Sean Andrew Stokes | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 6, 1983 |
| Died | July 30, 2007 (aged 24) near Kharma, Iraq |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |  United States Marine Corps |
| Rank |  Corporal |
| Unit | 3rd Battalion 1st Marines |
| Battles/wars | Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Awards |  Silver Star Purple Heart x3 Combat Action Ribbon Navy Unit Commendation Good Conduct Medal National Defense Service Medal Iraq Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Sea Service Deployment Ribbon |
| Website | www |
Sean Andrew Stokes (February 6, 1983 - July 30, 2007) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Silver Star for actions while serving with 3rd Battalion 1st Marines during the Second Battle of Fallujah.[1][2][3]
Career edit
Stokes enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.[3]
Court Martial edit
In early 2004, then-Lance Corporal Stokes left his unit without permission in order to help a family member escape from domestic violence. After moving her to a new house, Stokes returned to Camp Pendleton and was subsequently court marshalled, reduced to the rank of Private, and transferred to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines (3/1).[4]
Fallujah edit
A few months after arriving at 3/1, Stokes deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, where in November of 2004, he participated in Operation Phantom Fury.[3][5][6]
Haditha edit
In 2005, Stokes returned to Iraq, this time near the city of Haditha. [4]
Tharthar edit
3/1 deployed again in 2007, and Stokes, by now a Corporal, was selected to serve on the Battalion Commander's Personal Security Detachment.[4]
Death edit
On 30 July 2007, while escorting the Battalion Commander accross 3/1's Area of Operarions in Iraq's Tharthar region, the convoy came to a section of road which had been rendered impassable by an improvised explosive device (IED) several days prior. Following protocol, Stokes dismounted his vehicle and began to sweep the surrounding area before attempting to move the convoy around the crater. However, he failed to see the well-concealed IED below him, which detonated when he stepped on it, wounding him fatally.[6][7]
In Popular Culture edit
Print Media edit
Military historian Patrick O'Donnell was embedded with Stokes' platoon for one year leading up to and during their deployment to Fallujah, and Stokes is a prominent figure in his 2006 non-fiction book We Were One: Shoulder to Shoulder with the Marines Who Took Fallujah [3] .
Shootout! edit
In 2006, Stokes was featured in an episode of "Shootout!" on the History Channel entitled "D-Day: Fallujah", wherein his actions in 2004 are dramatized while he and other Marines recount the details.[5]
Silver Star Citation edit
The President of the United States
Takes Pride in Presenting The Silver Star (Posthumously) To:
Sean Andrew Stokes.
Corporal, United States Marine Corps
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Rifleman, First Platoon, Company L, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from 9 November 2004 to 18 November 2004, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 03-05. Throughout nine days of high intensity urban combat in Fallujah, Corporal Stokes fought as his unit's point man, requiring him to repeatedly be the first man to engage enemy forces. On 9 and 11 November, Corporal Stokes led a four man element into a building held by armed enemy. As they entered the building, his element was engaged with automatic rifle fire from within. Fearless in the face of danger, Corporal Stokes pressed forward in the close confines of the building against the enemy fire and killed the insurgent before his fellow Marines could be injured. On 17 November, an enemy hand grenade exploded beneath Corporal Stokes as he cleared a small house, severely wounding him. Though dazed and wounded from the blast, and rather than attempting to save himself and exit the building, he chose to ensure the Marines around him were protected and began suppressing the enemy within the house with his rifle. The fire he provided allowed the rest of his team to reach a covered position outside the house, where they organized an assault and reentered the building, killing the enemy in a counterattack. Corporal Stokes fought through Fallujah with the resolve of closing on the enemy, while protecting the Marines around him at all costs. By his extraordinary heroism in the face of extreme danger, zealous initiative, and exceptional dedication to duty, Corporal Stokes reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.[2]
References edit
- ^ "U.S. MARINE CORPS RECIPIENTS OF THE SILVER STAR MEDAL For Actions Since September 11, 2001". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- ^ a b "Valor awards for Sean Andrew Stokes". Military Times. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- ^ a b c d O'Donnell, Patrick K. (2006). We Were One: Shoulder to Shoulder with the Marines Who Took Fallujah (1st ed.). Cambridge, Mass.: Da Capo. ISBN 978-0-306-81573-7.
- ^ a b c O'Donnell, Patrick. "Saving of Private Stokes" (PDF). Sean Andrew Stokes Memorial. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ a b "D-Day: Fallujah". Shootout!. Season 1. History Channel.
- ^ a b Hurt, Andy (11 August 2007). "Young legend killed in Al Anbar province". Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- ^ "IED EXPLOSION(IED) ATTK ON BLT 3/1 IVO (ROUTE LINCOLN ): 1 CF WIA 1 CF KIA 3 AIF DET". WikiLeaks. 30 July 2007. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
External links edit
- "Sean A Stokes". Fallen Heroes Project.
- Spano, John. "Marine Cpl. Sean A. Stokes, 24, Auburn; killed by improvised explosive". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- moddis (10 August 2007). "Cpl. Sean Stokes: Your Point Man". Human Events.
- admin (6 November 2006). "Remember the Heroes of Fallujah". Human Events.
- Miller, Michelle (5 August 2007). "LOP mourns Marine's death". Auburn Journal.
- Koopman, John (16 February 2008). "War hero awarded Silver Star after his death". SFGate.