Post by oldhippy on Aug 24, 2019 17:35:59 GMT
Hospital Corpsman Third Class Jonathan sprinted into raining bullets to rescue Corporal Michael Dawers after he was shot in the chest. After suppressing the enemy, risking his life, and rescuing Dawers, HM3 Kong provided life-saving medical care. For his heroic, unselfish act, HM3 Kong was awarded the Silver Star.
“There’s so many guys out there doing so many incredible things, and they don't always get recognized for it,” said Kong later. “I was just kind of out there doing my job, and you know, a Marine gets hit and you don’t really think.”
"...serving as Corpsman, 2d Platoon, Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, 2d Marine Division (Forward), SECOND Marine Division (Forward), on 13 June 2011 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. During a battalion clearing operations in the village of Kotozay, Hospital Corpsman Third Class Kong courageously fought through an enemy ambush to save the life of a wounded Marine. As he patrolled with the assault element through a maze of compounds, the Marine in front of him was shot in the chest and fell in an open area with bullets striking the ground around him. While moving to aid the wounded Marine a heavy volume of enemy machinegun fire pinned Hospital Corpsman Third Class Kong down. He identified the enemy firing position and engaged the enemy with his rifle but the enemy fire was unrelenting. As he observed enemy fire dangerously approaching the wounded Marine, Hospital Corpsman Third Class Kong courageously rushed from his covered position, boldly charged into the kill zone dodging a hail of bullets, and reached the casualty. He positively identified the enemy firing positions, returned effective fire, and while continuously exposed to the enemy, stood up and pulled the wounded Marine more than fifteen meters to a covered position. He immediately provided life-saving aid to the wounded Marine and calmly relayed the necessary information to the squad leader for a successful casualty evacuation."