Photo By Master Sgt. Warren Wright | Marine Cpl. Cory J. Gibson of Lacey, Wash., stands at attention after receiving the...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE LOUIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Initiative, courage and dedication are just a few of the words used to describe the heroic and selfless actions taken by then Lance Cpl. Cory J. Gibson after his squad was hit by an improvised explosive device while assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan.
For his heroic actions on Aug. 26, 2009 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Gibson was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with the Combat Distinguishing Device in a ceremony held at the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center here, Monday, Nov. 1.
According to the Secretary of the Navy Instruction 1650.1g, the Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.
“The Marine Corps puts a lot of weight on combat awards,” said Capt. Lance Day who served as Gibson’s company commander during their tour in Afghanistan. “As a company commander, to have a Marine with the guts to do what he did, it’s an absolute bonus. It’s something I’ll never forget.”
Gibson, a resident of Lacey, Wash., distinguished himself by taking immediate action to help his injured squad mates after the explosion. The IED injured seven out of the eight Marines in the squad, including Gibson’s squad leader who suffered severe arterial bleeding.
Injured himself, Gibson moved from Marine to Marine, providing first aid to those who needed it and radioed a situation report and a request for support from his higher headquarters.
Once the medical evacuation helicopters arrived on scene, Gibson helped carry his injured comrades to the casualty evacuation site, carrying some Marines more than 100 meters with a full combat load.
Wounded with a severe concussion and fragmentation wounds to his lower extremities, Gibson refused to take a seat on the evacuation helicopter, waiting until all of his fellow Marines who were more severely wounded were evacuated.
“Today we’re here to present an award to (Gibson) for his actions and participation in Operation Enduring freedom over there in Afghanistan. It’s quite a story and I’m humbled by it,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Raftery, the inspector instructor for the 4th Marine Landing Support Battalion based here. “Few words can sum up what kind of Marine Cpl Gibson is.”
“He took the initiative right away,” said Raftery. “It took courage to carry on and bring his fellow marines to safety.”
“The Strength, the bearing, the love for fellow marines, your actions and presence of mind; take all that and it sums up, in my eyes, a hero and a dedicated marine,” said Raftery.
When speaking to Gibson, Raftery said, “I know you don’t consider yourself a hero, but in my eyes, you’re a hero to me, you’re a hero to that battalion.”
“I didn’t do what I did for the award,” said Gibson. “It feels like a big deal, but it’s not a big deal. I’m glad I got it and I’m glad they recognized me, but I would have rather not lived that day.”
Even though Gibson would prefer to have not experienced the event, it has not swayed his dedication to his country and to the Marine Corps. Gibson, currently a college student, is planning on re-enlisting in the active duty Marine Corps so that he can deploy again and serve alongside his fellow Marines.
| Date Taken: | 11.01.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.03.2010 17:18 |
| Story ID: | 59374 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 236 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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