#MARINE OF THE WEEK // Led men from three countries through a five hour firefight
Gunnery Sgt. Richard Jibson
1st Marine Division
Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan
Award: Navy Cross
On 28 May 2012 Gunnery Sergeant Jibson was advising a 53-man coalition force of Georgian, Afghan, and United States personnel during the clearing of an Afghan village. When some Marines who were reducing an improvised explosive device came under small arms fire, Gunnery Sergeant Jibson unhesitatingly placed himself between the Marines and the enemy, returning fire and allowing them to safely reach cover. Throughout the multiple engagements over the ensuing five hours, he bravely left covered positions and crossed open terrain many times under withering small arms and machine gun fire to provide suppressive fire, inspire his comrades, and direct the fire and maneuver of the entire coalition force. When a fellow Marine was shot in the head by an enemy sniper, Gunnery Sergeant Jibson fearlessly charged into a hail of enemy machine gun fire, pulled the exposed wounded Marine to cover, and then assisted a corpsman in rendering emergency measures to stabilize him. Amid the chaos, he arranged for reinforcements, casualty evacuation, and close air support. His courageous leadership, composure under fire, and tactical expertise led to successful extraction of the force with minimal loss of life. By his bold and decisive actions, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Gunnery Sergeant Jobson reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Sgt Grit wants to hear from you! Leave your comments below or Submit your own Story !
THANK GOD AMERICA STILL PRODUCES MARINE’S LIKE GUNNY JIBSON.
A true inspiration, consummate professional, a Marine among Marines! Semper Fi’ Gunny, God Bless you and our Corps.
Marines like Gunnery Sgt. Jibson and many others like him, keep our Marine Corps proud and strong. Thank you sir and Semper-Fi.
Respect Gunny. Semper Fi
..Gunny..backbone of the Corps..always!
Good job Gunny…Semper Fi…..Gunny Carter
Thank you for your bravery and all you do for our country!! I pray God size supernatural blessings over your life! (Psalm 23)
Ooh Rah Gunny, never a doubt to make us proud, Cpl Jones 75-79
GREAT JOB GUNNY.
Awesome Marine! Semper Fidelis!
The Few, The Proud, The Marines! Thank to his training and bravery he was able to accomplish many great things!!! God bless him And Martine Corps! Sgt Rasa 88-95
Outstanding! SEMPER FIDELIS!
Outstanding Gunny, God Bless You. !! WE are All Very Proud of You! Semper Fi
Thanks Gunny for your faithful and diligent service! It’s good to know we Marines are still on Guard! Semper Fi Brother!
If you ask the Gunny he might tell you he was just “doing his job.” Thank God our “job” as Marines is to be courageous, to take care of our Marines, to set the example, to lead the way (and so much more). Proud to share in this legacy of men and women who continue to uphold the finest traditions of the Corps. -Gunfigher 21 (HMLA-369)
Ooh Rah Gunny J!!!
Sounds like MOH actions. Great job Gunny. Your Navy Cross attests to the sacrifices and heroic actions of that day. Semper Fi brother. Nam 69-70. Ooorah
I agree about the MOH. There was no mention of if he was wounded in the firefight, which might be the difference between the MOH and Navy Cross. If he didn’t get wounded, he’s Clark Kent.
Semper Fi WELL DONE
Ooh – Rah !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GET SOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gunny, you would have made even the “Old Corps” proud to have you serving beside them! Sgt Gray USMC 1966-1972
from an old Mgysgt retired i know the Corps is in fine hands with Gysgt like you.you made us all proud!!!!!! congrads. awesome job Semper Fi gunny
I love hearing stories like this! This inspiring story should be on the covers of newspapers and magazines!!! Courageous people’s stories should be shared!! Thank you for sharing this awesome story about Gunny Sgt Jipson!
Semper Fi Gunny 1st Mar Div Viet Nam 70-71 Stay low go fast shot first die last God Bless you and thank you for your service
OUT F*****G STANDING GUNNY.SEMPER FI BROTHER
This is what our news media should be telling our country instead of concentrating on degrading our President. GOD BLESS YOU GUNNY. I would also like to thank the Home Depot store in Philadelphia. at Castor Ave. and Thompson St. I went to buy a case of flags to put on my father’s grave and all the other veterans I noticed that were always there with no flag. The sales girl had to call another manager on how to price a case of flags. He asked me what I was going to use 144 flags when I told him my seven year old grandson helped me he donated the flags. We found veterans from the Spanish American war and many Vietnam Marine Vets who had no flags. I want to thank this man whose name he did not say but GOD BLESS HIM and if you live in Philadelphia the cemetery we covered in two days is New Cathedral. Once again GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS !!!!!
