Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4.

The rank of corporal nominally corresponds to commanding a section or squad of soldiers. However, in the United States Army, but not the U.S. Marines, a corporal is usually a fire team leader or second-in-command of a squad of soldiers.

In most countries which derive their military structure from the British military system, it is a more senior rank than that of private. However, in several other countries, such as Canada, Italy and Norway, corporal is a junior rank, indicating a more experienced soldier than a private, and also on a higher pay scale, but having no particular command appointment corresponding to the rank, similar to specialist in the U.S. Army.

Etymology[link]

The word is derived from the medieval Italian phrase capo corporale ("head of a body").^[1] It may also be derived from an appointment as an officer's bodyguard,^{[citation needed]} originally being an adjective pertaining to the word "body".

Argentina[link]

All three branches of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic use two or three ranks of corporal, or cabo. Corporals in the Argentine military are considered suboficiales subalternos (subaltern sub-officers/lower non-commissioned officers), superior only to all ranks of Volunteers (enlisted members of the Army and Air Force) and Seamen (enlisted members of the Navy).

In the Argentine Army, there are two ranks of corporal, junior and senior: Cabo (Corporal) and Cabo Primero (First Corporal).

While the Argentine Navy has three Corporal ranks, from junior to senior: Cabo Segundo (Corporal Second Class), Cabo Primero (Corporal First Class) and Cabo Principal (Principal Corporal), which is equal to the Army rank of Sargento (Sergeant). The Air Force has the same number of Corporal ranks as the Navy, and keeps the same titles, with the exception of Cabo (Corporal) instead of the Navy's Cabo Segundo (Corporal Second Class).

The rank is also used by the Argentine National Gendarmerie and the Argentine Federal Police, which use the rank in the same manner as the Army, as well as the Argentine Naval Prefecture.

Australia[link]

An Australian Army Cadet Corporal's Uniform.

Corporal is the second lowest of the non-commissioned officer ranks in the Australian Army, falling between Lance-Corporal and Sergeant. A corporal is usually a Section Commander (Sect Comd), and is in charge of 7-14 men of private rank. He is assisted by a second-in-command, a Lance-Corporal or a senior Private. The same ranks within artillery units are Bombardier and Lance-Bombardier respectively. A corporal is frequently referred to as 'seco' (abbv. of Section Commander) by all ranks in everyday speech but never in written correspondence.

Corporal is also a rank of the Royal Australian Air Force, being equal to both the Australian Army and Royal Air Force rank of Corporal. There is no RAAF equivalent to the Army rank of Lance-Corporal.

Belgium[link]

All branches of the Belgian Armed Forces, except the Naval Component, use three ranks of Corporal: Corporal (Dutch: Korporaal, French: Caporal), Master Corporal (Dutch: Korporaal-chef, French: Caporal-chef) and 1st Master Corporal (Dutch: 1ste Korporaal-chef, French: 1e Caporal-chef). Corporal is equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-3, whereas Master Corporal and 1st Master Corporal are equivalent to OR-4. The rank immediately below Corporal is 1st Private and the rank directly above 1st Master Corporal is Sergeant.

The equivalent of these ranks in the Naval Component are Quartermaster, Chief Quartermaster and 1st Chief Quartermaster.

Brazil[link]

Corporal (in Portuguese cabo) is the first NCO rank of the Brazilian Army. Soldiers who successfully complete the Corporal Course (CFC) may be promoted to the rank of Corporal should they excel in the course. A corporal in the Brazilian Army will lead the smallest fractions of units as machine gun squads, mortar and infantry squads.

Canada[link]

Corporal (Cpl) is an Army and Air Force non-commissioned member rank of the Canadian Forces. Its Naval equivalent is Leading Seaman (LS). It is senior to the rank of Private and its naval equivalent Able Seaman, and junior to Master Corporal (Caporal-Chef) and its equivalent Master Seaman (Matelot-Chef). It is part of the cadre of junior non-commissioned officers, and one of the Junior Ranks. In French the rank is caporal (cpl).

