Courage Under Fire: Unsung Heroes

Published on June 7, 2017
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James Hassell

Marine infantryman James Hassell was pinned down with his platoon in an old schoolhouse in Najaf, Iraq. After suffering an injury from an enemy grenade, Hassell’s platoon-mate Ryan Borgstrom needed a medivac immediately. So without hesitation, James ordered the men to load Borgstrom onto his back, full gear, and proceeded to carry the injured man more than 100 yards down a narrow alleyway with enemy fire coming down on them from the roofs above. Maneuvering his way down the alley, James managed to carry his buddy all the way to the medivac which saved his life as he had suffered sever internal injuries. Hassell received the Navy Achievement Medal with Valor Device but unfortunately passed away after collapsing in his home at the age of 30. If that was where you thought his heroism ended, he also had volunteered as a donor and gave 3 organs to needy recipients including his enormous heart.

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James Hassell

Mike Waltz

Army special forces commander Mike Waltz’s squad was ambushed while patrolling rural Afghanistan. Armed with nothing but a pistol and no helmet, Mike fought back against three enemy firing positions and exposed himself to direct fire to try and save an Afghan sergeant who had been hit critically and recover a pair of NVG(Night Vision Goggles). Although the sergeant subsequently died in Mike’s arms, the two had become so close throughout his tour that Waltz began sending financial support to the sergeants widow to allow his son to attend non-radicalizing school rather than the radical Madrasas. Mike Received two Bronze Stars with Valor devices for his actions there and on a separate ambush on the same deployment.

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Mike Waltz Website 1

Mike Waltz