On April 14, 2004, Jason was on patrol in Iraq near the Syrian border with his unit K Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. The patrol encountered and attempted to subdue an insurgent. During the struggle the insurgent dropped a bomb. Jason selflessly ripped his helmet off his head and threw himself on top of the bomb using his helmet to try and deflect the blast.The insurgent, thrown clear of the blast, attempted to run but was immediately gunned down by fellow Marines. When the smoke cleared, Jason's helmet was ripped to shreds and Jason lay face down in a pool of blood.
Jason had received major shrapnel wounds to his face but he was alive. Jason would remain alive but unconscious for eight days before succumbing to his wounds at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda with his mother and father at his side. He was 22.
Jason's dedicated actions saved the lives of his fellow Marines. Due to his heroic actions, Jason was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in January of this year. No greater gift than for one man to lay his life down for a friend. Jason not only laid his life down for his friends and brothers but he laid it down for all of us. So that are families would not know the evil wrath that he faced on that fateful day.
God bless Cpl. Jason L. Dunham, American Hero. Thank you for what you did.
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