U.S. Jason Jones , Silver Star , Afghanistan

[bobdina]

Silver Star

The Silver Star is the third highest U.S. combat-only award. Established in 1918 as the Citation Star, in 1932 a provision allowed servicemen to receive it retroactively. It has been awarded for actions as far back as the Spanish-American War.



Jason Jones

* Place of birth: San Angelo, Texas
* Home of record: San Angelo, Texas
*

Awards and Citations

1.
Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Global War on Terror

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Jason D. Jones, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against Anti-Afghan Forces as a Mentor, Embedded Training Team 5 - 3, Regional Corps Advisory Command-Central, 201st Corps, Afghan National Army, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, on 13 July 2008. Embedded with two other Marines in an Afghan National Army platoon manning Vehicle Patrol Base Wanat alongside a reinforced U.S. Army platoon, Corporal Jones and the Coalition Forces came under an intense coordinated predawn attack from an estimated 200 Anti-Afghan Forces. He calmly returned suppressive fires while encouraging the Afghan National Army soldiers to deliver well-aimed defensive fires. Seeing a seriously wounded Afghan National Army soldier in the open, he and another Marine ran across 35 meters of open ground to drag him back to their position where Corporal Jones treated his life threatening wounds. When the U.S. Army squad manning an observation post was in danger of being overrun after suffering heavy casualties, he and a fellow Marine crossed 130 meters of fire swept ground with an M-240B machinegun and ammunition that proved vital to repelling the attack. Corporal Jones constantly exposed himself to grenades and fires from the attackers as he provided lifesaving first aid to several of the wounded U.S. Soldiers. By his bold initiative, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Corporal Jones reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Corporal

[bobdina]

The day started like any other day in eastern Afghanistan, moderate temperature, sunny; hardly a cloud in the sky.

But for three Marines, a platoon of Afghan national soldiers and a platoon of Soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 173rd Airborne, July 13 would turn to bloodshed, sacrifice and one Marine’s tale of heroism.

The U.S. – Afghan team was attacked by more than 200 enemy forces firing small-arms and rocket-propelled grenades.

Many members of the team became disorganized and discouraged facing the overwhelming odds.

Cpl. Jason Jones, one of three Marines embedded with the two platoons of soldiers, seized the initiative and began firing his weapon at the enemy while encouraging and guiding his comrades to organize a counter attack.

Jones’ actions grew bolder as casualties mounted and the firefight intensified.

He sprinted across the terrain under heavy enemy fire to a wounded Afghan soldier and pulled him to safety as rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire exploded around them. But the fight was not over. Members of the U.S. Army platoon were pinned down.

“We got a call on the radio saying ‘we’re dying, we’re dying and I’m the last one left,’” said Jones, the 24 year-old native of San Angelo, Texas. “I figured we needed to do something about it.”

With bullets still flying, Jones again crossed 130 meters of fire-swept ground wielding a M-240B machine gun. Jones, with fire support from other members of the team, suppressed the attackers long enough to allow him to reach the wounded soldiers and provide life-saving aid.

For his valor, heroism and bravery under fire, Jones was awarded the Silver Star, the third highest decoration a U.S. service member can receive.

Jones is a four-year veteran of the Marine Corps. He graduated from Grape Creek High School, class of 2003, in San Angelo. He works in the logistics field with Headquarters and Service Company, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.

However, while in Afghanistan, Jones was serving a 10-month auxiliary billet as a mentor to the Afghan National Army while attached to Embedded Training Team 5-3.

According to Jones, he developed a bond with his Afghan and U.S. Army counterparts – a bond that was tested under fire and survived through resolve.

“Whether it’s a Marine, Sailor or Soldier, you can only hear suffering for so long before you have to do something about it,” said Jones. Jones said he took it upon himself to do exactly what Marines are taught – lead from the front.

It is easy to say Jones’ actions saved lives that day, but they may have had another lasting effect.

“His actions built confidence and motivation in the Afghan national army,” said Sgt. Maj. Samuel Schmidt the sergeant major of 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. “He was essentially a catalyst in changing the tide of the battle.”

Though his actions are looked at as heroic by some, Jones was a bit more humble in describing his actions following an awards ceremony on Camp Schwab on April 2 where Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, pinned on his Silver Star.

“We were just taking care of business,” Jones said. “A firefight that big opens your eyes to what war is really like. I wouldn’t call myself a hero. The real heroes are the ones that gave their [lives] – and I’m wearing this medal for them.”

[nastyleg]

fuckin' a what a read.

[ghost]

Damn. Good going, Marine.

Congrats.