Evan Dawson (Scio, NY) 05/27/04 - Corporal Jason Dunham, 22, of Allegany County died a hero?s death last month. His actions could earn him the nation's highest honor.
President Bush will decide if Cpl. Dunham should receive the medal of honor. Senator Chuck Schumer wrote the president a letter recommending he award Dunham the honor.
Jason Dunham loved his family. When he served in Iraq, the marines were his family. Last month he proved his dedication when an Iraqi insurgent attacked his unit and dropped a grenade.
When Jason saw the Iraqi drop the grenade, he could have run. But witnesses said he was concerned for the safety of two other Marines nearby. So he took off his helmet, used it to cover the grenade, and laid his body across the bomb, knowing he would take the blast instead of his friends.
Jason?s father Dan Dunham said, "When the phone rings at 11:30 at night, we know where it's coming from?he asked me if my son was Jason L. Dunham, and I said, 'yes.' He said your son's been involved in an explosion, and he's listed as critical with a head injury."
Jason survived for another week but never regained onsciousness. On April 22nd at a naval hospital in Maryland, his parents spent their final hours with their son before a doctor removed his life support.
Just four years ago Jason's face was everywhere in the high school yearbook. He was a three-sport star. He was voted best looking and best smile.
His coaches were not surprised that Jason would throw himself on a grenade to protect others.
His Basketball Coach Matt Moretti said, "To be honest with you, my first thought was, 'I wish he hadn't.' Because then we wouldn't have lost him. But knowing Jason, it wasn't even an option."
Cpl. Dunham's fellow marines have now nominated him for the congressional medal of honor, an award reserved for the truest of heroes.
No American has earned the medal since 1993.
Jason's soccer coach Alan Barber said, "I think he definitely deserves it, and I think everyone in the Marine Corps agrees that he deserves it, or else we wouldn't be to this point. It won't be cherished just by a community, but by the entire Marine Corps."
For now, the yellow ribbons seen on many trees in Scio remind everyone in Jason?s hometown that is the bravest man they've ever known.
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President Bush will decide if Cpl. Dunham should receive the medal of honor. Senator Chuck Schumer wrote the president a letter recommending he award Dunham the honor.
Jason Dunham loved his family. When he served in Iraq, the marines were his family. Last month he proved his dedication when an Iraqi insurgent attacked his unit and dropped a grenade.
When Jason saw the Iraqi drop the grenade, he could have run. But witnesses said he was concerned for the safety of two other Marines nearby. So he took off his helmet, used it to cover the grenade, and laid his body across the bomb, knowing he would take the blast instead of his friends.
Jason?s father Dan Dunham said, "When the phone rings at 11:30 at night, we know where it's coming from?he asked me if my son was Jason L. Dunham, and I said, 'yes.' He said your son's been involved in an explosion, and he's listed as critical with a head injury."
Jason survived for another week but never regained onsciousness. On April 22nd at a naval hospital in Maryland, his parents spent their final hours with their son before a doctor removed his life support.
Just four years ago Jason's face was everywhere in the high school yearbook. He was a three-sport star. He was voted best looking and best smile.
His coaches were not surprised that Jason would throw himself on a grenade to protect others.
His Basketball Coach Matt Moretti said, "To be honest with you, my first thought was, 'I wish he hadn't.' Because then we wouldn't have lost him. But knowing Jason, it wasn't even an option."
Cpl. Dunham's fellow marines have now nominated him for the congressional medal of honor, an award reserved for the truest of heroes.
No American has earned the medal since 1993.
Jason's soccer coach Alan Barber said, "I think he definitely deserves it, and I think everyone in the Marine Corps agrees that he deserves it, or else we wouldn't be to this point. It won't be cherished just by a community, but by the entire Marine Corps."
For now, the yellow ribbons seen on many trees in Scio remind everyone in Jason?s hometown that is the bravest man they've ever known.
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