Sgt Maj Kasal awarded Navy Cross

[gtxc2001]

It's really odd. I was driving into work today, wondering what had become of Sgt Maj Kasal, and then I happened to check out the Marine Corps website and saw this article.

http://usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/9F8D86E63B0528DA85257163007F862D?opendocument


I'm sure everybody here has read about then First Sergeant Kasal's actions in Fallujah back in November of 2004. I have to admit that I'm kind of surprised he ended up with a Navy Cross and not the Medal of Honor. I'm certain that he doesn't care about it, I get the impression he's the kind of guy that's just happy he can still be a Marine (especially when you consider he lost several inches of bone in his leg). Still, in light of what others have been awarded the Medal of Honor for, it seems that Sgt Maj Kasal did just as much or more, short of being KIA. It is people like this that make me immensely proud to be a part of our armed forces.

 

[TXHusker05]

I had seen the picture and read the article a month or so after it happened and I was absolutely stunned. Gtxc is right, when you put it up there with recent MoH recepients, what Sergeant Major Kasal did is equal to if not more heroic. Except he didn't die.

What he did is nothing short of amazing, the fact that he lived through it and is back with the Marines is also amazing. Close range shrapnel wounds and seven gunshot wounds is ridiculous. Hell, he was even conscious throughout the entire thing.

Congrats to Sergeant Major Kasal on the promotion and medal, you are more than a hero.

 

[Fezz CB]

"I would take the pain of surgeries any day over the pain of being away from my Marines.”

Talk about honor and loyalty. Wow. The last time I saw a uniform member with the Navy Cross, I got goosebumps.

 

[HeyJoe]

Well earned indeed and likely a MoH caliber deed. What a Marine!

 

[LoneSailor]

Very impressive. There's something about the Marine Corps and dramatic photography(can you say flag raising in Iwo Jima?), the picture above just speaks so much.

 

[cWood30]

Agreed! That man and his actions have been keeping me motivated for quite some time now. I was also surprised he didn't get the MOH, but as was said, I'm sure he'd take his Marines over any medal any day. And let's not forget yet another heroic photograph from OIF.

 

[DanMa1156]

CWood, what's the story behind that one? Never saw that pic before...

And yeah, I read the story on Sgt. Maj Kasal the other day... what a man. I think I'd get goosebumps around him too.

 

[cWood30]

He and his Marines took an IED. Let me see if I can grum up the article.

Here we go.

 

[TXHusker05]

Haha, I remember seeing that picture (with the finger conveniently blurred) in the local newspaper here in Lincoln since he was with the 167th Cavalry from the Nebraska National Guard. I thought it was the funniest thing. Marines are a tough group of guys.

And they always have the best pictures taken of them. I mean, a spur of the moment thing like this and there is always come combat cameraman or even a reporter with a camera nearby. It is amazing.

 

[Slammer2]

Thats fricking crazy. that dude is awesome

 

[Taxman2A]

deleted

 

[TXHusker05]

Good choice, didn't feel like making you feel like an idiot :icon_tong

 

[TXHusker05]

The 60% blood loss is the most amazing part. That is about the time when the body goes into shock from blood loss. From what I understand, he never even lost consciousness. It takes a strong friggin will to survive that... that or he is really stubborn, both possible.

 

[Herc_Dude]

Moto SgtMaj, thats all I gotta say ... Semper Fi

 

[HAL Pilot]

the man is an absolute hero and I am so proud that I may get a chance to serve my country and be 1/10th the soldier (sailor) he is!

I don't think he would appreciate being called a soldier ....for some reason that seems to piss off Marines.....