Photo By Sgt. Shannon Yount | Lance Cpl. Vidal E. Sanchez III, turret gunner with the commanding general’s...... read more read more
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – A Marine from Naples, Fla., was awarded the Purple Heart Medal here, Dec. 6, for injuries suffered during a recent security escort mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Lance Cpl. Vidal E. Sanchez III was presented the medal by Brig. Gen. Charles L. Hudson, commanding general of 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), and Sgt. Maj. Antonio N. Vizcarrondo Jr., sergeant major of 1st MLG (FWD), for suffering a grade-three concussion during combat operations, Nov. 2.
Sanchez was the turret gunner for the lead vehicle of a combat logistics patrol that was headed to Forward Operating Base Edinburgh. He and his team were providing security for the 1st MLG (FWD) commanding general.
Sanchez remembers the last few moments leading up to his injury.
“People were moving away from us as we entered the town, and vehicles were moving to get away,” said Sanchez, lead gunner for the commanding general’s personal security detachment, Security Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 15 (Forward), 1st MLG (FWD).
The next thing Sanchez remembered was an improvised explosive device blast, which knocked him unconscious.
The truck almost flipped over because of the explosion, said Lance Cpl. Dustin L. Gibbs, who was driving the vehicle Sanchez was in.
Sanchez awoke to his friend, who was serving as the vehicle commander, yelling in pain from an injury to his legs.
After noticing his friend was injured, Sanchez pulled his friend to where he was standing and positioned him up against his legs.
As the corpsman treated the wounded vehicle commander, Sanchez remembered hearing small-arms fire around him. He immediately began shouting to his fellow Marines the location of the enemy.
“Vidal was telling us where to shoot, where they were,” said Gibbs. “All the training he received was second nature to him.”
Sanchez’s actions that day went above and beyond what was expected, said Gibbs, 21, a native of Oceanside, Calif.
Sanchez is proud to receive the medal and to have served alongside his fellow Marines who faced danger with unwavering courage.
“When I look at the medal, I just think of my corporal and all the guys before me who earned it,” he said. “I am honored that I have received it and won’t forget it.”
| Date Taken: | 12.06.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.08.2010 06:52 |
| Story ID: | 61548 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 631 |
| Downloads: | 7 |
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