Heroic Last Stand, Camp Lejeune Marines Save 54 Other Lives
Editor’s Note: This story was written by Lance Corporal Casey Jones, a combat correspondent stationed in Camp Ramadi, Iraq. Jones recently completed a story on two Marines that were killed while defending their post. The Marines have been nominated for a Silver Star, the third highest award in the military, for their heroic actions that day.
RAMADI, IRAQ (April 29, 2008) – It was a typical quiet morning on April 22, with the temperature intensifying as a bright orange sun emerged high from the horizon.
Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter, a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, and Cpl. Jonathan T. Yale, a rifleman with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, RCT-1, were standing post, just as they’ve done numerous times before. During a standard length watch in a small checkpoint protected by concrete barriers where they overlooked the small gravel road, lined with palm trees leading to their entry control point.
However, this morning would be different. Quickly it would turn, chaotic then tragic. Two Marines would gallantly sacrifice their lives so others could live.
A truck packed with thousands of pounds of explosives entered the area where Haerter and Yale were standing guard. Realizing the vehicles intentions Haerter and Yale without hesitation stood their ground, drew their weapons and fired at the vehicle. The truck rolled to a stop and exploded, killing the two Marines.
“I was on post the morning of the attack,” said Lance Cpl. Benjamin Tupaj, a rifleman with 3rd Platoon, Police Transition Team 3, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines. “I heard the (squad automatic weapon) go off at a cyclic rate and then the detonation along with a flash. Then I heard a Marine start yelling ‘we got hit, we got hit.’ It was hectic.”
In the face of a committed enemy, Haerter and Yale stood their ground, in turn saving the lives of numerous Marines, sailors, Iraqi Policemen, and civilians. Both Marines displayed heroic, self-sacrificing actions and truly lived up to the Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment.
“They saved all of our lives, if it wasn’t for them that gate probably wouldn’t have held,” Tupaj said. “The explosion blew out all of the windows over 150 meters from where the blast hit. If that truck had made it into the compound, there would’ve been a lot more casualties. They saved everyone’s life here.”
According to official reports the heroic actions of Haerter and Yale’s saved the lives of the 33 Marines and 21 Iraqi Police as well as numerous civilians at the entry control point.
“They are heroes because thousands of pounds (of explosives) would’ve made its way through the gate and many more of us wouldn’t be here,” said Lance Cpl. Lawrence Tillery a rifleman with 3rd platoon. “I have a son back home, and I know if that truck would’ve made it to where it was going – I wouldn’t be here today. Because of Lance Cpl. Haerter and Cpl. Yale, I will be able to see my son again. They gave me that opportunity.”
A week after the attack, the Marines with 3rd platoon, remember their fallen brethren as good friends and Marines
“Cpl. Yale was a great guy, really friendly and kind of shy,” said Hospitalman Eric Schwartz a corpsman with the platoon.
“Haerter was an amazing guy, I knew everything about him. He was my best friend.” said Lance Cpl. Cody Israel, a rifleman with 3rd platoon, Haerter’s roommate for more than a year and half.
Haerter and Yale were both posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and have been nominated for an award for their valor.
(WITNTV.com)
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
Self-lessness is the hallmark of the Marines. Nothing here surprsises me. The ethos of a warrior is anathema to the Code Stinkers, the Huffpuffs and the Daily Kostic kiddies.
To join such a band of brothers is a honerable achievement. To give one’s life for a friend is the ultimate act of love.
Prayers for the families of these fine young warriors.
Chesty would be proud.
May 10th, 2008 at 9:15 amNone of us deserve such men.
It is ironic that the ability to produce such as these is what makes this country worth defending.
May 10th, 2008 at 9:27 amSemper Fi
May 10th, 2008 at 11:13 amSemper Fi Marines.
May 10th, 2008 at 11:37 amDan Daley and Smedley Butler would be just as proud as Chesty.
My heart goes out to L/Cpl Jordan Haerter and Cpl Jonathan T. Yale’s families and friends.
When you guys get off duty from guarding the streets of Heaven I’d love to buy you guys a beer in Tun Tavern!!
