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With protesters outside, Michael Vick was awarded the Ed Block Courage Award. The award is presented to players who show a commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. Vick was selected unanimously by his teammates. "I'm very humbled to be here," Vick said before the award ceremony. "I'm blessed to be voted by my peers, to be here, and this is an opportunity that I will take advantage of and cherish forever." This is the first award Vick has received since being reinstated in September 2009. Vick ran the wildcat offense for the Philadelphia Eagles and completed six of...

Lt. Col. Terry Cook, 1st Cavalry Division, pins Commissioner Hameed Hermis, an Iraqi Police officer, with an Army Achievement Medal during a ceremony at the Provincial Joint Control Center in Kirkuk city, May 19. Photo by Pfc. Justin Naylor, 1st Cavalry Division. KIRKUK — A small mosque here was recently the scene of a life and death struggle between four Iraqi Police (IP) and a teenage suicide bomber. The four IP succeeded in stopping and detaining the would-be bomber, potentially saving the lives of hundreds inside the mosque. The four were honored for their actions with U.S. Army Achievement Medals...

DENVER – A parrot that alerted his owner about a baby who was choking was recognized as a hero by the Red Cross. Willie the parrot was given the Animal Lifesaver Award during the "Breakfast of Champions" event attended by Gov. Bill Ritter and Mayor John Hickenlooper. .. Willie repeatedly yelled "Mama, baby" when Howard went to the bathroom and the toddler started to choke on her breakfast.

BAGHDAD — Staff Sgt. James Jenkins was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his heroic actions in saving the life of a fellow combat engineer following an improvised explosive device strike. While conducting a route clearance mission on a particularly dangerous road in central Iraq on Nov. 22, 2008, the lead vehicle was struck by an IED. Jenkins, a native of Georgetown, S.C., deployed out of Bamberg, Germany, was in the lead vehicle. As a result of the explosion, the vehicle commander was seriously injured by a piece of shrapnel in his left leg. Four other Soldiers sustained minor injuries,...

NEW YORK (AFP) – An airline passenger forced to cover his T-shirt because it displayed Arabic script has been awarded 240,000 dollars in compensation, campaigners said Monday. Raed Jarrar received the pay out on Friday from two US Transportation Security Authority officials and from JetBlue Airways following the August 2006 incident at New York's JFK Airport, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - As a state senator, Democrat Barack Obama awarded $75,000 in government grants to a Chicago social service organization led by a rabbi who is also his wife's cousin, records show. ADVERTISEMENT In 1999, Obama arranged for $50,000 for adult literacy and counseling services offered on Chicago's South Side by a group called Blue Gargoyle. A $25,000 grant for the group's youth services followed the next year. The group's executive director when the grants were awarded was Capers Funnye, a South Side rabbi and Michelle Obama's first cousin once removed. Funnye (pronounced fun-NAY) said Monday there was nothing...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - As a state senator, Democrat Barack Obama awarded $75,000 in government grants to a Chicago social service organization led by a rabbi who is also his wife's cousin, records show. ADVERTISEMENT In 1999, Obama arranged for $50,000 for adult literacy and counseling services offered on Chicago's South Side by a group called Blue Gargoyle. A $25,000 grant for the group's youth services followed the next year. The group's executive director when the grants were awarded was Capers Funnye, a South Side rabbi and Michelle Obama's first cousin once removed.

