Josh Glover
MARINE RECEIVES SILVER STAR MEDAL
MARINE BARRACKS WASHINGTON, Washington D.C.(Oct. 28, 2005)
-- The annals of Marine Corps history are filled with
stories of men and women who have sacrificed their all in service
to their country. Puller, Basilone, Lejeune, Butler, Daley-names
that are synonymous with valor in combat and Marine Corps
lore.
"There is a fellowship of valor that links all U.S. Marines, past,
present, and future," said Joseph Alexander, retired Marine Colonel
in his book The Battle History of the U.S. Marines: A Fellowship of
Valor.
Now, another story of valor can be added to the Marine history
books and for one Marine officer assigned to the Corps' "Oldest
Post," that story is one of modesty and simply taking care of his
Marines.
Dallas native, Capt Joshua L. Glover was presented the nation's
third highest award for valor in combat-the Silver Star
medal.
Glover, a 2001 United States Naval Academy graduate, received his
award during a chilly early morning ceremony held aboard the Post
Oct 28, 2005 from the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General
Michael W. Hagee.
The 26-year-old received the award for conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as 81mm
Mortar Platoon Commander with Weapons Company and Quick Reaction
Force Platoon Commander, 1st Marine Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment,
1st Marine Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on April
13, 2004 in Al Fallujah.
When asked about the award, Glover humbly diverts attention away
from himself.
"I received this award because of something we did as a platoon,
and I am really proud of what we accomplished that day," he
said.
Occurring during the second of his three deployments to Iraq,
Glover led and directed his platoon through enemy lines to recover
classified material from a downed CH-53 helicopter. The platoon was
attacked by Iraqi forces employing machinegun, small arms and
rocket-propelled grenade fire. Glover skillfully maneuvered his
force and assaulted through the ambush to friendly lines,
inflicting numerous enemy casualties.
After successfully completing the mission, Glover was ordered that
same evening to recover a destroyed Assault Amphibious Vehicle and
assist in the rescue of a besieged rifle platoon deep behind enemy
lines. Glover and his Marines found themselves up against a
company-sized Iraqi force along the enemy's main line of resistance
where as stated in Glover's Silver Star citation, "...he repeatedly
exposed himself to enemy fire as he engaged enemy targets at
point-blank range while directing the rifle platoon's relief and
coordinating recovery operations."
Glover attributes the battle as a success because of the hard work
of the Marines in his charge, and his common sense approach to
leadership.
"When you train Marines you have to get them to focus on the
basics. In a chaotic situation such as combat, the basics will get
them through," said Glover.
According to Glover, it's more than just training that makes a
platoon of Marines successful in combat. Strong leadership in your
Non-Commissioned Officers is vital. In order to be successful, with
the dispersion between elements in today's combat environments,
your NCOs have to be equipped and empowered to make decisions, he
said.
And through something very challenging, Glover has earned a new
outlook on his life.
"I have learned to appreciate what we have here in the U.S., both
the general safety we enjoy and the quality of our lives," said
Glover.
And while the battle for which Glover was awarded was a success,
he feels the enormity of the price that was paid.
"I lost a Marine that day, as did another unit in the battalion.
We can not separate [the victory from the loss], and I think we
need to do our best to make them and their families proud," he
said.
For those Marines who have been called upon to defend freedom in
far off lands, sacrifice is the common thread that binds them
together. The desire to join their brethren in combat keeps them
ready to go. And, at the Corps' "Oldest Post," another story can be
added to the history books--one of sacrifice, humility and
valor.
Source: http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...E?opendocument
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