The rank insignia of a corporal is a two-bar chevron, point down, worn in gold thread on both upper sleeves of the Service Dress jacket; in rifle green (Army) or dark blue (Air Force) thread on CADPAT slip-ons for Operational Dress; in old gold thread on blue slip-ons on other Air Force uniforms; and in gold metal and green enamel miniature pins on the collars of the Army dress shirt and outerwear coats. On Army ceremonial uniforms, it is usually rendered in gold braid (black for rifle regiments), on either both sleeves, or just the right, depending on unit custom.

Corporal is the first non-commissioned officer rank, and the lowest rank officially empowered to issue a lawful command. Corporals can lead troops if they have the formal qualifications to be promoted to Master Corporal but have not been promoted yet. However, the rank of Corporal was severely downgraded after Unification, along with the attendant responsibilities. A corporal in the Canadian Army in 1967 had the same duties and responsibilities that a sergeant has today. In an infantry section a Corporal will sometimes command a assault team if a Master Corporal is leading the section or they are pending promotion to Master Corporal.

Another effect of Unification was to delete the appointments of Lance-Corporal and Lance-Sergeant (a Corporal holding the acting rank of Sergeant). The former is still common in other Commonwealth militaries.

Corporal is deemed to be the substantive rank of the members carrying the appointment of Master Corporal. On pay documents, Corporal was formerly listed as "Cpl (A)" and Master Corporal as "Cpl (B)".

Privates in the Canadian Forces are considered to be apprentices in their trades, and corporals are journeymen. To become a Corporal one must have served four years as a private, and have achieved Qualification Level 5 trades training, or two years in the reserves but only require the completion of their trades course (DP1). In some cases, privates having served a minimum of 3 years may be advance promoted to the rank of Corporal with the approval of their superiors, providing they have shown dedication to the military and exemplary skills with reference to their trade. The rank of corporal in artillery units follows the British convention and is styled Bombardier (Bdr) — thus a Master Corporal is a Master Bombardier (MBdr).

In rifle regiments, a distinction was historically drawn between a Corporal and an Acting Corporal; The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada had a special insignia to distinguish between the two.

Denmark[link]

In the Danish military the rank of corporal (Korporal in Danish) is the lowest rank of the NCO group. Professional (non-conscripted) soldiers, often those with the rank of "Overkonstabel" (somewhat similar to "Specialist" in the U.S. Army) may sometimes get selected for the rank of corporal, if they have unique experience or skills. This can't be given as a battlefield appointment and the aspiring corporal has to take a 3-week course in order to be promoted. A corporal will often be given a task similar to that of other countries corporals; i.e. ad hoc assistance of squad-commanders. The rank of corporal was phased out but was reintroduced into the Danish Army in October 2008.^[2][3]

Finland[link]

Alikersantti is an OR-4 rank and the lowest NCO rank of the Finnish Defence Forces. Alikersantti carries two-chevron rank insignia. In translations from English to Finnish the Corporal rank is often mistranslated as Lance Corporal, which is called korpraali in Finnish. In direct translation the rank name basically means "Junior Sergeant" (Sub-Sergeant).

France[link]

There are three ranks of corporal (caporal in French). In the French Army these are not NCO ranks, but enlisted ones. The corporals are called "ranked" (gradés) .NCO start at the rank of Sergent (OR-5).

Insigia-First Class Staff Corporal

• "Corporal" (caporal) is a NATO OR-3 level rank. The insignia is two chevrons of wool (vs. the two gold chevrons of a sergeant).
• "Staff Corporal" (caporal-chef) is OR-4. The insignia is two chevrons of wool plus a gold chevron.
• "First Class Staff Corporal" (caporal-chef de première classe) is intermediate between OR-4 and OR-5. The insignia is one red chevron and two gold chevrons.^{[citation needed]}

In the regiments of cavalry traditions, the caporaux are called brigadiers, but not in Troupes de Marine where they are still called caporaux whether they are infantry, cavalry or artillery.