Federal jury awards inmate $295,000 over moldy cell mattress. . . Jury: Lousy bedding violated Wisconsin felon's constitutional rights - A Wisconsin man serving time for reckless homicide yesterday was awarded $295,000 by a federal jury that found the inmate's constitutional rights were violated when he was forced to spend two months sleeping on a moldy, waterlogged mattress. Reggie Townsend, 29, scored the six-figure windfall after a U.S. District Court panel decided that he was improperly treated while locked up in late-2004 at the New Lisbon Correctional Institution.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 2008 – Newman’s Own awarded a combined $75,000 in grants to 15 nonprofit organizations for their innovative volunteer efforts to improve military quality of life during the company’s ninth annual awards ceremony, held at the Pentagon here today. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, helped present the awards alongside executives from contest sponsors Newman’s Own, Fisher House and the Military Times Media Group. “The clever ideas, the way the ideas were brought forth, the things that were meaningful to people who had family and knew they would be meaningful...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2008 – More military spouses than ever before are heading back to school this year, and they’ve earned some financial help to study for their chosen degree, National Military Family Association officials said. The association, which prepares military spouses, children, and parents to better deal with the unique challenges of military life, recently announced the nearly 400 recipients of its 2008 Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship Program. This number represents a dramatic increase over previous years, officials said, thanks to new partnerships with the Fisher House Foundation and Health Net Federal Services, who helped meet...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government has decided to award Boeing contracts for the construction of two sections of a high-tech fence to be built along the border with Mexico in Arizona, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said on Monday. The two fence sections would be an "operational configuration" of a much-criticized 28-mile (45-km) section of "virtual fence" built by Boeing and tested earlier, Chertoff told a news conference. He said the fence would include fixed towers, with radar sensors, remote control cameras, ground sensors and software linking border agents to give them a "common operating picture" of...

PLATTE CITY, Mo. — Kansas City officials say they plan to appeal a jury's $2.1 million award to a woman who claimed she was passed over for a city judgeship because she's white. Clay County assistant prosecutor Melissa Howard claimed in a lawsuit filed in Platte County that Kansas City council members wanted to fill the vacancy with a racial minority. Howard was one of three white women who were finalists for the post vacated by Marcia Walsh in 2006. City officials deny Howard was discriminated against. City attorney Galen Beaufort said that the state law upon which Howard based...

WASHINGTON, May 31, 2007 – Operation Homefront, a military support group dedicated to providing emergency assistance and morale to servicemembers and their families, recently received a $5.9 million grant to expand its services. The grant came from the California Community Foundation’s Iraq Afghanistan Deployment Impact Fund. “We were deeply honored to receive this grant, and it will fund some big dreams that we, and our volunteers, have had,” Meredith Leyva, chairman of Operation Homefront, said. “For example … we’ve been able to launch our Wounded Warrior Wives project.” The new Wounded Warrior Wives project is a combined effort of...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2007 – More than 40 years after demonstrating the heroism immortalized in the bestselling book and movie, “We Were Soldiers Once … and Young,” retired Army Lt. Col. Bruce P. Crandall will receive the Medal of Honor, the White House announced yesterday. Crandall will receive the nation’s highest military award for actions during the Battle of Ia Drang Valley in Vietnam in November 1965. The battle, at Landing Zone X-Ray near the Ia Drang River, was the first major ground battle of the war. During the incident, Crandall, then a major and commander of Company A,...

LONDON - A woman who said a bullying mother-in-law made her life a misery was been awarded compensation by a British court. Nottingham County Court on Monday ordered Dalbir Kaur Bhakar to pay 35,000 pounds ($65,000) to her daughter-in-law, Gina Satvir Singh. Singh, 26, claimed she suffered months of abuse following her arranged marriage to Bhakar's son Hardeep Bhakar in November 2002. Singh claimed her mother-in-law, who lived with the couple in Ilford, east London, kept her a virtual prisoner and forced her to rise at 6:30 a.m. to perform "excessive and unnecessary" household chores, including cleaning the toilet without...

MARINE CORPS RECRUITING STATION PITTSBURGH (May 17, 2006) -- In a recent ceremony held in a room full of friends, family, and members of his former Camp Lejeune, North Carolina-based Marine unit, 1st Lt. Raymond G. Baronie, was honored with a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, with combat “V” for Valor, for his courageous actions while deployed to Iraq. Baronie, a native of Lower Burrell, PA and 2002 graduate of Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA, served in Iraq with the Marine Corps’ 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force as a liaison officer between the newly created Iraqi Security Forces and the...

