Project Hero: Navy Cross Recipient, 1Lt Brian Chontosh
McQ, writing at Q and O has started something he calls “Project Hero”. Here’s how he introduces it:
For those of you that don’t know, I mentioned a few days back that I was surprised to learn 208 Silver Stars had been awarded in Iraq. Apparently heroism isn’t newsworthy enough for most of the MSM. So in an effort to change that, I’ve embarked on a bit of a personal crusade called “Project Hero”, where I will highlight the heroism of some of our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
His first featured hero is 1Lt Brian Chontosh who was awarded the second-highest citation for valor in action, the Navy Cross. The citation is here and this story, courtesy of the US Marines, tells the story in a more narrative format.
While leading his platoon north on Highway 1 toward Ad Diwaniyah, Chontosh’s platoon moved into a coordinated ambush of mortars, rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapons fire. With coalitions tanks blocking the road ahead, he realized his platoon was caught in a kill zone.
He had his driver move the vehicle through a breach along his flank, where he was immediately taken under fire from an entrenched machine gun. Without hesitation, Chontosh ordered the driver to advanced directly at the enemy position enabling his .50 caliber machine gunner to silence the enemy.
He then directed his driver into the enemy trench, where he exited his vehicle and began to clear the trench with an M16A2 service rifle and 9 millimeter pistol. His ammunition depleted, Chontosh, with complete disregard for his safety, twice picked up discarded enemy rifles and continued his ferocious attack.
When a Marine following him found an enemy rocket propelled grenade launcher, Chontosh used it to destroy yet another group of enemy soldiers.
When his audacious attack ended, he had cleared over 200 meters of the enemy trench, killing more than 20 enemy soldiers and wounding several others.
McQ plans to feature a different hero every week. I’ll also be posting about that hero here. So check back at the end of every week to meet our newest member of Project Hero.
No related posts.
Category: Fighting the Islamists, Project Hero
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