ANAH, Iraq (Oct. 11, 2006)
Story by Lance Cpl. Erik Villagran- Navy Seaman Aaron P. Maggard is one strong-jawed sailor.
Maggard, a 26-year-old hospital corpsman from Corsicana , Texas , attached to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, gained the respect of Marines he serves with by treating the wounds of two Marines and an Iraqi soldier. He did it all under fire while ignoring his wounds to his face.
If there were any doubts about the young sailor, they're gone now.
"He was one of the people we weren't too sure about how he'd do when we came out here," said 1st Lt. Terry A. Fellows, a 35-year-old platoon commander from Avon , N.Y. "Since we've arrived, though, he has done a great job. He has really stepped up."
Maggard's abilities stood out when his squad was hit with an improvised explosive device while conducting a foot patrol in Anah Sept. 9. Two Marines were wounded along with an Iraqi soldier and Maggard himself. Maggard treated the three, ignoring his own wounds before being medevaced.
Maggard is recovering from his wounds in the United States . His Marines recently told his story.
"We were patrolling on foot, and a command-detonated IED went off," said Pfc. Terry D. Walker, a 28-year-old rifleman from Oakland , Tenn. "Two Marines went down and were screaming they were hurt."
Maggard went to work immediately on two injured Marines and an Iraqi soldier. He paid no attention to wounds he had received. The patrol took small-arms fire, and an unharmed Iraqi soldier returned fire while Maggard and Walker treated the injured.
Gotta love those Docs!
Posted by: GunnNutt | October 24, 2006 at 11:11 PM
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/navy/a/corpsmen2.htm
The link says it all. Marines bestfriends are Corpsmens. HM2 Astor is my brother. I'm proud of him!!
Posted by: cjv | October 25, 2006 at 01:00 AM
WENT THROUGH SOMTHING SIMILAR.WHEN WE GOT HOME FROM NAM MYSELF AND TWO OTHER MARINES AND A NAVY CORPSMAN WENT TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS CLUB. THEY TURNED DOWN THE CORPSMAN AND SAID HE DOES'NT QUALIFY BECAUSE HE'S NOT A MARINE WE TOLD THEM HE IS AS MUCH A MARINE THAN ANYONE IN THIS F&^%$#$ DUMP AND WE ALL LEFT, HOW CAN A CORPSMAN NOT BE CONSIDERED A MARINE? THEY HAVE BIGGER BALLS THAN AN N.B.A.PLAYER
Posted by: BIG BRO JIM I | October 25, 2006 at 01:36 AM
Is there any reason, other than tradition and history, not to make corpsmen serving with Marine units into official Marines? The corpsmen would probably like that.
Posted by: | October 25, 2006 at 11:47 PM
I heard today that we lost 5 men in Iraq- 4 Marines and a Sailor. You can bet your damn skippy that Sailor was a Corpsman.
Damn it.
Posted by: AFSister | October 26, 2006 at 01:17 PM
“Running, running, running in the night…” he had written. Had saved from bits of overtime, missed lattes, sweaty forbearance facing unneeded desserts. “It is cold and darker than you can imagine...” Quietly searched, verified with those who know, found the prize and sent. “My mind is only to my brothers...” Weeks passed into months, prayed and continued writing into the void. “I can’t believe a stranger would do this for me.” The free-mail envelope tumbled out from amongst the junky advertisements. “It is not just me who says thank you.” Reading and trembling, I began to cry. “The boots fit and have given us new life.” The letter was signed not only by the Corpsman, but each grunt in the crew. I hadn’t known, I really hadn't known, but now, I knew.
Posted by: Red | October 26, 2006 at 02:49 PM
God bless all these people.
Posted by: Karen I. | October 26, 2006 at 03:36 PM
That was awesome, Red. Thank you for sending boots and for writing about it so well!
Posted by: GunnNutt | October 26, 2006 at 09:57 PM
YES PLEASE BLESS THOSE CORPSMAN , I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THEY SAVED WHO I DID'NT KNOW AT THE TIME SAVED MY FUTURE HUSBAND THREE TIMES IN NAM.
MY HUSBAND LOVES ALL OF OUR SERVICE MEMBERS BUT THE CORPS FIRST ALONG WITH THE NAVY CORPSMAN.
AFTER THREE PURPLE HEARTS AND 100% DISABILITY I LISTEN TO HIM.
HE TRULY LOVES HIS TROOPS
Posted by: MRS BIG BIG BRO JIM I | October 26, 2006 at 11:19 PM
Doc Duty tried saving my son's life, and did a couple of times. He drove and drove (pulled over half-way to sleep in OK City) to be at Aaron's Silver Star Ceremony in Amarillo, TX. He is an awesome corpsmen and I respect him as I do the Marines that were with Aaron on that day. The Marines, no doubt, they do too.
Posted by: De'on Miller | October 27, 2006 at 04:54 PM
follow this link: http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/2005/12/2005_the_year_i.html
page down to July-05... and read about De'on Miller's son, Aaron.
Mrs. Miller,
You have my gratitude and eternal respect. I have no doubt your son is missed terribly by his unit. He died a hero, but more importantly, he died a good, respected man.
Posted by: AFSister | October 28, 2006 at 08:35 AM
Thank you for everything. I love the Marines and appreciate them with everything in me.
Semper Fi,
De'on
Posted by: De'on Miller | February 17, 2007 at 10:40 AM
I would like to express my appreciation for recognizing the special story about Doc Maggard.
As his platoon commander during that deployment I am very proud of him and the Marines for their dedication to duty.
Semper Fidelis!
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Posted by: Rick | June 29, 2007 at 03:17 PM
This is a little old, so I'll ask...how long did it take him to recover from his wounds?
Posted by: flirting | May 21, 2010 at 01:21 AM