Last summer, a friend gave me a copy of my men are my heroes, the book which tells the story of marine first sergeant brad kasal, the senior nco in 31s weapons company in iraq during the november 2004 battle for fallujah. Its a pageturning, first hand account of kasal s courageous mission to rescue fallen comrades under intense enemy fire during the battle of fallujahactions that earned him the. Iowan marine known for heroic acts in iraq war relinquishes sword of office. The brad kasal story selected in 2012 for the usmc commandants recommended reading list and as a marine corps legend book. This is the first paperback edition of the riveting story of legendary u. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read my men are my heroes. The sculpture commemorating this event will be unveiled friday aboard camp lejeune. History of the 353rd infantry regiment regimental directory. On november th, 2004 several marines entered a building where insurgent scumbags were waiting. Its a pageturning, firsthand account of kasals courageous mission to rescue fallen comrades under intense enemy fire. Bradley kasal, perhaps best known for appearing in an iconic image by photographer lucian read, retired from his post as sergeant major of i marine expeditionary force on may 18, marine. Navy cross recipient and marine behind iconic fallujah photo retires. While moving towards the wounded marine, first sergeant kasal and another marine came under.
Yes, the marines who ultimately helped evacuate him and the other wounded marines were heroes, but sergeant major kasal is. This photo is from the most recent major offensive in fallujah. First sergeant kasal lost much of his blood and nearly lost his right leg after being shot seven times by insurgents. Sergeant major bradley kasals is famous marine corps wide for his heroic. If you know of somebody that was assigned to the 352nd that we do not show below, please contact us. The book characterizes kasal as an icon even prior to his heroism in. One of the most gripping images of operation iraqi freedom showing wounded marine 1st sgt. The picture has become iconic, but what happened in this. Foreword one of the most difficult tasks in connection with the regimental history was the preparation of its directories. Legendary marine sergeant major bradley kasals retirement. The story of two marines a threepart report follows the recovery of two marines wounded in fallujah.
Iowan marine known for heroism in iraq relinquishes sword of office. If for some reason, the name is not familiar to you, please click on the link first. Kasal s account of what he did that day is modest almost in keeping with the title of this book. Sergeant major bradley kasal visits camp pendleton to promote a book about his life. Helms is a vietnam veteran and former police officer, who lives in st. Many of you keep asking for updates on the condition of marine first sergeant brad kasal.
Kasal sacrificed his own safety to save a room full of fellow marines. The remarkable saga of sergeant major brad kasal, usmc during his stand at the hell house in fallujah, iraq that earned him a navy cross and a. Those who had anything to do do with national army paper work will remember that transferred men carried their records with them. Fallujahs hell house and the photo described as no man. Sergeant major bradley kasal s is famous marine corps wide for his heroic actions in the battle of fallujah, iraq. After four months of ambushes, ieds, and deadly skirmishes 31 is ordered into fallujah, to take the ancient city back from al qaeda and the foreign fighters who had turned the ancient city of. After four months of ambushes, ieds and deadly skirmishes 31 is ordered into fallujah, to take the ancient city back from al qaeda and the foreign fighters who had turned the ancient city of mosques into a fortress. A riveting account of combat heroism, an analysis of the roots of upstanding personal qualities, and a classic tale of a smalltown boy rising to the challenge of world events. Sergeant major bradley kasal, the pride of iowa, is a small town boy who wanted to be a united states marine even before a poster perfect marine recruiter marched into his high school gym and offered him a challenge kasal couldnt resist. Sergeant major bradley kasal whom you know from his heroic exploits in the marine corps as told by our very own grunt style 1st sergeant, is retiring from the marine corps today. The book is called my men are my heroes, the bradley kasal. Bradley kasal, the outgoing i marine expeditionary force.
Navy cross recipient and marine behind iconic fallujah. And while you would have a hard time convincing now sergeant major kasal that he is a hero, he would confess that he is but a representative of the marines who fought so gallantly in the second battle of fallujah. Bradley allan kasal born may 1, 1966 is a united states marine who received the navy cross for heroic actions performed as the first sergeant of weapons company, 3rd battalion, 1st marines during a firefight in operation phantom fury in fallujah, iraq on november, 2004. The battle for fallujah as its never been told, in the words of americas heroic brad kasal, who led his men doortodoor into the deadly din of enemy fire.
