Capt. Ademola Fabayo
Marine Embedded Training Team 2-8
Kunar, Afghanistan, Sept. 8, 2009
Award: Navy Cross
In late 2009, then-1stLt. Fabayo was serving as a member of Marine Embedded Training Team 2-8 in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. 1stLt. Fabayo and other members of his team led two platoons of Afghan National Security Forces into Ganjgal Village for a pre-dawn meeting with village elders when the dismounted patrol was ambushed by roughly 50 enemy fighters in fortified positions. With four fellow team members cut off, he pushed forward on foot into the kill zone in an attempt to regain contact, effectively engaging the enemy at close range with his M-4 rifle. When a U.S. Army Advisor was severely wounded, he moved from a covered position under heavy fire to assist in his recovery, helping carry him across several hundred meters of fire-swept ground. He drove back into the kill zone with another U.S. Army Advisor in an unarmored truck, despite enemy rounds impacting the vehicle, in an attempt to reach the separated team members. After treating and evacuating several wounded Afghan Forces, he took the gunner’s position on a gun-truck with three other U.S. personnel as they again drove into the kill zone to recover the bodies of the four fallen team members, providing effective suppressive fires with the vehicle mounted machine guns. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Christopher Zahn)
This is good story, no fluff to try and make it sound better then it really is, but my question is did he just now get the award or is it just now being put on the site. These are the stories the National News media should pick up on. Murray 1371 ps Harry, he got that wrong about me and Bill, that was the first post to one of Bill’s posts, and I was just trying to cool Bill down, and he took it all wrong. Won’t mention any names. Happy New Year to All.
Hey Murray, The Capt. and one other Marine were presented the Navy Cross during a ceremony at the Marine Museum on 10 June 2011. There also 2 Medals of Honor recipients for actions during the same battle 1 Army and 1 Marine. They received the award from President Obama in Sept 2011 Happy New Year everyone! Harry 1371
I guess it’s true . It’s only free speech if you agree, not if you disagree. Funny thing is I have never heard any of the writers defend their post, Have you? Bill 0331 E-2/1
No, and there is no name as to who wrote it. Murray 1371 ps. Bill, I don’t know if you saw but there was a 1st Sgt that agreed with you and had a nice post at the end of that story. Just thought I ‘d let you know.
“UNCOMMON VALOR – IS A COMMON VIRTUE” God Bless The UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS!
Aren’t we glad that we have Harry to do the research on undated material that’s posted here. As I said before, I find it difficult to comment on these old award presentations. Of course, they’re all valorous, but wouldn’t you expect that from Navy Cross citation. Also, is the fact that the subject person probably doesn’t know it has been posted, and will in all likely hood never see or be aware of any of the comments. However, I do enjoy it when a respondent has personal knowledge or experiences with the subject person. Anytime I see the source as Sgt Grit, I know that it is either a reprint of a previous story or from another source such as Leatherneck, Marine Corps Times, etc. I just wish the Grit would post that information. Semper Fi!!! Top Pro
SUPERB!! CAPT. FABAYO! OOORAH!
I love reading stories like this! All military should be recognized as much as possible. Keep sharing great stories of these military heroes. Semper Fi!!!
Great job Marine, you are an example of why the Marine Corps is an outstanding service. Proud to call you a brother.
This day and age you don’t just know what to believe but maybe somebody out there was in a situation like this and didn’t get awarded didn’t get the praise didn’t get the metal maybe this helps him feel vindicated
Some of these comments remind me of my boss in Vietnam, MGYSGT Wilmot “Bill” Wolf, who was awarded a second Navy Cross in secret while serving in Vietnam on a mission from the Joint Chief of Staff. It is not in his Marine Corps record and efforts to get it declassified and into his record resulted a circuitous route of review of his record and then looking again and getting the same answer. No one reached out to the Joint Chief of Staff to get it reviewed. I kept in touch with him until the 1990’s when he passed away. Here i san excerpt:Promoted to Master Gunnery Sergeant in 1960, Wolf requested one of the most intrigu-ing and prestigious assignments of any career. As a courier with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Wolf was assigned to Battle Staff Team #5 of the Joint Alternate Command Element from 1961-63. During this assignment, Wolf would receive his second Navy Cross on 18 May 1963 in a letter from General Maxwell D. Taylor, Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff.
My Kind of Hero!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Semper Fi Captain Fabayo, We’re glad you lived to receive that well earned reward. Be well, always.
Steve Olson 6621, 60 – 63, 64