Marine killed in Afghanistan is awarded Navy Cross

Stars and Stripes ^ | January 17, 2014 | By Cathy Locke

[Brad from Tennessee]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A Marine from El Dorado County, Calif., who was killed in Afghanistan has been named a recipient of the Navy Cross for valor.

Staff Sgt. Sky R. Mote, 27, was killed Aug. 10, 2012, in a village in Helmand province when a uniformed Afghan policeman opened fire on Marines inside their tactical operations center. The Navy Cross will be awarded posthumously to Mote and Capt. Matthew P. Manoukian, 29, of Los Altos Hills, in a ceremony Saturday at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. Both men were members of the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion and died in the same incident.

The Navy Cross is the second highest valor award, after the Medal of Honor, and must be approved by the secretary of the Navy before being awarded. Mote and Manoukian will become the third and fourth Marines in the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command’s seven-year history to be awarded the Navy Cross, and the 15th and 16th Marines to receive it for actions during Operation Enduring Freedom, according to a Marine Corps news release. . .

[Brad from Tennessee]

This article originally appeared in the Sacramento Bee.

[Bender2]

Most times when a Marine or Sailor is put up for a Medal of Honor, it is knocked down to the Navy Cross. In any event, Staff Sgt. Sky R. Mote shall be in our prayers and hearts for his sacrifice to our nation.

The only shame is the scumbag politician first President who was his commander-in-chief--

[oh8eleven]

“In his final act of bravery, he boldly engaged the gunman, now less than five meters in front of him, until falling mortally wounded.”
He returned fire from a single gunman, and won the Navy Cross? Millions of Marines have done the same since forever ... why is this so different?
And why the Navy Cross? The Bronze Star, okay; the Silver, maybe; but Navy Cross? That means he was probably put up for the MOH. Doesn't make sense.

[DoodleDawg]

Why not read the article?

Mote and his colleagues were conducting village stability operations in Helmand province when they came under automatic small-arms fire from a rogue Afghan uniformed policeman who attacked from inside the center’s perimeter, according to the citation issued by the secretary of the Navy. Working in an adjoining room, Mote had not been seen by the attacker and could have left the building and escaped to safety.

“He instead grabbed his M4 rifle and entered the operations room, courageously exposing himself to a hail of gunfire in order to protect his fellow Marines,” reads the citation. “In his final act of bravery, he boldly engaged the gunman, now less than five meters in front of him, until falling mortally wounded.”

Mote’s actions assisted in halting the assault and forcing the attacker to withdraw, according to the citation, and enabled other Marines to make it to cover and survive.

He gave his life so his fellow Marines could live. People are alive today because of him who might otherwise have died. I would think that's in keeping with the traditions of the Marine Corps.

[onedoug]

As if obama himself shot him down. He loves murdering Americans.

RIP SSG Mote.

[oh8eleven]

He gave his life so his fellow Marines could live.
Wow, that's new. Ever heard of - "Uncommon valor was a common virtue." ?
I read the article three feckin' times wise@ss. I had to because as a former Marine and VN vet, I thought I must have missed something. I take nothing away from Mote's bravery, but that's what Marines do.
I personally know dozens and dozens of Marines who did a hell of a lot more than Mote and never even received a thank you, let alone the Navy Cross.
Try reading "Hill 488" and you'll see what I mean ...

"In addition to the eighteen Purple Hearts for each platoon member, there were thirteen Silver Stars,
four Navy Crosses, and one Congressional Medal of Honor given for the battle of Hill 488."

[M Kehoe]

Bttt.

5.56mm

[Brad from Tennessee]

The Marine Corps is generally stingy with combat awards, at least when the recipient is an enlisted puke. Against all instincts the guy stood up and charged into certain death, giving others time to take cover.

[DoodleDawg]

Wow, that's new. Ever heard of - "Uncommon valor was a common virtue." ?

OK, your contempt for this man's sacrifice and courage is duly noted.

[TomServo]

Holy cow...what a story..

[oh8eleven]

upyourz

[oh8eleven]

Fantasic book ...

[TomServo]

Yeah - think I’m goin to have to get this one...thanks for the tip..