform). Then, for the next three and half days we were awake. The experience is something that is always on my mind. I owe my life to the other Marines. My condolences go out to the people who were killed and their families.”
Awarded Bronze Star with V device
Terrorists? What are those and what are they doing in the media!
This is a great story, corageous man.
Heads up - Marine Corps Birthday this week!
Thanks for posting.
I love these stories about our heroes.
How can one earn the Bronze Star without Valor?
BTTT
Staff Sgt. Michael L. Young, an EA-6B Prowler mechanic staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge with Marine Electronic Warfare Squadron 1, was awarded the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device, Nov. 1, at Al Asad, Iraq, for his actions Dec. 6, 2004, when he and the three Marines under his command defended the consulate and killed al-Qaeda terrorists. “It’s something you never expect, but as a Marine, it’s something you’re trained to handle,” said Youngblood, a Longview, Texas, native. “The intent of the terrorists was to get inside the consulate, kill as many Americans as possible, and take hostages. We weren’t going to let that happen.”
Thanks for the ping!
BTTT
Bump for our awesome and highly trained and disciplined military! Thanks for the pings
Great story. Bad editing, though; is his name Young or Youngblood? Each is used throught the article.
Thanks for the ping and the post to a great story of our warriors~!!!
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