Some Marines Simply Refuse To Die!

rcecale · rcecale's Garage

Royal Marine who jumped on grenade awarded George Cross

L/Cpl Matthew Croucher will become part of a select of group of just 20 living George Cross holders when the Queen awards him the medal, which is given for acts showing the same level of heroism as the Victoria Cross.

The Marine had less than seven seconds to make up his mind on whether to risk sacrificing his own life to save his friends when the hand grenade rolled onto the ground during an operation in Afghanistan earlier this year.

Without hesitating he chose to chance death and save his three fellow Royal Marines.

Randy

cairns · 07-23-2008, 09:35 AM

Just incredible valor. Thank God he lived to be recognized.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

He didn't have permission to die. So he didn't. More power to him and my sincerest admiration for his decision.

Hard-Deck · 07-23-2008, 09:41 AM

Awesome act of selfless service.

Moses · 07-23-2008, 09:44 AM

Back to combat in less than an hour. Incredible.

"L/Cpl Croucher was examined by a medic who recommended he should be evacuated but the Marine, who has completed three tours of Iraq, was determined to stay to fight the Taliban and within an hour had shot an insurgent approaching their position. "

mike55 · 07-23-2008, 09:46 AM

..now that's courage and generosity!

Seric · 07-23-2008, 10:23 AM

Oorah.

legion · 07-23-2008, 10:28 AM

Marines are a breed apart. Tough as nails 'til the day they "move on".

Remember the story about the 70+ year-old marine that shot two gangbangers when they tried to rob the Subway he was buying a sandwich at?

legion · 07-23-2008, 10:28 AM

Marines are a breed apart. Tough as nails 'til the day they "move on".

Remember the story about the 70+ year-old marine that shot two gangbangers when they tried to rob the Subway he was buying a sandwich at?

Superman · 07-23-2008, 11:11 AM

No biggie. I jump on live grenades all the time. Why....just yesterday I had a chance to lay on top of a stick of dynamite. Witnesses say I was thrown at least fifty feet in the air and it scorched my necktie a little, but it was worth it. Really fun.

rcecale · rcecale's Garage

Try that with a pocketful of kryptonite, tuff guy!

Randy

Seahawk · 07-23-2008, 11:28 AM

I've said it before on this forum...the guys and gals that have been pulling the load for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan are the next greatest generation. Just watch.

I've been there, met them and was always humbled...an old helicopter pilot among incredible young men and women from all services and countries. When I read all the, 'America is doomed' threads I always think of them and smile.

BTW, I don't need any naysayers. Start your own thread. Semper Fi, Randy.

m21sniper · 07-23-2008, 11:28 AM

This is a most interesting thread coming on the heals of the bullet weight thread.

And a hell of a story, thanks for posting it!

Here's a picture of the Royal Marine Commando in question.

onewhippedpuppy · 07-23-2008, 11:32 AM

How can you be anything but impressed? Their commitment and sacrifice is unbelievable.

rcecale · rcecale's Garage

Emotional Sarah Kennedy breaks down in tears live on air over hero soldier

Veteran broadcaster Sarah Kennedy burst into tears live on-air during her BBC Radio 2 show today.

The 58-year-old was reading highlights from this morning's newspapers when she broke down crying over a story about a soldier who will receive the George Cross for bravery.

Randy

Superman · 07-23-2008, 02:04 PM

All joking aside, and knowing I have said this before, the one thing that strikes me the most about humans is the incredible RANGE of their behaviors. On the one hand, humans can commit the most horrific, unspeakable horrors upon each other. I won't even give you and example, simply because the stuff I am talking about here is truly unspeakable. Horrific. But on the other hand, humans regularly lay down their lives for people they don't even know. As a fellow human, I have felt both shame and pride. Extreme shame and extreme pride. This story of course makes me proud.

Marines. If I were to serve in the military, I would prefer to be a Marine. Why? Two reasons. First, they are the finest. Best trained. Most disciplined. These are our "go to" people. And the second reason is glamour. United States Marines have the finest dress blue uniforms in the Solar System.

Seric · 07-23-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman

United States Marines have the finest dress blue uniforms in the Solar System.

NO doubt. A friend of mine who graduated a year before me, came home from boot to take a classmate of mine to the prom. He shows up in his blues and EVERY single girl, including my date, fell outta their chairs.

m21sniper · 07-23-2008, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman

Marines. If I were to serve in the military, I would prefer to be a Marine. Why? Two reasons. First, they are the finest. Best trained. Most disciplined. These are our "go to" people. And the second reason is glamour. United States Marines have the finest dress blue uniforms in the Solar System.

The second reason is sound, but the first is not. It's simply untrue.

US Army Delta Forces and US Navy SEALs are the most highly trained and disciplined troops in the US military. They are our "go to people". The next step below them would be US Army Special forces.

Marine Recon and/or counter-terror types would be the rough equivalent to Army Rangers. Both are elites, but nowhere near to the level of those listed above.

What the Marines have are fancy uniforms and very good PR.

Superman · 07-23-2008, 02:57 PM

Oh yeah? Well I see Army Rangers, Navy Seals and US Marines fight all the time (it seems they can't handle the beer I serve at my barbecues). Anyway, the Marines kick their asses every time.

Joeaksa · 07-23-2008, 03:12 PM

One of the best things to watch is the USMC Silent Drill Platoon. Do it in person if possible. If not, look here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YygD7_ZQNI0