Germany[link]

The German military had no direct equivalent to a corporal in either the Commonwealth or U.S. militaries, in terms of duties and responsibilities. Some sources identify Unteroffizier as the traditional German equivalent to corporal, and this grade has existed as a military rank since at least the 18th century. Other sources identify the lower rank of Gefreiter as being equivalent to a Corporal of other armies, though in the German military this rank conferred a higher rate of pay without any of the duties and responsibilities granted corporals in other armies (hence being more like ranks such as Private First Class).

This and the rank of Stabsgefreiter and Oberstabsgefreiter (highest ranks of Privates) are today classified by NATO as OR-4 ranks, with Unteroffizier (lowest NCO-rank) being classified as OR-5. Given the vastly different status of the rank of Corporal in the British (section commander) and American (section second-in-command) armies, identifying equivalents in the German military is largely fruitless, though the American rank system corresponds better to the overall German NCO rank system. For example: Sergeant (E-5)= Unteroffizier/Stabsunteroffizier, Staff Sergeant (E-6)= Feldwebel/Oberfeldwebel, Sergeant First Class(E-7)= Hauptfeldwebel, Master Sergeant (E-8)= Stabsfeldwebel, First Sergeant (E-8)= is a German NCO duty in Company. Ordinarily Hauptfeldwebel/Stabsfeldwebel, Sergeant Major/Command Sergeant Major (E-9) = Oberstabsfeldwebel

• 

  Shoulder strap of an Obergefreiter in the Bundeswehr (german army)^[4]

• 

  German Navy rank insignia (sleeve) Obergefreiter^[5]

• 

  Bundeswehr rank insignia "Unteroffizier"

In the years between 1934 and 1945 there were also the Unterscharführer a paramilitary rank as a part of of the Nazi Party. (discontinued)

SS equivalent to Unteroffizier was Unterscharführer.

• 

  Shoulder strap
  SS-Unterscharführer
  (SS-Junker)

• 

  Gorget patches Unterschaführer of the Waffen-SS

• 

  Military camouflage Unterschaführer of the Waffen-SS

India and Pakistan[link]

. These ranks are still used in the Indian Army and Pakistan Army. Although this rank is still used in the Indian Air Force and is considered to be a rank given to an airman who is senior to Leading Air Craftsman but junior to a Sergeant.in air force cpl stand for responsible for all the team management of a squadron under it and work as a independent in charge of his section.

Iran[link]

Corporal (in Persian سرجوخه Sarjukhe) is one of the lower ranks of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army. A Sarjukhe is usually responsible for 4 to 5 soldiers in the army.

Ireland[link]

Irish Army Cpl's subdued rank slider.

Corporal (Cpl) (Ceannaire in Irish) is the lowest rank of non-commissioned officer within the Irish Army and Air Corps. The Naval Service equivalent is Leading Seaman (LS).

Army[link]

The main role of an Infantry Corporal is to either command a section as the section commander or to command the Fire Support Group (FSG) as the 2I/C of the section. All corporals are qualified instructors on drill, section weapons, and fieldcraft.

In the Artillery Corps, the Corporal is normally assigned to a gun detachment as a Layer ^{[disambiguation needed ]}, or a Detachment Commander. Artillery corporals can also find themselves in charge of the battery signals section.

The Army rank insignia consists of two winged chevrons (or "stripes"), the dress uniform being red chevrons with a yellow border.

Air Corps[link]

Before 1994, the Air Corps was considered part of the Army and wore Army uniforms with distinct corps badges but the same rank insignia. With the introduction of a unique Air Corps blue uniform in 1994, the same rank markings in a white colour were worn, before the introduction of a new two-chevron badge with wing rank marking.

