seruriermarshal
05-27-2004, 07:42 PM
Silver Star nominee says he was just doing his job in Falluja
CAMP PENDLETON — Carlos Gomez-Perez was about to be sent to Iraq when he joined more than 200 Marines and sailors earlier this year at Camp Pendleton, where they took the oath of citizenship.
Back from combat, the 21-year-old lance corporal from El Cajon is receiving new praise — this time for bravery during a fierce firefight.
His heroism has earned Gomez-Perez a nomination for a Silver Star but ended his tour of duty — at least for now.
Recovering after being shot in the right shoulder and cheek during an encounter with insurgents, Gomez-Perez spoke Wednesday about his combat experience during an interview at Camp Pendleton, where his Marine unit is based.
He downplayed his actions, saying that he was just doing his job, and expressed guilt for leaving Iraq.
"My job was just to throw grenades," he said.
But the nomination for the Silver Star, the third-highest award for bravery after the Medal of Honor and Navy Cross, says of the Mexican native: His "courage, professionalism and outstanding dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest tradition of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service."
The fight that led to a nomination for the Silver Star unfolded last month in the Jolan neighborhood of northwest Fallouja. Insurgents used AK-47s and rocket-propelled grenades to attack Marines clearing a nearby building, with some insurgents coming within 65 feet of the Marines' position.
"The insurgents were so close to us — they were next door — when they threw the grenades, they didn't bounce, they just landed," Gomez-Perez said.
Gomez-Perez said he adopted the makeshift motto: "Push yourself to the limit, and when you break, push yourself some more," which served him and others well in combat when they watched friends die and had to force themselves on.
Gomez-Perez first arrived in Iraq in March 2003, living for three to four months at a time in fighting holes.
After returning from combat, he applied for a green card and was awarded citizenship under a federal program that assists immigrants in the military.
That was just days before he returned to Iraq. This time, he said, the fighting was different.
People were less friendly and enemies were always nearby.
"They would just pop out of the corner, fire and go away," Gomez-Perez said.
"I got real upset. You want to come out and fight, [then] come out and fight."
CAMP PENDLETON — Carlos Gomez-Perez was about to be sent to Iraq when he joined more than 200 Marines and sailors earlier this year at Camp Pendleton, where they took the oath of citizenship.
Back from combat, the 21-year-old lance corporal from El Cajon is receiving new praise — this time for bravery during a fierce firefight.
His heroism has earned Gomez-Perez a nomination for a Silver Star but ended his tour of duty — at least for now.
Recovering after being shot in the right shoulder and cheek during an encounter with insurgents, Gomez-Perez spoke Wednesday about his combat experience during an interview at Camp Pendleton, where his Marine unit is based.
He downplayed his actions, saying that he was just doing his job, and expressed guilt for leaving Iraq.
"My job was just to throw grenades," he said.
But the nomination for the Silver Star, the third-highest award for bravery after the Medal of Honor and Navy Cross, says of the Mexican native: His "courage, professionalism and outstanding dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest tradition of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service."
The fight that led to a nomination for the Silver Star unfolded last month in the Jolan neighborhood of northwest Fallouja. Insurgents used AK-47s and rocket-propelled grenades to attack Marines clearing a nearby building, with some insurgents coming within 65 feet of the Marines' position.
"The insurgents were so close to us — they were next door — when they threw the grenades, they didn't bounce, they just landed," Gomez-Perez said.
Gomez-Perez said he adopted the makeshift motto: "Push yourself to the limit, and when you break, push yourself some more," which served him and others well in combat when they watched friends die and had to force themselves on.
Gomez-Perez first arrived in Iraq in March 2003, living for three to four months at a time in fighting holes.
After returning from combat, he applied for a green card and was awarded citizenship under a federal program that assists immigrants in the military.
That was just days before he returned to Iraq. This time, he said, the fighting was different.
People were less friendly and enemies were always nearby.
"They would just pop out of the corner, fire and go away," Gomez-Perez said.
"I got real upset. You want to come out and fight, [then] come out and fight."