Here in this Hall of Heroes are the stories of just a handful of the heroes who have risked their lives under fire in the war on terror. In some cases, these men of steel and grit have made the ultimate sacrifice so that others might live.
In the case of those who survived their selfless act of heroism, none ever brag about their medals and the deeds that brought these bits of cloth and metal to their chests. They simply salute, reload, and press on with the mission. Those who fell look down upon us from Heaven.
Sergeant Anthony Viggiani, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, Afghanistan
The President of the United States Takes Pleasure in Presenting The Navy Cross To
Anthony L. Viggiani Sergeant, United States Marine Corps
For Services as Set Forth in the Following
Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action against Anti-Coalition Force Militia in Zabol Province, Afghanistan, serving as a squad leader for Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team, First Battalion, Sixth Marines, Twenty-Second Marine Expeditionary Unit, deployed with commander, United States Fifth Fleet during Operation Enduring Freedom 3 June 2004. While leading a company assault against an enemy held ridgeline north of the village of Khabargho, Sergeant Viggiani and his squadron came under heavy and accurate fire from an enemy force well entrenched inside a cave, pinning down one of his teams and wounding two of his Marines. Moving across exposed ground, under observation and fire from an adjacent enemy position, Sergeant Viggiani maneuvered to the cave opening, but achieving no effect on the enemy. Braving enemy fire from the adjacent enemy position, he went back to retrieve a fragmentation grenade. Again, under a hail of fire, he moved to within feet of the cave opening and employed the grenade to eliminate the enemy position, which was actively firing upon friendly forces. Killing three enemy fighters, Sergeant Viggiani destroyed the enemy strongpoint and allowed his company to continue their advance up to the ridgeline, solidly defeating the enemy by killing a total of fourteen Anti-Coalition fighters. In the process, he was wounded by rifle fire from the adjacent enemy position, yet he continued to lead his Marines in the attack. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of enemy fire and utmost dedication to duty, Sergeant Viggiani reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
2178094
MAJOR DOUG ZEMBIEC USMC
Killed in Action, Baghdad, Iraq
A renowned warrior and Gunny's fellow member of the elite Force Recon Association, Marine Corps Major Doug Zembiec has been killed by terrorists in Baghdad. He was also a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, where he conducted special operations against al Qaeda and the Taliban.
Winner of the Bronze Star for valor, Major "Z" is now on eternal patrol guarding the streets of Heaven, as reported by the "Marines' Hymn."
Semper Fidelis, Z. The Gunny will one day see you topside.
2025468
SERGEANT MAJOR JOSEPH ELLIS USMC, 2ND BATTALION, 4TH MARINES (THE "MAGNIFICENT BASTARDS"), 15TH MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT (SPECIAL OPERATIONS CAPABLE), AL ANBAR PROVINCE, IRAQ
Marine Sergeant Major Joe Ellis saw the suspected suicide bomber approaching the checkpoint and placed himself between his Marines and the terrorist. The sergeant major paid with his life for this act of selflessness. Many years ago, he was Gunny Bob's student. Here is the report:
A Marine killed by a suicide bomber last week had planned to retire in North Carolina this summer after volunteering for three tours in Iraq, his daughter said.
Sergeant Major Joseph J. Ellis, 40, of Ashland, Ohio, died February 7, 2007, in Iraq's Anbar province west of Baghdad. He was assigned to the Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.
"I always thought he wouldn't be one of those people who wouldn't come home," said Rachael Ellis, 20, on Monday. "In my eyes, he was Superman."
Joseph Ellis enlisted in the Marines at age 17 after graduating from Ashland High School, devoting himself to advancement in the military.
He was set to return to the United States this month and planned to retire in May and move to North Carolina, said his daughter, a nursing student who lives in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
He also is survived by his wife, Deborah, and her three children, of Camp Pendleton; his former wife of 17 years, Traci, of Perrysville; his parents and five siblings. Ellis will be buried February 21, 2007, at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. No services in Ohio are planned.
Ellis served with the Marines in Ohio, Hawaii, California and North Carolina. He was deployed to Saudia Arabia in 1990 in the first Gulf War.
The military told Traci and Rachael Ellis that he was doing a routine checkpoint search when he approached a suspicious man who detonated a suicide bomb, killing him and injuring another Marine. A message seeking comment was sent to Camp Pendleton.
"He just wanted to make a difference," Rachael Ellis said. "Anytime he was asked to go somewhere, even times when he didn't have to, he would. He wanted to be there for his troops."