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO (May 12, 2006) -- Conspicuous gallantry, valor and respect preceded the corporal as he proudly stepped forward to the front of the general; crisply his hand lifted for a salute as he awaited the general’s acknowledgement during the Morning Colors ceremony on the depot May 5. The Silver Star, the U.S. military’s third highest honor for valor, was awarded to Corporal Kristopher D. Kane, marksmanship coach, Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, by Brig. Gen. John M. Paxton Jr., commanding general, MCRD and of the Western Recruiting Region. “Corporal...

AL TAQADDUM, Iraq (May 8, 2006) -- Two Marines were awarded Purple Hearts May 1 for injuries received during an improvised explosive device attack in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq. Staff Sgt. James N. Wheeler and Lance Cpl. Matthias E. Knudsen, both with the military police, sustained shrapnel injuries during an IED attack March 3, 2006. "We were out on an IED call," said Wheeler, referring to the unit who provides convoy security for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit. "We were the lead vehicle and we received a stop call over the radio. We then hit a different IED...

A federal jury on Friday awarded $2.25 million to a Virginia man who claimed a police investigator fabricated a rape and murder confession that sent him to death row. Earl Washington Jr., who came within nine days of being executed, had sued the estate of the state police investigator, Curtis Reese Wilmore, who died in 1994. Jurors awarded Washington damages upon finding that Wilmore deliberately fabricated evidence that led to his conviction and death sentence. "I feel great - and happy," a smiling Washington said after the verdict. Washington spent nearly 18 years in prison. He was pardoned in 2000...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (May 4, 2006) -- Sgt. Maj. Bradley A. Kasal feels he did what any good Marine would’ve done. That includes taking enemy rifle fire on Nov. 14, 2004, absorbing a grenade blast and refusing medical attention inside Fallujah’s “House of Hell” during Operation Al Fajr (New Dawn). For his extraordinary heroism and leadership in Fallujah, Iraq, as the Weapons Company first sergeant for 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Kasal was awarded the Navy Cross during a ceremony here Monday. “The word hero is tossed around pretty loosely these days,” said Maj....

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (May 2, 2006) -- The family of the fallen Marine, Cpl. Pablo V. Mayorga, of 2nd Tank Battalion, entered the funeral home with tears filling their eyes as they said their final goodbyes to their father, husband, son, brother and friend. Paola Mayorga, Pablo’s widow, was presented with the Purple Heart for the wounds that took her husband’s life. The posthumous award along with a memorial honoring the life of Mayorga brought family and friends together to share memories of the past and lay to rest a beloved friend. “His life was a celebration...

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (NNS) -- Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (FMF) Juan M. Rubio, 32, of San Angelo, Texas, was awarded the Silver Star Medal April 27 for conspicuous gallantry against the enemy Jan. 1, 2005, while serving as a Marine Platoon corpsman in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The Silver Star Medal is the U.S. Navy’s third highest award for gallantry in combat, following the Navy Cross and the nation’s highest award, the Medal of Honor. Rear Adm. Thomas R. Cullison, commander, Navy Medicine East and commander, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Va., made the presentation in front of the...

Corpus, Christi, Texas (April 27, 2006) - Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Juan M. Rubio, of San Angelo, Texas, was awarded the Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry against the enemy on Jan. 1, 2005, while serving as a Marine platoon corpsman in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Medical Corps, Commander, Navy Medicine East and Commander, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Va., Rear Adm. Thomas R. Cullison, left, made the presentation in front of the Naval Hospital on board Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. U.S. Navy photo by Mr. Bill W. Love (RELEASED)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (April 24, 2006) -- In Iraq, leaders have sought the recipe for building a viable police force capable of maintaining the peace and security of a nation torn at the seams. Last year, Capt. Thomas “Tad” Douglas and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Force Reconnaissance Marines cooked up something special by throwing 12 members of the Iraqi Police into combat and ultimately creating one of the finest fighting organizations in Iraq – the 500 member Hilla Special Weapons and Tactics team. In addition to his work in shaping Hilla SWAT, Douglas was responsible for...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (April 19, 2006) -- He stood in front of the American and Marine Corps colors while fellow Marines and friends watched as he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal. He received this award April 13 from 2nd Marine Division’s commanding general, Maj. Gen. Richard A. Huck, during a ceremony here. Maj. Patrick M. McGee, who served as the Division Assistant Air Officer in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, from February 2005 to February 2006, received his award for meritorious achievement in coordinating thousands of air assault and support missions. “Patrick is a fine air officer and...

