Jason Dunham

Jason Lee Dunham was a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps who served with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. He is remembered for an extraordinary act of valor during the Iraq War, for which he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration. His service and sacrifice have made him a symbol of the selflessness and courage characteristic of the Marine Corps.

On April 14, 2004, while leading his rifle squad on a reconnaissance mission in Husaybah, Iraq, Dunham's platoon was engaged by enemy forces. During the ensuing firefight near the Syrian border, an insurgent released a live hand grenade near Dunham and several of his fellow Marines. Without hesitation, Corporal Dunham made the deliberate decision to sacrifice his own life to save his comrades.

He covered the grenade with his helmet and his body, absorbing the full force of the explosion. The act saved the lives of at least two other Marines who were nearby. Corporal Dunham sustained catastrophic injuries from the blast and was evacuated for medical treatment. He succumbed to his wounds eight days later on April 22, 2004, without regaining consciousness. His legacy endures through the naming of the USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, and his story continues to inspire service members.