Jason Dunham

Jason Lee Dunham was a corporal in the United States Marine Corps who served with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. For his extraordinary heroism during the Iraq War, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration for valor.

Born in Scio, New York, Dunham enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2000. He served as a rifleman and squad leader, deploying to Iraq in early 2004. His unit was based near the Syrian border and conducted patrols and security operations in the Al Anbar Province, a volatile area during the conflict.

On April 14, 2004, while on a reconnaissance mission in Husaybah, Dunham's squad was ambushed. During the ensuing engagement, an insurgent released a live hand grenade. Without hesitation, Corporal Dunham deliberately covered the grenade with his helmet and his own body to absorb the blast and shield his fellow Marines. He was catastrophically wounded by the explosion and died eight days later from his injuries.

Corporal Dunham's selfless act saved the lives of at least two other Marines. His sacrifice became a symbol of ultimate devotion to his comrades and was recognized with the Medal of Honor, presented to his family by President George W. Bush in 2007. The guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109) was also named in his honor, ensuring his legacy of courage and sacrifice endures.