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Corpsman Up! Pt II
By Slab
Since, due to my meager compositional abilities, my earlier post failed to sufficiently highlight the bravery of HN Maggard, I hope that this post will re-emphasize my point that HM3 Bacos is not representative of FMF Corpsmen.
I'm lagging a bit behind due to work, et al. However, as I was trying to stay abreast of the Valour-IT drive, I came across a post on Villainous Company referencing a New York Times article about Hospitalman Third Class Dustin Kirby and his efforts to save a wounded friend. I immediately sat up and began reading furiously, as Doc Kirby was MY Doc just last year.
HM3 Dustin Kirby
Cassandra's post: With Pen In Hand...
The NYT article: Tending a Fallen Marine, With Skill, Prayer and Fury
At the time, I was the executive officer of Headquarters and Service Company, 2d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. I was also assigned to command the battalion's Security Platoon, an organization which is made up of Marines from across the different occupational fields in H&S Co (i.e. cooks, mechanics, admin clerks). It wasn't a glorious assignment, but since I had been lucky enough to command a rifle platoon on two combat deployments, I figured I was due for a crappy job. It turned out to be much better (and toughter) than I thought.
One of the highlights was then-HN Dustin Kirby. Unlike many of his fellow Corpsmen, Kirby was not assigned to a line unit, he was kept at the Battalion Aid Station (BAS). The BAS Corpsmen are usually the ones pulling the brunt of the duty at sick call, shot call, etc. They don't get to run around in the muck with the grunts, like their counterparts in the line companies. Doc Kirby jumped at the opportunity to work with Security Platoon. I was immediately impressed by his boundless enthusiasm. This was a guy who wanted, with every fiber of his being, to be out there on the line, right alongside the grunts, and standing by to help them when they needed it the most.
We didn't see any combat on that deployment, as Central Command wanted to keep our Marine Expeditionary Unit in reserve in case of any contingencies (we questioned the wisdom of that decision at the time, but the recent evacuation of Beirut is a great example of why we were kept out of Iraq). We spent a month training in Kuwait, and Doc Kirby couldn't wait to get out on some of the ranges with the Marines. One range in particular featured a moving target which simulated a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device approaching a checkpoint. The objective was for the Marines to shoot the driver before it reached the checkpoint. Doc Kirby outshot every Marine in the platoon.
(Aside: The MPRI instructors told the Marines to fire their weapons on 3-round burst and try to put as many rounds downrange as possible. When the platoon sergeant and I questioned them, they said it was best to put a "wall of lead" downrange to stop the target as soon as possible. We tried it their way for the first run-through. The target usually got to within 50-75 meters of the checkpoint before getting knocked down. Then we told them we would do it our way, and the Marines switched to firing one well-aimed shot at a time. They consistently knocked the target down over 300 meters away, and every time it popped back up they promptly knocked it down again. Although the MPRI instructors were extremely helpful, they never questioned our wisdom on how to employ our Marines again.)
As I read the Times article, I found myself nearly overwhelmed with several emotions. I empathized with Doc Kirby's anguish and rage over what happened to his friend. I felt anger and hatred towards the sniper who struck that young Marine down. I felt hope, when I read about the Marines searching the house. Hope that the sniper would still be in there, and that he would try to pick a fight with Marines face to face and at close range, guaranteeing himself a swift and violent end.
Most of all, I felt pride. Pride in the job that HM3 Kirby and the Marines and Sailors of "America's Battalion" are doing over there. Pride that I can say that I have served with Doc Kirby, and know just what kind of man he is. Make no mistake, Dustin Kirby is one of our finest, and I truly hope that I have the opportunity to serve with him again.
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Comments
I identified with HM3 Kirby's anguish, which I guess is the objective of any journalist... for you to empathize with his subject. God bless him and keep him... he sounds like a good Corpsman.
What is the DoD policy regarding the publishing of casualty names? I thought it was only verboten if done BEFORE the family has been notified.
Fwiw, Chivers is a former 0302
Hello, I read his article and I am truely proud of Dustin Kirby. My sister went to school with him and I know him through my sister. Dustin was in my AJROTC Battalion and SGM Holman told me about how Dustin sent an email to him. And I wanted desperatly to see what was going on. So I went to this website and read the article. I am in tears right now. I am so proud of Dustin, he is an amazingly sweet guy and I hope the best for him. God Bless our troops.
Thanks for the support. I am Kirby's little sister Destiny. If you would like to email me my email address is itsmissyd@yahoo.com
I promise to keep you updated on his status in Iraq. But I will let you know his humvee was hit with an IED last week but is fine and is currently back in the field.
I will also say this. I know everyone has their opinion about the war and bush and all that, since I have displayed my email for those that DO support my brother I would like those that don't to not email me!
Im here with Doc Kirby in Iraq and we are all glad to have him here. Famous or not.
Doc Kirby was severly wounded by a sniper on Christmas. Please pray for Dustin.
I went to ROTC with your son. I am so sorry for what has happened. I will pray for him. I know it has to be hard. If there is anything I can do please let me know. Anthonytoste@hotmail.com I again am sorry Anthony Toste
I don't know how you do it bro but I'm having a hell of a time being back. Damn thing isn't easy, I don't know if its better to dissapear or suck it up and make the best of it.
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Matty O'Blackfive wrote about it too.. but with dramatically different views than Cassandra's. I agree with Cass- I find myself on the opposite side of an issue with Matt for the first time ever, I think.