Maj. Gen. Paul E. Mock, commander of the 63rd Regional Readiness Command, speaks words of encouragement to Jim and Barbara Witkowski after presenting their son's Silver Star. Pfc. Jennifer L. Sierra JOINT FORCES TRAINING BASE, Los Alamitos, Calif. (Army News Service, April 11, 2006) – One hero’s courage under fire was honored April 8 as the 63rd Regional Readiness Command’s Maj. Gen. Paul E. Mock presented the Silver Star to Jim and Barbara Witkowski, parents of Sgt. James Witkowski. Witkowski, 32, was killed in action October 26, 2005, during a combat logistics patrol near Ashraf, Iraq. Witkowski’s unit, the...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (April 7,2006) -- The plans officer for Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, was presented a Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in connection with combat operations in Iraq by Maj. Gen. Richard A. Huck, commanding general, 2nd Marine Division, at the II Marine Expeditionary Force headquarters building in a ceremony here on April 4. Lt. Col. Jeffrey Conner was awarded the medal for his achievement as the plans officer, assistant chief of staff G-3 from February 2005 to February 2006. The battalion was based in and around Ar Ramadi, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi...

Camp Lejeune, NC (Mar. 23, 2006) -- Three Marines were awarded the Bronze Star Medal during a ceremony held at the II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters building March 21, 2006. Lt. Gen. James F. Amos, II MEF commanding general, awarded three Marines with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment the medal for actions during their last combat deployment to Iraq. Gunnery Sgt. Ryan P. Shane, Staff Sgt. Robert C. McMillan and Cpl. Brian Sneeringer all received a Bronze Star Medal for bravery displayed in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom II. The Bronze star was authorized February 4, 1944 and is awarded...

"Societies measure their heroes in different ways. Some societies honor athletes or performers. Others celebrate caregivers and humanitarian workers. The Palestinians, on the other hand, have consistently chosen to honor murderers as their national icons. "

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (March 14, 2006) -- Families, friends and fellow Marines gathered to see a Lake Hopatcong, N.J. native awarded the Bronze Star Medal March 13 for his actions during combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Capt. Frank Diorio, a 1996 Notre Dame graduate, received the award in a ceremony here for his tour of duty as the company commander of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment in Husaybah, Iraq from February to September 2005. The 33-year-old Marine led his company in over 275 engagements at Camp Gannon firm base. On April 11,...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (March 14, 2006) -- “The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to 1st Lt. Brian M. Stann, United States Marine Corps,” were the words starting the Silver Star presentation ceremony here March 10. All of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment gathered together as the commanding general of 2nd Marine Division presented Stann, Weapons Company commander, with his Silver Star Medal, honoring him for his actions and bravery during Operation Matador last year in Iraq. “This award represents my guys,” the Scranton, Pa. native explained. “It’s an insight...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Mar. 8, 2006) -- The conference room was packed with Marine leaders with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment there to witness the battalion’s operations officer receive a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in connection with combat operations. Maj. Paul C. Merida, from Oakland, Calif., was awarded the medal for his achievements as the battalion’s operations officer in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from February to October 2005 in the Fallujah area of Iraq. The 1994 graduate of the University of California-Davis initially planned and supervised the execution of a turnover with 3rd Battalion,...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (March 2, 2006) -- A LaCygne, Kan. native was awarded the nation’s fourth highest distinction given for valor and meritorious service during a ceremony here March 1. Brig. Gen. Joseph J. McMenamin, 2nd Marine Division’s assistant commander, presented the Bronze Star Medal to Sgt. Maj. Ricky D. James, citing James’ superior leadership during his unit’s deployment to Iraq from January through June 2005. The 43-year-old James served as the senior enlisted man for 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment as they conducted six months worth of counterinsurgency operations in and around Fallujah. The unit arrived...

MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. (Feb. 24, 2006) -- Most people cannot remember what they were doing the day of June 3, 2004, but for Staff Sgt. Anthony Viggiani, the past is as clear as the present. Viggiani, a 3rd Recruit Training Battalion drill instructor, was awarded the Navy Cross February 24 for his actions in Afghanistan on June 3, 2004. Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) were conducting cordon-and-knock operations in a village when a pair of Army Apache helicopters spotted approximately 20-armed insurgents fleeing to the hills. Charlie Company immediately pursued on foot. "On that...

CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq (Feb. 18, 2006) -- A Marine from Maryville, Tenn., was recognized here today for his life-saving actions during combat operations in Husaybah, Iraq, last November. Cpl. Neill A. Sevelius, a 21-year-old combat videographer with Regimental Combat Team-2, received the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat “V” for valor for aiding a wounded Marine while under fire. The Combat “V” device is awarded specifically for heroic actions in combat. Sevelius was attached to a Marine infantry company during Operation: Steel Curtain – the Marine and Iraqi Army-led, two-week offensive, in western Al Anbar Province to disrupt insurgent...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Feb. 13, 2006) -- He was standing there as his battalion came to attention and the order was read, “The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Lt. Col. Todd S. Desgrosseilliers.” Desgrosseilliers received his award in a ceremony here Feb. 10 to recognize what he accomplished in Task Force Bruno from Dec. 12 to 23, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq. His new battalion gathered together to honor his actions and leadership he portrayed while facing tough times where decisions were made and lives were saved. “This was...

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (Jan. 19, 2006) -- For one Marine, his service off duty distinguishes him in the community. However, he was not even in the United States to receive his recognition due to his further commitment in Iraq. Staff Sgt. Timothy M. Fraunfelder, the operations center watch chief for 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) was honored by the Onslow County, N.C., Fireman’s Association as “Firefighter of the Year” for 2005 on Jan. 13. He is currently a member of the Hubert Volunteer Fire Department near Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he is currently stationed. Fraunfelder began his quest into firefighting...

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon in December for action while in Aquaba, Jordan, in August. The Combat Action Ribbon is awarded to a ship’s crew when the safety of the ship and crew is endangered by enemy attack - such as a ship engaged by shore fire - and the ship’s crew performance is considered satisfactory. Kearsarge’s robust force protection measures thwarted a terrorist attack while pierside in Aquaba with USS Ashland (LSD 48) Aug. 19 in support of Exercise Infinite Moonlight, a two-week training exercise between...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Dec. 2, 2005) -- If it wasn’t for the selfless actions of Staff Sgt. Anthony B. Speich, ten Afghani troops and a Navy corpsman on the forward element of the Special Forces Operational Detachment, Company C., 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Combined-Joint Special operations Task Force Afghanistan, may have never been able to return home. Speich, a 36-year-old from Rapids, Wis., was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” Device during a ceremony here Dec. 2 for his actions in Afghanistan on the day of April 24, 2005. While leading those 11 men, Speich...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Dec. 1, 2005) -- Due to the heroic achievement of then Gunnery Sgt. Daniel W. Fleming under harsh conditions – including extremely low visibility and heavy enemy small-arms, machinegun and mortar fire – the Marines of Regimental Combat Team 1 were able to move into the city of Fallujah in the days leading up to Operation Al Fajr (New Dawn). The 39-year-old from Minneapolis, Minn., is now a master sergeant, and was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Advice here Dec. 1. On Nov. 7, 2004, Fleming, platoon sergeant for Combat Engineer Detachment,...