Israel[link]

IDF Rank: Rav turai (Rabat)

In the Israel Defense Forces, soldiers are promoted from private to corporal (Rav-turai or Rabat) after 7–10 months of service (7 for combatants, 8 for combat support and 10 for non-combatants), if they performed their duties appropriately during this time. Soldiers who take a commander's course, are prisoner instructors or practical engineers become corporals earlier. Corporals get a symbolic pay raise of 3.60 NIS and those who are also noncommissioned officers (mashak) are able to command privates in their respective units.

A corporal may be promoted to sergeant about 11 or 12 months after becoming a corporal, or to the rank of Second Lieutenant if they complete an officer's course.

Italy[link]

A soldier can be promoted from Private (soldato) to Corporal rank (caporale) after 3 months of service.^[6]

• 

  Insignia of Corporal (caporale) of the Italian Army (insignia for the shoulder for the invernal service uniform)

• 

  Paratrooper insignia of Corporal of the Italian Army

Mexico[link]

Corporal (in Spanish "Cabo") is one of the lower ranks of the Mexican army.

New Zealand[link]

The New Zealand Defence Force awards the corporal rank to soldiers or airman after 6 or 7 years of service. There is substantial responsibility on the part of a corporal in the New Zealand Army and Royal New Zealand Air Force. They usually command a small team and work closely with their Sergeants. A pay increase is also given.

Like their British and Australian counterparts, they wear two chevrons to distinguish their rank.

Norway[link]

In the Norwegian Armed Forces, promotion to the rank of Korporal is an acknowledgement for good service by conscripted personnel. The rank does give some commanding authority, and corporals may be given increased informal responsibilities by senior officers and NCOs. The rank carries two chevrons and a slight pay increase.

All conscripted personnel in the Military Police are awarded the rank after the recruitment period is over.

Poland[link]

Shoulder strap of a kapral in the Polish Army.

In the Polish Land Forces, the rank of kapral is the lowest rank in the NCO corps (OR-3 in NATO code). Most commonly the rank is held by a NCO commanding an infantry squad, tank or gun crew, or a similar unit. The equivalent rank in the Polish Navy is mat.

As with many other military ranks, direct comparison between various armies might be misleading. Before World War II Polish Army's kapral was more or less equivalent to the British rank of Lance Corporal, while British rank of Corporal was named plutonowy (lit. Platooner). In modern times the rank is still equivalent to Lance Corporal in UK or Private First Class in U.S. Army (OR-3), while British and American rank of Corporal (OR-4) is equivalent to the Polish rank of starszy kapral (lit. Senior Corporal), introduced in 1971.

Historically, the rank was first introduced in Poland in 17th century, together with mercenary troops of Italian origin. In foreign troops on royal payroll kapral commanded four ranks of musketeers or part of a company of pikemen. In 20th century, between the world wars, the rank of corporal was held by both conscripted NCOs and professional soldiers alike. This was changed after World War II, when the Polish Army was under Soviet command and the rank of kapral was modified to resemble that of Soviet Junior Sergeant, reserved for conscripted NCOs. In modern Polish Army the rank is reserved for professional soldiers exclusively.

The insignia of kapral (worn on shoulder straps and/or badge above breast pocket) are two bars.

Russia[link]

The rank of Corporal (Russian: капрал) existed in the Russian Army from 1647 to 1798, when it was replaced with that of Non-Commissioned Officer (Russian: унтер-офицер, from German: Unteroffizier, literally sub-officer). Soviet and modern Russian armies have the rank of Junior Sergeant (Russian: младший сержант) that is more or less equivalent to the rank of corporal.

Singapore[link]

Corporals (CPL) in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between Lance Corporal and Corporal First Class.^[7] It is a rank most commonly held by Full Time National Servicemen with at least a pass in their IPPT. The rank insignia for a corporal is two chevrons pointing downward with an arc on top.

In the past, the SAF followed the British model, and Corporals were non-commissioned officers often holding the appointment of section leader. Today, a corporal is not a Specialist (NCO-equivalent), and holds no command authority, although they may be given higher responsibilities such as appointment as a section 2IC, or 2nd-in-command^{[citation needed]}

In the Singapore Police Force, Singapore Civil Defence Force, Singapore Prison Service and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, a Corporal is a rank below Sergeant. The rank is also used in uniformed groups for students such as National Police Cadet Corps(NPCC), National Cadet Corps(NCC) and National Civil Defence Cadet Corps(NCDCC).