Semper Fi Brothers!
May 10th, 2008 at 12:46 pmCould not have been said better Dan. Semper Fi Brothers.
May 10th, 2008 at 3:03 pmSemper Fi Marines.
May 10th, 2008 at 3:41 pmSemper Fi brother
May 10th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Haerter is a long islander, and I wish his family well. I also wish the family of the other Marine well. MOH anyone? 
May 10th, 2008 at 4:38 pmone MARINE was just finishing is tour and ready to go home and the other just got there…one was relieving the other..
May 10th, 2008 at 4:51 pm“Lest I continue My complacent way Help me to remember Somewhere out there A man died for me today. — As long as there be war, I then must Ask and answer Am I worth dying for?”
May 10th, 2008 at 6:22 pmI can’t say it any better than this:
http://tinyurl.com/6oka66
Excerpt follows:
“That is the harsh reality of the service; sooner or later, we as a political entity, the United States, for the greater common good, take some of our young men, and toss them into meatgrinders of fire and lead, hellholes like Belleau Wood and Tarawa and Inchon, and now, Fallujah and Tikrit, from which many will not return. They suffer and die so that we may continue to live in the peace and comfort that is the norm for most in our nation, and to try to extend that peace and comfort to those that do not yet have it.”
Go read the whole thing….
May 13th, 2008 at 5:12 pm[…] a Silver Star, the third highest award in the military, for their heroic actions that day. (H/T to Pat and […]
May 14th, 2008 at 8:36 amRest well, brothers.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:38 amJob well done, rest easy.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:40 pm“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”
May 16th, 2008 at 9:55 pmThere is not enough Thanks I can give for all soldiers serving America and the people who can’t help themselves, as the flag says “You are not forgotten” we appreciate you all. Regards
May 20th, 2008 at 9:10 amTodd
It does’nt surprise me that our service folk would do something like this, heroes like that are what made this country the great nation it is. It is sad however that you would use the death of these heroes to support your idea that we should stay the course forever without change or any plan in spite of the fact that the reasons for this war were weapons that were never found, and then the reasons changed every few month, to folks like you apparently stuff like that is okay, and it is also apparently okay that the war on terrorism is not over and we’re stuck helping spread democracy to people who in all probability will vote to attack us within the next twenty years. Now yer probably thinkin I’m some leftist commie fool just because my opinion on national security differs from yours, and that is pretty fuckin gay, what’s even more gay is the fact that no visitor on your site will ever read this and chances are soon as you find out all this is not exactly condoning of your viewpoints, you will delete it, because folks like you don’t like to talk about stuff that matters to other Americans that don’t think like you. I support war but I sure as hell don’t support stupidity on the part of those that take us to war, and I’m sure our soldiers think the same because it’s their asses on the line ten thousand miles away from home. Maybe we should watch out for their best interests instead of just towin the same old line some politician tossed out for us. I seriously doubt though that you’ve read past the first few sentences if you did manage to get to this point, maybe you really are a real American and your not scared of different points of view, if not I hear they folks like you in China or Saudi Arabia. God bless America and God bless freedom, and I pray we always have this freedom in spite of enemies foreign and domestic.
June 8th, 2008 at 2:56 pmSemper Fi Marines.
June 9th, 2008 at 4:19 pmWell said Andrew. It does seem to use circular reasoning to say the war is noble because the Marines are noble. No doubt our military is awesome, and, like any Marine, if I could save a friend’s life with my own, I would, but that doesn’t mean my act justifies the war itself. You can hate the game, but don’t hate the playa.
June 10th, 2008 at 1:25 pmThe article doesn’t give their ages but I’ll assume they will be forever missed,forever loved, forever respected and forever young.
June 11th, 2008 at 9:38 pm[…] a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 9th marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, and Cpl. Jonathanhttp://patdollard.com/2008/05/heroic-last-stand-camp-lejeune-marines-save-54-other-lives/Weekly Casualty Lists: Week 26, Yr OEF+7This update covers a 2-week period. Third 2-week period in a […]
July 14th, 2008 at 7:32 pm