Gunny awards former recruit Purple Heart

[Hoss68]

Submitted by: MCRD Parris Island
Story Identification #:2004129125640
Story by Cpl. Matt Barkalow



Corporal Mark P. O'Brien, who was severely wounded in Iraq Nov. 7, shakes hands with Gunnery Sgt. William Bodette Jr., who was his senior drill instructor. O'Brien asked for Bodette to present him his Purple Heart at National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md. Bodette called it the proudest moment in his career.
Photo by: Photo courtesy of Jerry Zremski/Buffalo News

MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. (Dec. 9, 2004) -- Just days after the Marine Corps birthday, a Marine, once a drill instructor and series gunnery sergeant here, paid a special visit to another Marine in Bethesda, Md., who had been wounded in combat in Ramadi, Iraq.

On Nov. 21, Gunnery Sgt. William Bodette Jr., formerly a series gunnery sergeant with Hotel Co., 2nd RTBn., visited Cpl. Mark O'Brien, a rifleman with 2nd Bn., 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, to present him with the Purple Heart.

According to www.buffalonews.com, O'Brien, a native of East Aurora, N.Y., was wounded in a firefight with Iraqi insurgents, causing him to lose both his right arm and right leg.

Because of his injuries, he was taken to the intensive care unit in the NNMC and was to be awarded the Purple Heart. O'Brien immediately said he wanted no one else, but his senior drill instructor from recruit training, Bodette, to present him with the award.

"He said he didn't want anyone else to pin it on him, but the one who made him a Marine," said Bodette, who is currently assigned as company gunnery sergeant for Kilo Co., 3rd Bn., 6th Marines, 2nd MarDiv, II MEF. "I was then cut orders to go there. They kicked everyone else out and left us to talk for two days."

Bodette said the two talked about everything from boot camp to deployment stories to women, with a lot of reminiscing about recruit training.

"He understands why I was the way I was when I was a drill instructor," the Clearwater, Fla., native said. "I always stressed to [recruits] attention to detail so it could save their lives. This is a serious business, the most serious business in the world."

O'Brien said he was glad Bodette presented him with the Purple Heart, an honor usually designated to the Commandant or Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.
"He's made the most impact of anybody in my Marine Corps career," he said.

O'Brien added he learned valuable lessons from Bodette in recruit training and remembers two very key things about his senior drill instructor.

"He was real intimidating, but on the other hand, he was always professional too," said the 21 year old.

Bodette said he was very proud to have been able to present O'Brien with the award.
"It's the greatest honor ever bestowed upon me," he said. "You never really know the impact you make on some people."

O'Brien is currently recovering from his wounds at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He said he plans to get a new arm and leg and go to college in the near future.

Bodette and O'Brien still talk to each other regularly, Bodette said. He is proud of the job he has done so far and says it won't be long until O'Brien will be living a normal life again.

"His overall attitude and how strong he is was great," he said. "With his attitude, it shouldn't take him long to get back to regular life."

[USMC5831]

I read this in the military forum as well. Great post Hoss. very emotional, brought a tear to my eye and I am not afraid to say so.

[Hoss68]

Originally Posted by USMC5831

I read this in the military forum as well. Great post Hoss. very emotional, brought a tear to my eye and I am not afraid to say so.

That's the main reason I copied it here...