1725399
Marine Corps Sgt. Chadwick L. Winegar, Kunar Province, Afghanistan
Gunny's Note: Sergeant Winegar is from Parker, Colorado
One of the key goals for remnants of the Taliban is to prevent a democratic government from succeeding in Afghanistan. In the Kunar province, the lead-up to the 2005 elections was a time of robust Coalition operations to thwart an increasingly brazen enemy. As part of a patrol, then-Cpl. Winegar and his platoon found themselves confronting numerous enemies who attacked by stealth and under the cover of darkness. On the nights of both August 15th and 16th, insurgents ambushed Winegar’s convoy as it traversed the rugged Pech River Road. In both attacks, enemy fighters fired RPGs from a nearby ridgeline, followed by a hail of machine-gun fire. Winegar not only commanded the lead vehicle, but he manned its machine gun. On both nights, while cut off from his Combat Anti Armor Team, he unleashed his weapon on the ridgeline, holding back the Taliban to give the rest of his convoy time to set up a defense and return fire.
In November 2005, Winegar again faced danger--again as part of an ambushed convoy. On the morning of the 17th, his platoon’s convoy came under heavy fire, and Winegar saw RPGs heading straight toward his vehicle. He ducked into the turret to avoid the inevitable; fortunately, the RPGs landed a few feet off target. Without pausing to consider his good fortune, he grabbed his machine gun and returned fire. Even though his convoy was cut off from other units, Winegar’s quick reactions and responsive fire allowed it to push through the ambush without backup. For his actions, Winegar was twice awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a Combat “V” in August and September, 2006.
A type of courage the anti-military Left will never understand: 
The ultimate warrior wins the ultimate honor, the nation's highest award for valor.
As you read this, Doc is on patrol along the streets of Heaven, caring for his beloved Marines.
A renowned warrior and Gunny's fellow member of the elite Force Recon Association, Marine Corps Major Doug Zembiec has been killed by terrorists in Baghdad. He was also a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, where he conducted special operations against al Qaeda and the Taliban. 
Marine Sergeant Major Joe Ellis saw the suspected suicide bomber approaching the checkpoint and placed himself between his Marines and the terrorist. The sergeant major paid with his life for this act of selflessness. Many years ago, he was Gunny Bob's student. Here is the report:
Sergeant Major Joseph J. Ellis, 40, of Ashland, Ohio, died February 7, 2007, in Iraq's Anbar province west of Baghdad. He was assigned to the Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California. 
Joseph Ellis enlisted in the Marines at age 17 after graduating from Ashland High School, devoting himself to advancement in the military. 
He also is survived by his wife, Deborah, and her three children, of Camp Pendleton; his former wife of 17 years, Traci, of Perrysville; his parents and five siblings. Ellis will be buried February 21, 2007, at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. No services in Ohio are planned. 
Ellis served with the Marines in Ohio, Hawaii, California and North Carolina. He was deployed to Saudia Arabia in 1990 in the first Gulf War. 
"He just wanted to make a difference," Rachael Ellis said. "Anytime he was asked to go somewhere, even times when he didn't have to, he would. He wanted to be there for his troops."
One of the key goals for remnants of the Taliban is to prevent a democratic government from succeeding in Afghanistan. In the Kunar province, the lead-up to the 2005 elections was a time of robust Coalition operations to thwart an increasingly brazen enemy. As part of a patrol, then-Cpl. Winegar and his platoon found themselves confronting numerous enemies who attacked by stealth and under the cover of darkness. On the nights of both August 15th and 16th, insurgents ambushed Winegar’s convoy as it traversed the rugged Pech River Road. In both attacks, enemy fighters fired RPGs from a nearby ridgeline, followed by a hail of machine-gun fire. Winegar not only commanded the lead vehicle, but he manned its machine gun. On both nights, while cut off from his Combat Anti Armor Team, he unleashed his weapon on the ridgeline, holding back the Taliban to give the rest of his convoy time to set up a defense and return fire.
In November 2005, Winegar again faced danger--again as part of an ambushed convoy. On the morning of the 17th, his platoon’s convoy came under heavy fire, and Winegar saw RPGs heading straight toward his vehicle. He ducked into the turret to avoid the inevitable; fortunately, the RPGs landed a few feet off target. Without pausing to consider his good fortune, he grabbed his machine gun and returned fire. Even though his convoy was cut off from other units, Winegar’s quick reactions and responsive fire allowed it to push through the ambush without backup. For his actions, Winegar was twice awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a Combat “V” in August and September, 2006.
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