Monday, December 04, 2006

Salute to US Marine Sergeant Major Bradley A. Kasal!


"Even the pagan Roman Legions had a special award for the soldier who saved the life of a comrade in combat!"


Source: DAV Magazine, November-December, 2006.

TAKE NOTE: One of the benefits that comes with lifetime membership in the DAV is a lifetime subscription to this magazine!

"On Nov. 14, 2004, Marines were fighting house-to-house in Fallujah, Iraq."

The story goes on to say some Marines were pinned down by intense enemy fire and unable to escape from one corner of the action, a place later dubbed "hell house."

Then-First Sergeant Kasal, "a Weapons Company first sergeant for 3rd Battalion, Ist Marine Regiment, Ist Marine Division," said:

"I'm not going to leave Marines behind in the hands of insurgents at any cost. I was told they were wounded. I was afraid of them ending up on television being beheaded later. I knew we had to get there fast, we had to get in [into Hell House] and get them."

As the article continues, author D. Clare tells us:

"The house was a death trap. Upon entering, Kasal killed one insurgent at extreme close range. [¡Ora, UTEP! The author is talking a quema ropa here, you can bet on it!] AK-47 gunfire was erupting from all directions, and he took his first hit from behind."

While bandaging one wounded and left-behind Marine, Kasal protected him by covering an incoming enemy grenade.

When other Marines followed their First Sergeant's leadership example by also fighting their way into Hell House, Kasal refused treatment until the other wounded Marine was "treated and evacuated."

"In battle, Kasal was shot seven times and sustained more than 40 shrapnel wounds.

"According to the Marine Corps, he lost more than 60 percent of his blood from the wounds.

"Kasal lost four and a half inches of leg, and underwent more than 20 surgeries."

To me, personally, a really first class colored photo on the same page as this article says it all; it shows a tableau of three Marines, with Kasal in the middle still holding his regulation side arm.

And the caption tells us:

"Still holding his 9mm Beretta, a seriously injured First Sgt. Brad Kabal[sic.] is carried from a house by Lance Cpls. Chris Marquez [¡Ora, MEChA!] and Dan Shaffer [¡Ora, UTEP!] on Nov. 13, 2004. Though Kasal has yet to be recognized for his deeds, they have already become the stuff of legend for this generation of Marines [¡Adelante, DESTINO!]."

To which I can only say by way of an addition: "Amen to all that!"

Because Marines like Sergeant Major Kasal are the "stuff of legend" for all generations of Marines!

"Greater love hath no man than this: to lay down his life for his friend."



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