Sgt maj brad kasal retired yesterday from the usmc after 34 years. Brad kasal someone you should know radio blackfive. His back was also peppered with shrapnel after he used his body to. Ask any look through any history book and youll see the. Sergeant major bradley kasal, the pride of iowa, is a small town boy who wanted to.
History of the 353rd infantry regiment, 89th division, national army from september, 1917 to june, 1919. The riveting story of one hero who defines courage under fire. The then 1st sgt brad kasal found himself deeply immersed in the intense fighting. Kasal is the 1st sergeant of weapons company, 31, the armored fist of a light infantry battalion. James porterfield at a ceremony held at camp pendleton, california, on may 18.
Take note ladies and gentlemen from the civilian world and the military world as well, this is a historic day. Bradley kasal handed over the reigns as sergeant major of i marine expeditionary force to sgt. Marine hero to be decorated for his bravery first sgt. As a young marine corps recruit i was told about his heroism by my drill. Kasal replaces green as i mefs top enlisted leader. One of the marine corps most iconic enlisted leaders just.
First sergeant kasal was assisting 1st section, combined antiarmor platoon as they provided a traveling over watch for 3d platoon when he heard a large volume of fire erupt to his immediate front, shortly followed by marines rapidly exiting a structure. A book about kasals career in the marines, my men are my heroes. Yes, the marines who ultimately helped evacuate him and the other wounded marines were heroes, but sergeant major kasal is a hero, too. By tony perry, times staff writer may 1, 2006 camp pendleton it has become one of the iconic pictures of the war in iraq. One of the bravest marines in the corps just retired, and. Geoff milke who blogs as senorlechero posts updates every few weeks and sends this email.
Sergeant major bradley kasal, the pride of iowa, is a small town boy who. Marine first sergeant brad kasal updates blackfive. Based on this book, his conduct was in line with countless acts of heroism in the annals of the marine corps. Most marines know him as an incredible leader who epitomized corps values and. One of the marine corps most legendary heroes from iraq. First sergeant kasal was assisting 1st section, combined antiarmor platoon as they provided a traveling over watch for 3d platoon when he heard a large volume of fire erupt to his immediate front. Brad kasal was badly injured but saved several lives in a firefight with insurgents in iraq. This book suffers from the fact that it was in part written to justify the service of kasal s fel first sergeant brad kasal was wounded on the marines second battle thru the streets of fallujah when he went into a kill house to retrieve andor rescue the marines already in contact with insurgents.
It is a pageturning account of kasals courageous mission to rescue fallen comrades while under intense enemy fire during the battle of fallujah. Bradley kasal, covered with blood, being carried out of fallujahs famous hell house by his fellow soldiers. He grew up on farm like most other families in his hometown. The picture of first sergeant kasal would go on to become an iconic image of the war in iraq and an actual memorial and war statue. Kasal is the 1st sergeant of weapons company, 31, the armoured fist of a light infantry battalion. A recipient of the navy cross and marine behind one of the most iconic photographs from the iraq war retired from the corps after 34 years of service. Kasal s life leading up to his most honorable moment while in the battle of fallujah. Thats when killing machine kasal sprinted into the house to render aid.
Sgt maj brad kasal retired yesterday from the usmc after. In fallujah on 114 he earned the navy cross and was photographed walking out of the house of hell after being shot 7 times and hit by 43 pieces of shrapnel. Brad kasal of afton is known for his heroism in the iraq war. When first sergeant kasal learned that marines were pinned down inside the house by an unknown number of enemy personnel, he joined a squad making entry to clear the structure and rescue the marines inside. Its a pageturning, firsthand account of kasals courageous mission to rescue fallen comrades under intense enemy fire during the battle of fallujahactions. Iowan marine known for heroism in iraq relinquishes sword.