PFC C Reber semper fi brother keep it up and wish i could be with u good luck Marines
Gung Ho Gunny !!!!!!!!!!-! Sgt. JH 53- 56
ooora and Semper Fi MSGSGT JRN 60-89
Good job, Gunny. Semper Fi
Gunnery Sgt’s run the Marine Corps, and this is why. GySgt Jipson is an example of who Gunny’s are and what they do. I’d serve with him anywhere. Thank you for who you are and what you do. Ooh Rah! Semper Fi!!
And if you ask him how he managed to reach down and gather the courage and strength to perform these feats of heroism, I’ll bet he’d say, just doin’ my job. Semper Fi, Gunny!
Once a Marine always a Marine. Your heroism under fire is a testament to all Marines and soldiers in arms, protecting our freedoms perserving the Espirit De Corp. My prayers concerns to your unit and especially you Gunny. SEMPER FI BROTHER
Semper Fi Gunny!
Unreal. I think that the Medal Of Honor should have been awarded! From a FMF corpsman.
It’s a good thing Marines are being recognized for what they do. At times, its simply just a thing that we do ….. without hesitation.
Semper Fidelis Marine. Non coms are backbone of the Corps.
Darn shame it took almost six years to give this Hero this award. Congrats Gunny. Semper Fi.
Somewhere a “snowflake” is appalled…..outstanding! It’s what we do.
Outstanding gallantry and intrepidity on behalf of Gunnery Sergeant Jibson. Uncommon valor is a common virtue. The US Marines are very well known and respected for these kinds of acts of valor. Semper Fidelis Gunnery Sergeant Jibson. Congratulations for earning our Nation’s 2nd highest award.
Gunnys are the glue that keeps the Infrantry Corps together. Gunnery Sgt Jibsin makes the case for this. Semper Fi
Gunny JIPSON is the individual they had in mind when they said “The Marines are looking for a few GOOD Men”!! High speed and Low drag!! Great job Gunny! Semper Fi.
Outstanding Gunny, you trained with the best, you trained troops to be the best and they executed as a team. We earn the title Marine, some become former Marines, being an 0369 Gunny is a Career Professional Marine. Semper Fi !
Great job Gunny! description of events sounds like an MOH award to me.
Semper fi . one question white tee shirts?
Gunny JIPSON …Semper Fi…Outstanding.
Good job, Guns’. Gen. L.B. Puller would be proud to stand next to you! Ooh-RAH!
That defines a MARINE.
Gunny Jibson, As Always A Jarhead doing his Job God Bless You For Your Service Many of us Marines did Things out there unnoticed Glad Gunny Got what he Deserved. Ohh Rah Gunny.. L/cpl Preciado Viet Nam 67-68.
Out damn standing Gunny. Semper Fi
Ooorah, Gunny! Another Marine “doing his job” by going Above and Beyond as trained, LEAD Marines under any circumstance!! A reason there are Marines, and then there are all the others! Semper Fi!
WOW! Outstanding dedication and service to his Marines under fire. An old Gunny once told me “Gunnie’s are the backbone of the Marine Corps.” Looks like he was right. Praise God for you Gunnys’ Jibson & McCracken where ever you are! Thank you 1st Mar. Div. and United States Marine Corps for continuing to stand in the gap since 1775 and making former Marines proud to have served. Semper Fidelis Fraternally and respectfully submitted Cpl. M.L.Orona G Co. 2/1 2nd Plt. “The Dogs”
Hell yeah, Gunny !! Semper Fi !!
A true Marines ,Marine..Semper Fi Gunny long may you live.
Thank God we have men like Gunny Jibson – our hero who deserves our humble thanks for his leadership and devotion to his country. He stands on the walls at night defending us and protecting our freedom. God bless you and keep you in the palm of his hand.
outstanding!!
Devil Dogs get it done!
Thank-you and God Bless you for your service first to those under your command and second for your country and the marine Corp.