Lance Corporal Christopher S. “Sperge” Adlesperger, who was a Marine for less than a year, was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for valor in Iraq.  The Navy Cross, the nation’s second highest combat award, was presented to the 20-year-old Marine’s parents.  The award cites the valor of then-Private First Class Adlesperger as a rifleman in Company K, 3d Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment, 1stMarDiv in Fallujah on Nov. 10, 2004, during one of the largest and most intense battles of the war in Iraq.

The 30-minute gunfight started when a heavy burst of insurgent gunfire killed Adlesperger’s close friend Lance Corporal Erick Hodges and brought down LCpl Ryan Sunnerville and Hospitalman Alonso Rogero.

According to the citation: “With the majority of his platoon pinned down by insurgent positions, Private First Class Adlesperger single-handedly cleared stairs and a rooftop to move the injured to a rooftop where they could receive medical attention.“  The citation also states: “On his own initiative, while deliberately exposing himself to heavy enemy fire, he established a series of firing positions and attacked the enemy, forcing them to be destroyed in place or to move into an area where adjacent forces could engage them.”

Although wounded, he took the point for his platoon in a final assault on an enemy machine-gun position.  Adlesperger charged into a courtyard, firing at insurgents at close range with his rifle and grenade launcher.  He is credited with killing 11 insurgents.

Later, on Dec. 9 after he received a meritorious promotion to Lance Corporal, Adlesperger was killed in action while leading his fire team.

“He was the greatest Marine I ever met,” said Corporal Carlos Batista, who arrived in 3/5 with Adlesperger.

First Lieutenant Michael Cragholm, the platoon leader, now a series commander at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, told reporters that he makes sure every graduation series knows the name and story of LCpl Adlesperger.  “He is the warrior that the Marine Corps will remember.”

- Taken from the Leatherneck, July 2007.

Most of you know that I spent almost eight years in the United States Marine Corps.  A back injury received while deployed to the Persian Gulf during Desert Shield/Desert Storm ended my Marine Corps career. 

I look back fondly on my years in the Corps and often wish there were something I could do to support the men and women who currently wear the Eagle, Globe and Anchor.

I receive a monthly magazine called Leatherneck.  It is the magazine of the Marines.   Besides the various stories about different units and the latest on what is happening in and around the Corps, there are stories of brave men who sometimes sacrificed themselves in order to save the life of others.  The dedication to the unit before self is a characteristic instilled in every Marine but the utter selflessness demonstrated by the Marines that gave their life takes my breath away.  When I read these stories, I keep saying to myself – others need to hear of this sacrifice.  Regardless of how you feel about this current war or other past wars, the very act of laying down ones own life to save others is exactly what Jesus taught.  I can’t witness to the spiritual lives of these Marines but from my own experience, in those quiet moments before going into battle, a man tends to look to God to make things right. 

So, every once in a while, as I find stories, I will post them here.  It is my hope that you are as inspired by these stores as I am.  I’ll begin with Lance Corporal Christopher S. “Sperge” Adlesperger.