Dunham: On April 14, 2004, 22 year old, Corporal Dunham from Scio, NY selflessly gave his own life to protect the lives of the members of his squadron by placing his helmet over a dropped live grenade and then covering it with his own body.
Dunham Memorial Scholarship.Ībout Corporal Jason L. Concert promoters received more than $1,200 in donations for the Cpl. Reynolds was joined by the Lee County Concert Choir. During the concert which included both gospel and patriotic music, Mrs. Later that evening, a Benefit Concert was held featuring renowned gospel artist Mrs. The display also included a framed United States Flag transported by the 169th Air Squadron (Peoria Air Guard) to the battlefield in Iraq and returned to the Dunham Family in honor of Corporal Dunham. David Carter of North Little Rock, Arkansas of the soon to be commissioned US Navy guided-missile destroyer, USS Jason Dunham-DDG109. The cabinet also features a glass enclosed area which houses a scale model designed by Mr. Allen, who never personally met Corporal Dunham, was also the designer and creator of the cherry cabinet memorial that features two Lithophane photographs of Corporal Dunham, carved in acrylic and backlit to reveal its beauty. Kincaid of Ridgeway.Īfter the moving story of Corporal Dunham’s heroism was relayed by his commanding officer Major Trent Gibson, the ceremonies moved to Ridgeway’s VFW Post 5887 where the official unveiling, placement and dedication of the memorial was presented by Mr. Also in attendance was Jason’s sister Katie and grandparents Mr.
The full day of events began in Ridgeway at the First Presbyterian Church as four members of the US Marine Color Guard walked slowly down the aisle of the church to make a presentation of the American Flag to Deb and Dan Dunham, parents of Corporal Dunham. The dedication was made honoring his selfless act as he gave his own life on Apto save his fellow comrades in Iraq. Dunham, gathered to permanently memorialize his life and sacrifice in Ridgeway, Pennsylvania at the dedication of the Jason L. Just a few days before the nation celebrated the 4th of July friends, family and people who had never even met Medal of Honor Recipient Corporal Jason L. Unveiling Ceremony Includes Memorial, Concert and Presentation of Colorswritten by: Connie Ratisseau He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife and two children. PHILLIPS, a staff reporter for the Wall Street Journal, has done four tours in Iraq with the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines. Naval InstituteĪWARDS: WINNER 2006 - New York Public Library Books for the Teen AgeĪBOUT THIS AUTHOR: MICHAEL M. “Stands head and shoulders above previous Iraq books.” - Proceedings, U.S. “The story of extraordinary valor on the part of a brave marine.” - H. Phillips has captured the fear, bravery and confusion of the war.” -Tucson Citizen “One of the first great books to be spawned by the war in Iraq. Dunham leaves an indelible mark upon all who know his story, from the doctors and nurses who treat him, to the readers of the original Wall Street Journal article that told of his singular act of valor. His account of Dunham’s eight-day journey home and of his parents’ heartrending reunion with their son powerfully illustrates the cold brutality of war and the fragile humanity of those who fight it. Phillips’s minute-by-minute chronicle of the chaotic fighting that raged throughout the area and culminated in Dunham’s injury provides a grunt’s-eye view of war as it’s being fought today-fear, confusion, bravery, and suffering set against a brotherhood forged in combat. Dunham was subsequently nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for military valor. The Marines beside him were seriously wounded. When the smoke cleared, Dunham’s helmet was in shreds, and the corporal lay face down in his own blood. Fighting hand-to-hand in the dirt, Dunham saw his attacker drop a grenade and made the instantaneous decision to place his own helmet over the explosive in the hope of containing the blast and protecting his men.
Corporal Dunham was on patrol near the Syrian border, on April 14, 2004, when a black-clad Iraqi leaped out of a car and grabbed him around his neck. Phillips discovered while he was embedded with a Marine infantry battalion in the Iraqi desert. One of these is Jason Dunham, a twenty-two-year-old Marine corporal from the one-stoplight town of Scio, New York, whose stunning story reporter Michael M. Dunham's sacrifice and the reason that he was the man that he was.Įvery day ordinary young Americans are fighting and dying in Iraq, with the same bravery, honor, and sense of duty that have distinguished American troops throughout history. Deb Dunham was gracious enough to mail me a copy of the book "Gift of Valor".