Spain[link]

In the Spanish Armed Forces Cabo (Corporal) is the rank between Soldado de Primera (First Class Private) and Cabo Primero (First Corporal). It actually equates to a NATO OR-3, with Cabo Primero equating to an OR-4 and Cabo Mayor to an OR-5.

Sweden[link]

In the Swedish Army, Navy and Air Force the rank of Korpral is a rank for soldiers with a specialization, and often in charge of a group six to ten men.

Army	Navy	Airforce

People's Republic of China[link]

Corporal (Chinese: 下士, literally Junior Officer) is the lowest among the ranks of the non-commissioned officer of the People's Liberation Army. This rank was once replaced by the rank "Level One Non-Commissioned Officer"( Chinese:一级士官, 1998-2009), but was re-introduced in 2009.

Republic of China (Taiwan)[link]

Corporal (Chinese: 下士, literally Junior Officer) is the lowest among the ranks of the non-commissioned officer of the Republic of China Army, Marines, and Military Police.

United Kingdom[link]

RAF corporal insignia.

RAF Corporal as it appears on Dress Uniform.

Corporal (Cpl) is the second rank of non-commissioned officer in the British Army and Royal Marines, falling between Lance-Corporal and Sergeant. The badge of rank is a two-bar chevron (also known as "stripes", "tapes" or "hooks"). A corporal's role varies between regiments, but in the standard infantry role a corporal commands a section, with a Lance-Corporal as Second-in-Command (2ic). When the section is split into fire teams, they command one each. In the Royal Armoured Corps, a Corporal commands an individual tank. Their duties therefore largely correspond to those of sergeants in the United States Army and corporals are often described as the "backbone" of the British Army.

In the Household Cavalry all non-commissioned ranks are designated as different grades of Corporal up to Regimental Corporal Major (who is a Warrant Officer class 1). There is no effective actual rank of Corporal however, and the ranks progress directly from Lance-Corporal to Lance-Corporal of Horse (who is effectively equivalent to a Corporal; technically a LCoH holds the rank of Corporal, but is automatically give the appointment of LCoH). Similarly, in the Foot Guards the appointment of Lance-Sergeant is effectively used instead of Corporal, with the equivalent of a Lance-Corporal being referred to as 'Corporal' and possessing two stripes: this is sometimes said to have originated with Queen Victoria who did not like 'her own guardsmen' having only one chevron.

Royal Artillery corporals are called bombardiers, although until 1920 the Royal Artillery had corporals and bombardier was a lower rank. The rank of Second Corporal existed in the Royal Engineers and Royal Army Ordnance Corps until 1920.

A common nickname for a corporal is a "full screw", with lance-corporals being known as "lance-jacks", e.g. in the popular television series 'Dad's Army', lance-corporal Jack Jones the Butcher.

Corporal is the lowest NCO rank in the Royal Air Force (aside from the RAF Regiment who have Lance-Corporals), coming between Junior Technician or Senior Aircraftman (Technician) and Sergeant in the technical trades, or Senior Aircraftman and Sergeant in the non technical trades. Between 1950 and 1964, corporals in technical trades were known as Corporal Technicians and wore their chevrons point up.

In the Royal Navy, a corporal is a Leading Hand or Leading Rate. Although classified as NATO OR-4, British corporals frequently fill OR-5 equivalent posts.

The Army Cadet Force, Combined Cadet Force, Air Training Corps, Royal Marines sections of the Sea Cadet Corps and the Combined Cadet Force all have the rank of corporal, reflecting the structure of their parent service; therefore it is the second NCO rank of the ACF, CCF and Marine Cadets, and the first NCO rank in the ATC.

