Staff Sgt. Jeffery V. Escalderon
@1stbattalion7thmarines
Husaybah, Iraq
November 2004
Award: Bronze Star W/ Combat “V”
Staff Sgt. Escalderon’s men came under numerous attacks in Husaybah on a near-daily basis during the deployment. The Marines of Company B nicknamed a certain area of the city of Husaybah, ‘mortar thirty,’ because everyday at around 4:30 p.m., they received incoming mortar fire from insurgents.
While manning a security position with one of his four-man squads, Staff Sgt. Escalderon was attacked by a car-full of insurgents. He responded immediately by killing two of the enemy. After about an hour of heavy fighting, Escalderon’s Marines were able to repel the enemy’s assault, leaving eight terrorists dead. Two weeks after the deadly battle, Escalderon led a squad of Marines to capture a handful of insurgents in Husaybah. The terrorists responded to the Marines’ raid with rockets, mortars and machine guns. Escalderon exposed himself numerous times to enemy fire in order to repel the attack with hand grenades.
The fighting continued throughout the day until the enemy was overwhelmed and killed.
Escalderon directed both ground forces and helicopters against the enemy during the coordinated attack.
Sgt Grit wants to hear from you! Leave your comments below or Submit your own Story !
This is why I became a Marine Semperfi ooh-rah
A job well done Sgt, God Bless you and the Marines that are serving with you
You never open your eyes thinking this is the day, but when the night falls we know this is the only way. Wars have always made hero’s that take it home in little pieces and reminded every day. He has honored every one of us and my brother for all time…
God bless our military! Thank you for your service????
Marines Get It Done!!! ???????? U.S.M.C. SEMPER FI
Outstanding job marine Semper Fi
sounds like he earned or deserved more than a Bronze Star ! i used to work with an Army guy who got a Bronze for managing an Officer’s Club in Vietnam. Just saying.
I do agree!! I’m not sure what the criteria is but,it does sound worthy of a higher award.As far as the Army and the Bronze Star,they gave them away like candy from the back of a truck in Nam.If a guy had a proper bowel movement.YEH!! Bronze Star!! Harry
Just a side note. My best friend “J J” (502nd 101st Airborne) got wounded during a rocket attack received a Purple Heart.also received a Bronze Star According to him ,in his own words,”I got it for just standing in the wrong spot!”Harry
People don’t believe me when I tell them that there was a quota, that so many bronze stars had to be awarded. You guys make my case. The war wasn’t popular so they thought this wood help. Same goes for lots off the metals. I saw plenty of marines do much more then a lot of these stories and they didn’t even get a well done. Far as it goes none of it really matters only to the want ta be’s. Vietnam dec66 to aug68 back may69 to aug69 went with 1/9, 2/9,3/9 and 2/26 on many operations. Nobody had time to stop and put them in for medals.
Proud of 1/9 Evacuation of Saigon April 1975. Proud of
2/9 Battle of Koh Tang aka The Mayaguez Incident, not an incident when Marines get killed. Semper Fi 9th Marines.
Agree with many of the comments herein about awards criteria. IMHO, SSgt Escalderon should have received the Silver Star Medal. If interested, please see this Article I wrote after serving as the Third Marine Division Asst. Adjutant/Awards Officer, 1966-67: Google or tap here: Military Awards: Earned or Not, Was The Criteria Met? It answers many of the concerns and comments. Semper Fi
Murray, thanks for your service in the 9th Marines. A lot of people have forgot we lost numerous Marines from the 9th Marines in April & May “1975.” 1/9 was used during the Evacuation of Saigon, 2 Marines were killed at Tan Son Nhat Airport. 2/9 fought at Koh Tang Island, Cambodia aka Mayaguez Incident, we lost over 20 young Marines during this battle. Most people have forgotten these 2 months in the history of the 9th Marines. Semper Fi
I agree with you he should of got at least a Silver Star. Semper Fi my Brothers
Semper Fi SSGT.
Outstanding! Semper fi MARINE!!!
That is amazing and shows great heroism!
I agree with you he should of got at least a Silver Star. Semper Fi my Brothers
Leadership is not only for the parade decks. Marines do what they are taught. Muffle enemy fire until there is none. SEMPER FI
OORAH! God bless the United States Marines!!
Outstanding Devil Dog! I was with RCT-7 Taskforce “Ripper” during Desert Storm our first scrimish in 90-91. Glad to see 7th Marines are still making history! Semper Fi! Godspeed bringing everyone home!
Doing what Marines always do, and usually without proper recognition. Semper Fi SSGT. (1st Bn, 11th Marines 1960, Hdg Co 3rd Marines until 1964)
Peace thru superior fire power, Semper Fi Marines!
A guy could get hurt doing that kind of stuff….just ask to poor, dumb clowns that keep picking on the Staff Sgt and his Merry Men…. Take care and God Bless…. Semper Fi 7th Marines Fox Co….my father’s assigned Co. on the Road, Korea ’50….
Not for me , but my cousin L/Cpl Hank Broximer was with the 26th Marines at Kha Son. During one mortar attack the landline for the whole base was put out of commission. He lead a 4 man team from the wire section to put it back together. This was done while the battle was in full force. Hank got hit by pieces of mortars. For this he was awarded the Putple Heart and a Marine Corps Achivement Award. Not for nothing I think a achivement award is for something a little less than a combat action. Like maybe a Bronze Star w/ a “V”. Hank never spoke about this and recently passed away and his family had his Marine Corps history on a table at the funeral home. Semper Fi Hank. Sgt. Daniel J. Daly A Co. 1st Engineer Bn. RVN 67-68 Hue Veteran.
Ooo fukin Rahhhh Marine.. Makes my d#%! Hard…… Semper Fi Brother.!!
What ever the award, the fact is, the Staff Sgt. stood in front of enemy fire determined to knock them on there ass. Outstanding Fire Pisser!
Well done, Marine! Oorah! Semper Fi.
From Vietnam to Afghanistan 1/7 is still kicking ass! My pride in my unit will never. Lessen keep up the seemingly high standard.which 1/7 calls just another day at work