Post by merc on Nov 11, 2019 10:09:08 GMT
Private First Class Christopher S. Adlesperger killed 11 Iraqi insurgents in close quarters combat, rescuing two wounded Marines and wiping out the enemy stronghold.
On November 10, 2004, PFC Adlesperger and the Marines of Kilo 3/5 swept the Jolan District of Fallujah. His squad entered the courtyard of a house and came under immediate machine gun fire from a concealed enemy force. The point man was instantly killed, and the next two Marines severely wounded. Adlesperger and the remainder of the squad fought back as grenades and sniper bullets added to the machine gun fire less than 20 yards away. A grenade exploded so close that shrapnel bloodied his face. Adlesperger moved to a stairwell on an adjacent house. Working alone, he cleared the stairs and rooftop, then helped the wounded move to the roof for medical treatment and evacuation. Looking down now at the enemy stronghold, Adlesperger saw insurgents attempting to steal the rifle from the Marine still in the courtyard. Adlesperger dropped the insurgent with a single shot. He blasted holes through the side of the house with his M203 grenade launcher, exposing more enemy positions. He fearlessly exposed himself to a great volume of fire, killing four more in the courtyard as they attempted to run.
When the wounded were prepared for evacuation and the Marine KIA had been recovered, Adlesperger returned to the street. Demanding to take point, he prepared to enter the house and finally destroy the machine gun that killed his friend. A Marine AAV drove through the wall beside the machine gun position. Adlesperger rushed into the courtyard once more, closed the distance, and killed the insurgent manning the gun.
When the battle concluded, the unit determined Adlesperger killed at least 11 insurgents in the house, all of them at close quarters. His face bled from the shrapnel, and his blouse had bullet holes in the sleeve and collar. For his inspiring bravery and fearless courage, Adlesperger was nominated for the Medal of Honor. The nomination made its way through the military bureaucracy, eventually being downgraded to a Navy Cross and awarded in 2007.
Tragically, Adlesperger would have received either award posthumously. One month after the house in Fallujah, Adlesperger took point entering another house in the city. Machine gun bullets stuck his vest, spinning him around and entering the side of his body. A round passed through his heart, killing him instantly.
When the wounded were prepared for evacuation and the Marine KIA had been recovered, Adlesperger returned to the street. Demanding to take point, he prepared to enter the house and finally destroy the machine gun that killed his friend. A Marine AAV drove through the wall beside the machine gun position. Adlesperger rushed into the courtyard once more, closed the distance, and killed the insurgent manning the gun.
When the battle concluded, the unit determined Adlesperger killed at least 11 insurgents in the house, all of them at close quarters. His face bled from the shrapnel, and his blouse had bullet holes in the sleeve and collar. For his inspiring bravery and fearless courage, Adlesperger was nominated for the Medal of Honor. The nomination made its way through the military bureaucracy, eventually being downgraded to a Navy Cross and awarded in 2007.
Tragically, Adlesperger would have received either award posthumously. One month after the house in Fallujah, Adlesperger took point entering another house in the city. Machine gun bullets stuck his vest, spinning him around and entering the side of his body. A round passed through his heart, killing him instantly.