It all started on an ordinary day in eastern Afghanistan. Dockery’s platoon had been ordered to investigate a report on a possible IED planted in the area around the villages of Kandegal and Omar. Unfortunately, the road-clearing platoon discovered the explosive device the hard way – by landing on it. The vehicle-mounted mine detector leading the convoy set the device off, causing an explosion that knocked down the dismounted troops, Dockery included. At the same moment, more than 30 insurgents opened fire on the soldiers.

Dazed from the blast, and despite heavy fire, Dockery risked his life to awaken the driver, Pfc. Amador Magana, who had been knocked unconscious from the explosion. Once Magana was awake and firing at the enemy, Dockery decided he wasn’t satisfied with merely saving the life of his comrade.

Seeing his convoy in danger from the heavy fire, he, along with Spc. Corey Taylor, stormed the enemy position, which was a staggering 75 feet up the mountainside. Not to be daunted, the two rushed upward, then crawled along – the whole way throwing grenades at the insurgents. Shrapnel hit Dockery, but he didn’t let slow him down.

Eventually he and Taylor found themselves taking shelter under a rock incline, so close to the enemy that they could hear them talking. They remained holed up there while Dockery attempted to get 1st Lt. William Cromie, his platoon leader, on the radio.

Finally they reached Cromie on the radio, but no one below could spot their position. No one knew how to reach them.

And they were running out of ammunition.

Cromie made the risky decision to take on the mountain by himself. He grabbed extra ammo and reached the two men above. Between the three of them, they were able to force the insurgents into a retreat.

Dockery received a Silver Star and a Purple Heart for his brave tactics against the enemy. Cromie also received a Silver Star for his actions.

I don’t know about you, but reading a story like this just gives me the shivers. Such bravery in the face of death and injury really humbles me.

]]> http://modernwarheroes.com/archives/438/surrounded-by-taliban-but-he-took-them-on/feed/ 0 http://modernwarheroes.com/archives/377/54-lives-saved-by-marines-last-stand/ http://modernwarheroes.com/archives/377/54-lives-saved-by-marines-last-stand/#comments Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:15:44 +0000 admin http://modernwarheroes.com/?p=377 Is this isn’t the ultimate in bravery, then I don’t know what is. I’m humbled by these two brave men. I hope that their families can take solace in their loss in knowing that their sons/brothers gave their all to protect others.

RAMADI, IRAQ (April 29, 2008) – It was a typical quiet morning on April 22, with the temperature intensifying as a bright orange sun emerged high from the horizon.

Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter, a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, and Cpl. Jonathan T. Yale, a rifleman with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, RCT-1, were standing post, just as they’ve done numerous times before. During a standard length watch in a small checkpoint protected by concrete barriers where they overlooked the small gravel road, lined with palm trees leading to their entry control point.

However, this morning would be different. Quickly it would turn, chaotic then tragic. Two Marines would gallantly sacrifice their lives so others could live.

A truck packed with thousands of pounds of explosives entered the area where Haerter and Yale were standing guard. Realizing the vehicles intentions Haerter and Yale without hesitation stood their ground, drew their weapons and fired at the vehicle. The truck rolled to a stop and exploded, killing the two Marines.

“I was on post the morning of the attack,” said Lance Cpl. Benjamin Tupaj, a rifleman with 3rd Platoon, Police Transition Team 3, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines. “I heard the (squad automatic weapon) go off at a cyclic rate and then the detonation along with a flash. Then I heard a Marine start yelling ‘we got hit, we got hit.’ It was hectic.”

In the face of a committed enemy, Haerter and Yale stood their ground, in turn saving the lives of numerous Marines, sailors, Iraqi Policemen, and civilians. Both Marines displayed heroic, self-sacrificing actions and truly lived up to the Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment.

“They saved all of our lives, if it wasn’t for them that gate probably wouldn’t have held,” Tupaj said. “The explosion blew out all of the windows over 150 meters from where the blast hit. If that truck had made it into the compound, there would’ve been a lot more casualties. They saved everyone’s life here.”

According to official reports the heroic actions of Haerter and Yale’s saved the lives of the 33 Marines and 21 Iraqi Police as well as numerous civilians at the entry control point.

“They are heroes because thousands of pounds (of explosives) would’ve made its way through the gate and many more of us wouldn’t be here,” said Lance Cpl. Lawrence Tillery a rifleman with 3rd platoon. “I have a son back home, and I know if that truck would’ve made it to where it was going – I wouldn’t be here today. Because of Lance Cpl. Haerter and Cpl. Yale, I will be able to see my son again. They gave me that opportunity.”

A week after the attack, the Marines with 3rd platoon, remember their fallen brethren as good friends and Marines

“Cpl. Yale was a great guy, really friendly and kind of shy,” said Hospitalman Eric Schwartz a corpsman with the platoon.

“Haerter was an amazing guy, I knew everything about him. He was my best friend.” said Lance Cpl. Cody Israel, a rifleman with 3rd platoon, Haerter’s roommate for more than a year and half.

Haerter and Yale were both posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and have been nominated for an award for their valor.

Editor’s Note: This story was written by Lance Corporal Casey Jones, a combat correspondent stationed in Camp Ramadi, Iraq. Jones recently completed a story on two Marines that were killed while defending their post. The Marines have been nominated for a Silver Star, the third highest award in the military, for their heroic actions that day.(WITN)

On the early morning of 7 August 09, SPC Lowe was part of a 5-man team patrolling in the Kapisa Province area along with ANA and coalition forces.   While traveling through one of the village hamlets lined with thick stone walls and mud brick houses, the insurgents unleashed a furious attack.  The insurgents were well prepared and it was almost as they were informed and anticipated their arrival.  Approximately 60-100 Taliban insurgents fired RPGs, AK-47’s, PKMs, and Ditska (equivalent of US 50-cal.) and other weapons at the approaching forces.   Lowe along with his team sought shelter in a kalat (mud-stone house inside a walled in compound).  Marine Captain Matt Freeman crawled on top of the roof looking for advantage points and was fatally hit by a bullet.  “Doc” the medic was trying to provide assistance and recover the body.  Doc yelled out for some help and Lowe’s reflexes took over as he scrambled up a ladder to the roof.  Doc was tugging on Captain Freeman’s body and Lowe apparently sensed the danger.  He grabbed Doc and threw him down.  About the same time, Lowe took a bullet to his upper right thigh area.  Both he and Doc fell off the roof to the ground.  Doc apparently fell on top of Lowe’s leg and thought he broke it because Lowe was yelling “My leg, my leg”.  But when the Doc saw the spurting blood, his medical training kicked into high gear and he applied a CAT tourniquet to stop the bleeding.
The femoral artery was nicked, but Doc was able to stabilize the bleeding and Lowe was transported out of the battle space to a helicopter landing zone.

It’s really painful when it’s mentioned that Joshua only had a few months left on his tour. He would have come home for good in February (he was quitting the military), and he wanted to start a family with his wife, Annalisa.