NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) — U.S. Navy Sailors from the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) visited Scio, New York, the hometown of U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jason L. Dunham, to honor the ship’s namesake and strengthen ties with the local community through engagements with local residents and veterans, as well as Cpl. Dunham’s family.
Cpl. Dunham was born and raised in Scio, New York and graduated from Scio Central School in 2000 before joining the U.S. Marine Corps. As a Lance Corporal serving with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines during Operation Iraqi Freedom, he sacrificed his life on April 14, 2004, while on a patrol in Husaybah, Iraq, by covering a live grenade with his helmet and body to protect his fellow Marines. As a result, he was grievously wounded and passed away eight days later due to his wounds. For this selfless courageous act, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and promoted to Corporal.
“Our visit to Scio was a profound reminder of the courage and character embodied by our ship’s namesake,” said Cmdr. Aaron Jefferson III, commanding officer, USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109). “We are honored to stand in the community that shaped Corporal Dunham and to celebrate his life with them. The Scio community overwhelmed us with their kindness and patriotism. We look forward to future events like this one in the future.”
14 Sailors from the Jason Duham spent three days engaging with the local community. Events were organized by the Allegany County Veterans’ Agency, led by director retired Master Chief Michael Middaugh. On January 16, the crew had an engagement with the leadership from the Allegany County Veterans’ Agency as well as with Cpl. Dunham’s parents, Deb and Dan Dunham. Events for the rest of the weekend consisted of spending time with Scio residents and veterans, a tour of Cpl. Dunham’s high school, and a graveside memorial service.
USS Jason Dunham is warship designed to conduct a wide range of maritime operations, including air warfare, surface warfare, strike warfare, and anti-submarine warfare in support of national security and global maritime stability. The ship recently completed a successful combat deployment in the Red Sea defending maritime shipping as well as a deployment to the Caribbean in support of counter-narcotics operations.