Marines.mil reports that Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan and Staff Sgt. David Wyatt were posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for their actions on July 16, 2015 in Chattanooga, Tennessee when a jihadist went on a shooting rampage.
According to eye witness statements and 911 transcripts during the event, Sullivan and Wyatt took charge in the evacuation of unit personnel and contacting authorities. They also returned to the scene of the incident when personnel were unaccounted for, risking their lives in the process.
“This is a day to celebrate the heroic, exemplary, and selfless service of two great Marines, who were by all counts great human beings, devoted Marines, and wanting nothing more than to take care of their Marines,” said Maj. Gen. Burke W. Whitman, commanding general of 4th MARDIV, who attended the ceremony along with Sgt. Maj. Michael A. Miller, sergeant major of 4th MARDIV.
During the ceremony, Cotton presented the medal to Jerry and Betty Sullivan, parents of GySgt Sullivan; and to Lorri Wyatt, wife of SSgt Wyatt.
“It’s a great honor and we’re humbled by it, it’s something you don’t want to receive but it’s good to have him recognized for the actions he took that day,” said Jerry Sullivan.
Comments
14 responses to “Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan and Staff Sgt. David Wyatt awarded posthumous medals for Chattanooga”
BZ!
Both Marines could have left when the evacuated, but they went back in looking for people. Semper Fi!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYrBSTBHCS4
BZ to a couple of fine Marines and prayers for their families.
We are better for such men having lived.
RIP, Marines.
that such men and women live
Where do we get men such as these?
Semper Fidelis
One of Patton’s famous quotes seems apropos here: “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”
RIP GySgt Sullivan and SSgt Wyatt. You did your duty, even though doing so cost you your lives.
Thank you and well said Hondo.
This. Fair winds and following seas, Marines.
Chalk this up to the current administration doing the right thing, even though I think it’s the incorrect medal to give.
If they were both awarded the Purple Heart (http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/04/posthumous_purple_heart_awarde.html), how can an award for non-combat heroism be the appropriate award? That seems a little in-congruent to me.
May they rest in the arms of the Lord … “No greater love hath a man, than to lay down his life for a friend!”
Well deserved recognition, but bittersweet.
RIP, shipmates.
Thank you gentlemen, for thus so nobly carrying on the war.