CAMP PENDLETON – A Marine sergeant who rescued his platoon commander from a burning vehicle during a firefight with Iraqi insurgents last year is to receive the Silver Star Wednesday in a ceremony at Camp Pendleton Marine Base. Sgt. Sagredo's citation Gunnery Sergeant Ismael Sagredo was a staff sergeant on April 13, 2004 when his platoon attacked insurgents, who set one their armored amphibious vehicles afire deep within insurgent-held territory. Sagredo led his Marines to a nearby house, then went back to evacuate his platoon leader. But that was only the beginning, according to the Department of the Navy's official...

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Nov. 28, 2005 - Decorated Iraqi War hero, Staff Sgt. Eddie Escamilla was awarded a free apartment for one year by the Trilogy rental community, located in the Cheltenham Township of Pennsylvania. Escamilla was randomly chosen for the apartment from nearly 100 other applican'ts. Each applican't entered the contest at Willow Grove Naval Air Station, located near Philadelphia, PA. The Escamilla family moved in to a newly renovated two-bedroom apartment at Trilogy, which recently completed over $25 million in renovations and upgrades. In addition to the apartment, Trilogy provided the family with all amenities including access to the...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Nov. 16, 2005) -- An Athens, Ga. native was presented the Purple Heart Medal here Nov. 10 for wounds received in combat in Iraq. Lance Cpl. John T. Shepard, a 31-year-old boat mechanic formerly with Small Craft Company, Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, and several members of his unit had been conducting a foot patrol through Ramadi’s streets in August when they were ambushed by several insurgents. The capital city of western Iraq’s Al Anbar province is located approximately 100 kilometers west of Baghdad, and has been a focal point of resistance against U.S....

From left to right, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Charles Folk, 1st Lt. Michael Hultquist, Chief Warrant Officer James Cornell and Chief Warrant Officer James Williamson, all aviators from 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, received the Distinguished Flying Cross during a ceremony Nov. 8, 2005, at the 82nd Aviation Brigade Headquarters. The aviators were awarded the medal for valorous actions during Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. Carden Paratroopers Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross Hearing a mayday call from ambushed U.S. and Iraqi troops, the four soldiers went to their aid despite being...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Nov. 07, 2005) -- When Marines encounter tough situations, they can fall back on training, but basic preparation sometimes isn’t enough. A Marine’s survival instinct combined with combat training could make a Marine an effective force in any situation. Sergeant Anthony J. Gantt of Miami is a prime example of an effectively trained Marine and he was awarded the Bronze Star medal with a combat distinguishing device Oct. 31, for actions performed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as a tank commander with 2nd Platoon, Company A, 2nd Tank Battalion. During a combat operation,...

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,...

BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, Aug. 24, 2005) – The Distinguished Service Cross – second only to the Medal of Honor in military decorations – has been awarded to U.S. Army Col. James H. Coffman Jr. for his role in leading Iraqi Special Police Commandos through a 5 ½-hour battle against insurgents trying to overrun an Iraqi police station. Flanked by the commando unit Coffman fought with, U.S. Army Gen. George Casey, commander of Multi-National Forces–Iraq, pinned the cross and eagle medal on Coffman’s body armor during an Aug. 24 ceremony at Adnon Palace in Baghdad’s International Zone. Iraq’s Minister...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-- (August10, 2005) -- Cpl Danny S. Santos, a rifleman with the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Anti-Terrorism) and a native of south-central Los Angeles, received a Silver Star Aug. 10 from Lt. Gen. James F. Amos, commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, for his actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom April 2004. The Silver Star is the nation’s third-highest award, after the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross, respectively. Amos noted the significance of the award in his presentation. “In all my years in the Marine Corps, I have pinned on a lot...

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Locked-up woman awarded $100,000 She said she was forced to spend 63 days confined in a DIP storage shed 09/30/03 By GARY McELROY Staff Reporter A Mobile County Circuit Court jury awarded $100,000 Monday to a woman who claimed she was forced to spend 63 days locked in a Dauphin Island Parkway storage shed. The verdict handed to Wanda Hudson was $9.9 million short of what the 44-year-old woman had wanted from Parkway Storage. Her attorney, Mallory Mantiply, said the company was negligent when one of its employees apparently inadvertently locked Hudson into a 30 feet by 10 feet unit...