United States[link]

United States Army[link]

In the U.S. Army Corporal (CPL) is preceded by the first three forms of private and the rank of specialist.^[8] A corporal rank shares the same pay grade (E-4) as a specialist. Unlike a specialist, however, a corporal is a non-commissioned officer and may direct the activities of other soldiers.^[9] A soldier may be promoted to corporal directly from the rank of private first class or laterally promoted from specialist.

Many corporals are found in recruiting units in which specialists are temporarily given a lateral appointment to corporal as an incentive for recruiter duty. In rare cases, soldiers in regular units are permanently promoted to corporal. The typical criterion for promotion to corporal is that the junior enlisted soldier must be serving in a leadership position that would typically be occupied by an NCO such as a sergeant or higher. Normally these promotions are given to specialists who work in an NCO position but who are prevented promotion to sergeant (E-5) due to promotion point quotas.

For a time, it was not uncommon to find paralegal corporals assigned to the legal assistance branch of a post's staff judge advocate's office, despite often having little or no actual leadership duties. Army Regulation 27-55 Notarial Services conferred (under provisions of 10 U.S.C. §§ 936, 1044a) authority to act as a notary and consul of the United States upon JAG Corps NCOs. Notarisation of powers of attorney and other documents is a "bread-and-butter" task in such offices, which necessitated the presence of either NCOs or state notaries. AR 27-55 was later amended to confer the authority on such paralegal specialists who are so designated by their respective staff judge advocate.

It is common for a corporal to lead a fireteam; however, if a soldier is promoted to corporal and there are too many soldiers of that rank, the new corporal will stay in his current position.

United States Marine Corps[link]

Corporal (Cpl) is the fourth enlisted rank in the U.S. Marine Corps,^[10] ranking immediately above Lance Corporal and immediately below Sergeant. The Marine Corps, unlike the Army, has no other rank at the pay grade of E-4. Corporal is the lowest grade of non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, though promotion to corporal traditionally confers a significant jump in authority and responsibility compared to promotion from private through lance corporal. Theoretically, Marine corporals generally serve as "fire-team leaders," commanding a 4-man team or unit of similar size.

In practice, however, the billet of fire team leader is generally held by a lance corporal, while corporals serve in the squad leader billet that would normally be held by a sergeant (E-5) in infantry units. In support units, they direct the activities of junior Marines and provide technical supervision. Due to its emphasis on small-unit tactics, the Marine Corps usually places corporals in billets where other services would normally have an E-5 or E-6 in authority. Similarly, the term "Strategic Corporal" refers to the special responsibilities conferred upon a Marine corporal over the other branches of the U.S. armed forces.

Vietnam[link]

In Vietnam People's Army, Corporal (Hạ sĩ) is the lowest rank in Non-commissioned Officer. Corporal is below Sergeant and above Private 2nd Class

Ship's Corporal[link]

In some navies a Ship's Corporal is a position, not the rank of a petty officer who assists the master at arms in his various duties.

Corporals in popular culture[link]

Napoleon Bonaparte and Benito Mussolini were corporals at one time. The first was nicknamed "The Little Corporal". Although Adolf Hitler has often been referred to as a "corporal" in English, his actual rank, Gefreiter, was more equivalent to senior private; he was never a corporal (Unteroffizier).

A Corporalship or Corporal's guard is a name for a small band of followers based on the small amount of soldiers directly led by a corporal.

In the movie Aliens, after the death of Sargeant Apone and a concussion suffered by Lieutenant Goreman, Corporal Hicks takes command, where he is referred to as a "grunt".

In Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels, there is a small, unpleasant Corporal named Nobby Nobbs. A running joke in the books is that he is so small and unpleasant that it is disputed whether or not he is human.

IN M*A*S*H,Radar O,Reilly and Maxwell Klinger were in the rank of corporal.

