News From The Front

USMC Cpl. Richard S. Weinmaster's Navy Cross citation:

"For extraordinary heroism while serving as Automatic Rifleman, 3d Platoon, Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, Marine Corps Forces, Central Command (Forward) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 8 July 2008. Private First Class Weinmaster's squad was conducting a dismounted patrol down a narrow side street in the Sangin District of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces ambushed the squad with medium machine gun fire and hand grenades. Upon contact, Private First Class Weinmaster immediately began engaging the enemy positions with his squad automatic weapon. As he delivered suppressive fire and assaulted the enemy, encountering a withering volume of fire that passed within meters of his position, Private First Class Weinmaster saw two hand grenades tossed over a wall land in the middle of his patrol. Noting where the grenades landed, he quickly placed himself between the grenade and his fire team leader, using his body to shield both his team leader and several other Marines from the blast, which occurred immediately. Private First Class Weinmaster was seriously injured when the grenade detonated, but his valorous actions prevented his fire team leader from receiving any shrapnel. Although he was critically wounded, Private First Class Weinmaster continued to carry on the attack, engaging enemy forces with accurate weapons fire and forcing them to break contact, until he collapsed from the gravity of his wounds. By his outstanding display of decisive action, unlimited courage in the face of extreme danger, and total dedication to duty, Private First Class Weinmaster reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service"

Rich is a Corporal now, and the shrapnel that blinded him in one eye remains in his brain, inoperable, but not preventing him from continuing his service in the Marine Corps.

Rich says, ""I didn't do anything special. Everyone on my left and right would have done the same thing. I was just in the right place at the right time."

Oohrah, Rich. And of course, Semper Fi.