Sergeant Major Brad Kasal, A Marine we should know
Sergeant Major Bradley Kasal was born in 1966 in Marengo, Iowa. He is the recipient of the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism and leadership while serving as the 1st Sergeant, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines during combat operations in Fallujah on 13 Nov, 2004. His Battalion was participating in Operation Phantom Fury whose main objective was to clear the city of Fallujah of all insurgents.
Sgt Maj Kasal was awarded the Navy Cross at Camp Pendleton on 1 May, 2006, followed by his promotion to Sergeant Major and reenlistment in the Marine Corps.
By the time he was carried out of the house by Lance Corporals Chris Marquez and Dan Shaffer, Sgt Maj Kasal had lost approximately 60 percent of his blood. Lucian M. Reed, an Associated Press photographer snapped the above photo which has become iconic throughout the Marine Corps.
He is quoted as saying he thought he was going to "Bleed Out" from more than 40 shrapnel wounds and seven 7.62 mm AK-47 gunshots he received fighting to get to, and protect his Marines. He refused medical attention inside what has become known as the "House of Hell".
When then 1st Sgt. Kasal was assisting one of his platoons with an over watch position inside the city of Fallujah, intense gunfire broke out in an Iraqi home to his front. Seconds later Marines exited the house. The Sgt Maj found out there were still Marines pinned down inside the house. Upon entry into the house the Sgt Maj killed an insurgent at extremely close range. Shortly afterward he was hit from behind by AK-47 fire.
Sgt Maj Kasal said that he made three life or death decisions, not expecting to live through them, once inside the house. The first decision was to expose himself to enemy fire in order to pull another wounded Marine out of the line of fire. Second, after assessing his and his fellow Marine's wounds, he made the decision to use all his medical supplies on his fellow Marine. Lastly, as the insurgents deployed hand grenades he made the decision to shield his fellow Marine with his body.
The Sergeant Major said he only did what any good Marine would have done. He is the author of the book My Men Are My Heroes: The Brad Kasal Story
Navy Cross citation
The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting The Navy Cross To
Bradley A. Kasal
First Sergeant, United States Marine Corps
The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting The Navy Cross To
Bradley A. Kasal
First Sergeant, United States Marine Corps
For Services as Set Forth in the Following Citation
For extraordinary heroism while serving as First Sergeant, Weapons Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 13 November 2004. First Sergeant Kasal was assisting 1st Section, Combined Anti-Armor Platoon as they provided a traveling over watch for 3d Platoon when he heard a large volume of fire erupt to his immediate front, shortly followed by Marines rapidly exiting a structure. When First Sergeant Kasal learned that Marines were pinned down inside the house by an unknown number of enemy personnel, he joined a squad making entry to clear the structure and rescue the Marines inside. He made entry into the first room, immediately encountering and eliminating an enemy insurgent, as he spotted a wounded Marine in the next room. While moving towards the wounded Marine, First Sergeant Kasal and another Marine came under heavy rifle fire from an elevated enemy firing position and were both severely wounded in the legs, immobilizing them. When insurgents threw grenades in an attempt to eliminate the wounded Marines, he rolled on top of his fellow Marine and absorbed the shrapnel with his own body. When First Sergeant Kasal was offered medical attention and extraction, he refused until the other Marines were given medical attention. Although severely wounded himself, he shouted encouragement to his fellow Marines as they continued to clear the structure. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, First Sergeant Kasal reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
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Resources:
Defense link Sgt Maj Bradley Kasal
Defend America, Wounded 1st Sgt awarded navy Cross
Defense Link MP3 interview with Sgt Maj Kasal
My Men Are My Heroes: The Brad Kasal Story
No True Glory: A Frontline Account of the Battle for Fallujah
We Were One: Shoulder to Shoulder with the Marines Who Took Fallujah
History -- Shootout D-Day: Fallujah
House to House: A Soldier's Memoir
Fallujah, with Honor; First Battalion, Eighth Marine's Role in Operation Phantom Fury; Expanded 2nd Edition
Categories: Combat Leadership, Marines you should know
Tags: heroism Marine Corps Leadership Navy Cross Marine Corps History
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