See also[link]

• Corporal of the Field
• Master Corporal
• Tech Corporal
• Corporal of horse
• Staff Corporal
• Corporal Major
• Lance Corporal
• List of comparative military ranks

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Military ranks

Jason Lee Dunham
Dunham's recruit training portrait
Nickname	"Uno"
Born	(1981-11-10)November 10, 1981 Scio, New York
Died	April 22, 2004(2004-04-22) (aged 22) Bethesda, Maryland
Place of burial	Fairlawn Cemetery Scio, New York
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	2000 - 2004
Rank	Corporal
Unit	Marine Corps Security Force Battalion 3rd Battalion 7th Marines
Battles/wars	Iraq War
Awards	Medal of Honor Purple Heart Combat Action Ribbon

Jason Lee Dunham (November 10, 1981 – April 22, 2004) was a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps who earned the Medal of Honor while serving with 3rd Battalion 7th Marines during the Iraq War. While on a patrol in Husaybah, his unit was attacked and he deliberately covered an enemy grenade to save nearby Marines. When it exploded Dunham was seriously injured and died eight days later.

Dunham is the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in the War on Terror, and the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War.

Early life[link]

Jason Dunham was born November 10, 1981 in Scio, New York and lived there his entire life with his parents Dan and Deb, and two brothers and a sister.^[1] He graduated from Scio High school in 2000,^[2] having played basketball for his high school team.^[3]

Military service[link]

Dunham scales a wall during training in 2000

Dunham joined the Marine Corps in 2000. After graduating from recruit training on Oct 27, 2000 from Golf Company Platoon 2092, he served as a Security Force sentry at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia until 2003.^[3]

In early 2004, he was serving as a squad leader with 4th Platoon, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force.^[4] His unit was based in Al-Karābilah. On April 14, 2004, the battalion commander's convoy came under attack near Husaybah, Iraq, and 4th Platoon was dispatched on patrol to investigate. Dunham and his squad intercepted a number of cars spotted near the scene of the attack, which the patrol detained to search for weapons.^[1] When the squad approached a white Toyota Land Cruiser and discovered AK-47s, the driver exited and attacked the Marines in an attempt to flee. Dunham responded by closing in for hand-to-hand combat to subdue him. During the fighting, the individual dropped an armed Mills 36M hand grenade. Dunham, to save the rest of his men, deliberately threw himself on the grenade, attempting to use his PASGT helmet to shield himself and others from the explosion,^[3] warning the others to "watch his hands."^[1] Dunham, the insurgent, and two other Marines nearby were all wounded by grenade fragments. Although the enemy fighter recovered sufficiently to flee the scene, he was shot dead while trying to escape.

Corporal Dunham was severely wounded by the grenade blast, and was immediately evacuated. Within days, he arrived at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland in a coma, where he was being treated for his injuries. After being diagnosed with brain damage and deemed unlikely to recover, he was taken off of life support eight days later, on April 22, 2004.^[1][5][6] Shortly beforehand, Commandant of the Marine Corps Michael Hagee presented Dunham with the Purple Heart. General Hagee, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps John L. Estrada and Dunham's parents were at his bedside when he died.^[5] He was buried in Fairlawn Cemetery in Scio.^[7]

In 2004, Michael M. Phillips, staff writer for The Wall Street Journal, wrote an article summarizing Dunham's actions that appeared on page A1 of the May 25 edition.^[8] In 2005, Phillips published The Gift of Valor: A War Story, which told Dunham's life story.^[4]

Honors and awards[link]

In addition to the Medal of Honor and his other military decorations, Dunham has also received other honors; including being the namesake of a United States Navy Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer, USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109) named in his honor, the United States Post Office in Scio, New York was renamed the Corporal Jason L. Dunham Post Office, The Marine Corps Security Force Barracks at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay Georgia was renamed the Corporal Jason Dunham Barracks in his honor, a Crucible warrior's station at both Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. and San Diego, Ca. is named in his honor, the Marine Corps League Chapter in Palm Desert, Ca. is named in his honor,and a chapter of the Leathernecks Motorcycle Club International is named in his honor.

