Posted on 11/10/2005 3:28:06 PM PST by SandRat
Damn!
All these years I always thought the Navy was a department of the Marine Corps!
:)
Thanks for the ping!
>>>The Marines are the ground combat arm of the Navy as much as many dont want to admit being Navy.<<<
Did you know the current chairman of the JCOS, General Peter Pace, is a Marine? He is the first Marine to hold the position of Chairman.
http://www.defenselink.mil/bios/pace_bio.html
While scanning the Navy Times medal section back during the Vietnam days, I read about a Navy Corpsman who threw his body on top of the grenade to protect the Marines from the blast. The grenade did not explode. The Corpsman was awarded the Medal of Honor. I found the following on the web that might be referring to him. The story seems familiar to me.
BALLARD, DONALD E.
Rank and organization: Hospital Corpsman Second Class, U.S. Navy, Company M, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division. Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 16 May 1968. Entered service at: Kansas City, Mo. Born: 5 December 1945, Kansas City, Mo. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and beyond the call of duty while serving as a HC2c. with Company M, in connection with operations against enemy aggressor forces. During the afternoon hours, Company M was moving to join the remainder of the 3d Battalion in Quang Tri Province. After treating and evacuating 2 heat casualties, HC2c. Ballard was returning to his platoon from the evacuation landing zone when the company was ambushed by a North Vietnamese Army unit employing automatic weapons and mortars, and sustained numerous casualties. Observing a wounded marine, HC2c. Ballard unhesitatingly moved across the fire swept terrain to the injured man and swiftly rendered medical assistance to his comrade. HC2c. Ballard then directed 4 marines to carry the casualty to a position of relative safety. As the 4 men prepared to move the wounded marine, an enemy soldier suddenly left his concealed position and, after hurling a hand grenade which landed near the casualty, commenced firing upon the small group of men. Instantly shouting a warning to the marines, HC2c. Ballard fearlessly threw himself upon the lethal explosive device to protect his comrades from the deadly blast. When the grenade failed to detonate, he calmly arose from his dangerous position and resolutely continued his determined efforts in treating other marine casualties. HC2c. Ballard's heroic actions and selfless concern for the welfare of his companions served to inspire all who observed him and prevented possible injury or death to his fellow marines. His courage, daring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
We are part of the Department of the Navy.
We are part of the Department of the Navy.
The grenade was afraid to explode.
Yep. It's about time.
BTTT
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