Post by bazooka on Jan 16, 2020 10:37:41 GMT
Lance Corporal Aaron Austin led the battered remains of his platoon to a Fallujah rooftop to fight off the enemy force trying to overwhelm their position. Dozens of RPGs and thousands of machine gun rounds had already hit the Marines, and the insurgents were getting closer. Austin and the others got to the roof and returned fire. He saw a group advancing and pulled a grenade from his vest. As he prepared to throw, several machine gun bullets tore through his chest. Despite the wounds, Austin remained in place and threw the grenade with incredible accuracy, stopping the insurgents and allowing the Marines to regain momentum. He collapsed and other Marines and Corpsmen began CPR and medical treatment. Tragically, Austin's wounds were too severe and proved fatal. For his heroic initiative and bravery, Austin was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. He was 21 years old.
"...serving as Machine Gun Team Leader, Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II on 26 April 2004. At 1100, a numerically superior enemy force attacked LCpl Austin's platoon from three different directions. In the first 15 minutes of the attack, the enemy fired dozens of RPGs, thousands of machine gun rounds, and then assaulted to within 20 meters of LCpl Austin's position. While throwing grenades and spraying their positions with AK-47 fire, 16 of his fellow Marines on the rooftop position were wounded, some severely. After ensuring his wounded platoon members received medical treatment, he rallied the few remaining members of his platoon and rushed to the critical rooftop defensive position. Braving withering enemy machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire, he reached the rooftop and prepared to throw a hand grenade. As he moved into a position from which to throw his grenade, enemy machine gun fire struck LCpl Austin multiple times in the chest. Undaunted by his injuries and with heroic effort, LCpl Austin threw his grenade, which exploded amidst the enemy, halting their furious attack."