Military decorations[link]

Dunham's uniform on display aboard USS Jason Dunham

Dunham's awards include:^[3]

Medal of Honor	Purple Heart	Combat Action Ribbon
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation	Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal	National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal w/ 1 service star	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal	Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon

Dunham also held rifle sharpshooter and pistol expert marksmanship badges.

President George W. Bush presents the Medal of Honor to the family of Jason Dunham during a ceremony in the East Room on January 11, 2007

Medal of Honor[link]

Shortly after his death, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Lopez, Dunham's commanding officer, began the process of nominating him for the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest award for valor in combat. On November 10, 2006, at the dedication of the National Museum of the Marine Corps, President George W. Bush announced that Corporal Dunham would receive the Medal of Honor, making him the first recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in the Iraq War and the first Marine recipient for actions since the Vietnam War.^[9]

President Bush presented Cpl Dunham's family with the Medal of Honor in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on January 11, 2007.^[10][11]

Citation[link]

"The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor posthumously to

For service as set forth in the following citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004. Corporal Dunham's squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander's convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah. As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy. Discovering seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, an insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat. Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service".^[12][13]

[edit] USS Jason Dunham

Artist's depiction of USS Jason Dunham

On March 20, 2007, the Navy reported that a new Arleigh Burke-class destroyer guided missile destroyer would be named the USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), in his honor. In a formal ceremony in Scio on March 23, 2007, Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter officially announced the naming of DDG-109 after Dunham.^[14][15] The keel was laid at a ceremony on April 11, 2008, at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine.^[16] The ship was christened on August 1, 2009, with Dunham's mother Debra acting as the ship's sponsor.^[17][18] Among family members and officials present at the christening, also in attendance were Dunham's Kilo Company commander, Major Trent Gibson, as well as Sgt Bill Hampton and Cpl Kelly Miller, whose lives he saved, and retired Gen Hagee. A piece of Dunham's helmet is encased in the mast.^[19][20] The Jason Dunham was commissioned on 13 November 2010.^[21][22] The ship's galley, named "Jason's Dugout", is decorated with memorabilia with Dunham's favorite baseball team, the New York Yankees.^[23]

Other namesakes[link]

Sgt Mark Dean (right) and Maj Trent Gibson (left) inspect the remains of Dunham's helmet before it was displayed at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in July 2009

The Marine Corps Security Force Barracks at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay was renamed the Cpl Jason Dunham Barracks in late June 2007.^[24]

The Cpl Dunham room is located at the Corporals Course at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina.

A Crucible warrior's station at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina and Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California was named in his honor. When recruits arrive at this station, they will read Cpl Dunham's Medal of Honor citation, and then perform ground-fighting techniques reflecting those Dunham used to defend himself and his fellow Marines leading to his nomination for the Medal of Honor.

A bill to rename the Scio post office, located at 4422 West Sciota Street in Scio, New York, as the Corporal Jason L. Dunham Post Office was submitted to the House of Representatives in December 2005 by Congressman Randy Kuhl. The bill was immediately passed in the House with support from all New York delegation members. With the support of both New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton, the bill passed the Senate. On March 14, 2006, President Bush signed the bill.^[25] He also met with Dunham's family, who gave him a copy of The Gift of Valor.^[26]

Other honors[link]

The Corporal Jason L. Dunham Scholarship Foundation was established to provide monetary scholarships to Marines and Corpsmen, who wish to pursue a college education at a nationally recognized and accredited institution of higher education.

In February 2008 Robert Ferrigno dedicated the second book in his Assassins trilogy, Sins of the Assassin, to SFC Paul Smith, Corporal Dunham, and LT Michael Murphy.^[27]

See also[link]

	Biography portal
	United States Marine Corps portal

• List of Medal of Honor recipients
• Rafael Peralta

References[link]

Specific

General

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Jason Dunham

• "Jason L. Dunham memorial website". http://www.jasonsmemorial.org/. Retrieved 9 July 2006. 
• "Official website for USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109)". United States Navy. http://www.jason-dunham.navy.mil/. Retrieved 29 September 2010.