This Memorial Weekend edition of the Battle Blog provides the opportunity to focus on the heroic actions of our service men and women fighting in the War on Terror. 

As President Bush has said several times, their operations may not be fully revealed until some time in the distant future, due to security concerns.  Every so often, we read brief reports on the no—less—than two dozen smaller operations against terrorists and their state sponsors around the world, and then, our focus shifts back to Iraq, or Afghanistan, or back to our families, jobs, and our other concerns.

We thank and pray for all who are giving their service in the defense of liberty, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.  At least there is some news coverage of these heroes, even though clueless media outlets continue to denigrate or  disregard heroes far superior to them in both word and deed.

The first Marine since Vietnam to be recommended for the Congressional Medal of Honor is Cpl. Jason Dunham.  In Fallen soldier's bravery prompts Medal of Honor consideration, we learn that Cpl. Dunham gave his life in the fighting around Karbala on April 14 by falling on an enemy grenade in order to save the lives of his comrades.

The War on Terror continues in Afghanistan, and Special Forces continue to contribute to the stabilization of the country.  It has become clear that state sponsors of terrorism are essentially one big ammo dump.  The US Army Special Operations Command News Service reports in Special Forces retrieve munitions cache in Afghanistan's Pesch Valley, we learn that Green Berets confiscated a variety of munitions including rocket launchers, mortar rounds and machinegun ammunition.  It is significant that the Green Berets were tipped by the locals who see the benefit of having freedom secured by the forces of the Coalition.

In Rochester, N.Y. Marine, receives Navy Cross by Cpl. Jeremy Vought relates the extraordinary story of Captain Brian Chontosh in action with 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division.  On March 25, in the vicinity of Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq, Captain Chantosh charged into an enemy—held trench alone and 'began to clear the trench with an M16A2 service rifle and 9 millimeter pistol.  His ammunition depleted, Chontosh, with complete disregard for his safety, twice picked up discarded enemy rifles and continued his ferocious attack.'  Captain Chantosh killed more than 20 enemy soldiers, and wounded several others.  We may ask why someone would do such things as this.  Captain Chantosh explains his actions simply:  '..it was just a passion and love for my Marines.'

Staff Sgt. Robert Whisenant of the 1st Cavalry Division seems to be always in the thick of the action.  In Two Purple Hearts in two weeks , Sgt. Whisenant describes giving more to the enemy than he received despite being wounded in both encounters.  In his words, "I may be eligible for two Purple Hearts, but with 10 months left to go I'm not looking for three."

Link to Battle Blog 16 — 22 May