Gunnery Sgt Brian Blonder
Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines
Shewan, Afghanistan
August 8, 2008
Award: Navy Cross
Gunnery Sergeant Blonder was leading a dismounted patrol through the city of Shewan when his platoon came under intense rocket propelled grenade, mortar and machinegun fire that destroyed a vehicle and trapped several Marines in the kill zone 150 meters away from the enemy. Gunnery Sergeant Blonder exposed himself time and again to heavy fire as he coordinated the suppression of the enemy so that the Marines could be recovered. Later in the battle, Gunnery Sergeant Blonder personally led a flanking attack on the enemy trench system through countless volleys of machinegun and rocket propelled grenade fire. He continued to press the attack as the platoon penetrated further into the trenches in order to defeat the enemy. Gunnery Sergeant Blonder’s tactical ability, superior marksmanship and aggressive fighting spirit inspired the platoon to continually advance on the enemy despite being highly outnumbered. He was a driving force during the eight hour battle and pushed the platoon to gain and maintain the momentum against the enemy until they were destroyed. Gunnery Sergeant Blonder’s valorous actions helped reduce a major enemy stronghold as his platoon killed over fifty enemy fighters, destroying several Taliban cells and opening the highway in Shewan to coalition convoys. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Gunnery Sergeant Blonder reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
No matter the odds any enemy thinking they have the advantage in numbers over a highly trained, highly motivated, combat ready Marine platoon led by a Gunnery Sargent like Gunnery Sargent Blonder will regret the day they were born!! OOHRAHH MARINES!!
Absolutely correct! Had a Force Recon Nam veteran training us newbies at Pendleton a long long time ago. Mess with the best die like the rest!
Semper Fi to all Marines!
Waldo 58’/64’
God I love the Marine Corps
God bless the Marine Corps
He should have received the Medal of Honor for his actions.
Some will say it was his duty. Maybe it was just the opposite that he went above and beyond that duty.
Why did he not receive the Medal of Honor, if he had been an Officer he would have?
Rock and Roll ,Gunnery kickass. I hope gold old U.S.M.C. Look after you.I know your troops will.
Semper Fidelis brother!
Oo-Rah Gunny!!!
my first thought, what the hell is a gunny doing , leading a patrol?? Thats what Cpl’s, and Sgt’s are for !
in addition to my first reply, patrol gunny? then it’s a platoon gunny? We never had any of those while I was in Nam,we had a company gunny, but he never went on “patrols” with us, something doesn’t sound right, or slow day in the rear and supposed to be a cake run, and turned to crap !
That’s what Marines, do !
Well done Gunny to you, and your platoon.
Semper Fi
G E Morton
Vietnam Vet.
Semper Fidelis, from an old corp WM.
Happy birthday Marines July 11 1798 when the united states Marine Corp was born