Post by Admin on Jun 21, 2021 6:32:39 GMT
Lance Corporal Ian Dollard took 2 bullets in his body armor while shielding his wounded platoon commander from enemy fire. Without thought for his own potential injuries, Dollard remained exposed to treat the lieutenant's wounds and drag him to safety. In the process, Dollard was shot a third time in the leg. Support arrived and took both wounded Marines to the aid station, where Dollard continued helping with the transport of other casualties before being treated himself. For his outstanding courage and unselfishness, Dollard was awarded the Silver Star.
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"...serving as Fire Team Leader, Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 06-08. On 24 June 2007, while investigating a vehicle near Saqlawiyah, LCpl Dollard's squad was ambushed by precision small arms and machine gun fire. He immediately returned suppressive fire, allowing the other squad members to move to the aid of a Marine wounded in the attack. As the enemy withdrew from its position, the squad came under an attack by automatic weapons fire from a second position, inflicting two gunshot wounds on his platoon commander. Without regard for his own safety, he maneuvered across open ground to his Lieutenant's aid. Within seconds of reaching him, he shielded his Lieutenant's body from direct exposure and was struck twice in his upper torso body armor. Though dazed, he initiated medical care for his commander. As rounds continued to impact around him, he dragged his platoon commander 25 meters to cover to continue first aid. Seconds later, LCpl Dollard was struck in the leg by small arms fire. Refusing medical care, he directed his team's efforts towards stabilizing the platoon commander. As support arrived, he climbed into a vehicle whereupon his squad moved to the forward aid station. Upon arrival, he assisted the aid and litter teams with the other casualties before being treated for his own wounds."