Corpsman ignored his own wounds to aid others
By Rick Rogers
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
April 7, 2006
SEAN M. HAFFEY / Union-Tribune
Petty Officer Nathaniel R. Leoncio, 24, was awarded the Bronze Star yesterday at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton for heroism during an attack on a Marine patrol in Iraq.
In a war marred by prisoner-abuse scandals and rife with political wrangling, Nathaniel R. Leoncio's heroic actions in Iraq are the pure stuff of legend.
Leoncio, a 24-year-old corpsman, received the Bronze Star yesterday at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton.
The Navy petty officer third class was on patrol with Marines in southern Ramadi on Oct. 4 when they were struck by a series of roadside bombs. The explosives killed one Marine and seriously injured three other men, including Leoncio.
At least two of the bombs detonated under the 6-ton Humvee that carried Leoncio, flipping it upside down and on top of him, severing his right leg just below the knee.
Although his right thighbone was shattered and he was bleeding internally, Leoncio refused to be evacuated. He ignored his wounds and cared for a severely injured Marine, likely saving the man's life.
Semper Fi Doc!!
As a former corpsman I feel much pride in his actions. He is one of America's finest to be sure.
Found via Neptunus Lex
1 comment:
This was front page on our newspaper last week. What an amazing man.
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