The Gift of Valor: A War Story

by Michael M. Phillips

Book Overview

The true story of US Marine Corporal Jason Dunham's brave act that saved fellow Marines and earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Corporal Dunham was on patrol near the Syrian border, on April 14, 2004, when a black-clad Iraqi leaped out of a car and grabbed him around his neck. Fighting hand-to-hand in the dirt, Dunham saw his attacker drop a grenade and made the instantaneous decision to place his own helmet over the explosive...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0767920384
• ISBN13: 9780767920384
• Release Date: May 2006
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Not just another combat story for this Marine Mom

April 14th, 2004, the world changed for many people. Me included. On patrol in Husaybah, the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Kilo Company Marines were patrolling, securing the area after an attack on a Marine convoy. At a vehicle check, an Iraqi insurgent burst from his vehicle with a loaded grenade, attacking Corporal Jason Dunham and his squad. Corporal Dunham was mortally wounded in the attack while saving the lives of the Marines who fought the insurgent with him. One of the Marines he saved is a young man I have known for fifteen years, who I watched grow up. Everybody should read this book. It brings the daily lives and duties of our brave Marines to blinding light, and will show you from an insider's view how ALL of these husbands, sons, and fathers are heroes, every day there are out there. Jason's heroism and tragedy is real, not just a sound-bite on your evening news. Michael M. Phillips has meticulously detailed this event, using painstaking second-by-second accounts of the convoy, the attack, and the vehicle check. He diligently follows Jason's route home, from medical corpsmen to medevac, hospital to hospital, until he reaches American soil at last. There are some gruesome accounts of the Marine's injuries and the surgeries that followed, so be prepared. This book is not for the squeamish, but war isn't pretty. Combat is not our men and women wearing their dress blues; combat is our men and women wounded, bleeding, and dying. Michaels details the military medical community, and the dedication these men and women have to the combat soldiers they care for. Anyone who follows my reviews will see that I am a horror aficionado. 'The Gift Of Valor' is the most horrifying book I have ever read, because it is real, because it hits straight to the heart. I cried all through the book and I'm crying as I write this review. I say it again: Everybody should read this book. Everyone should know what its like for the men and women we rely on everyday; everyone should feel the pain of losing Jason. To all my marines at Twenty-nine Palms, to my 'special son' Lance Corporal William Hampton, to PFC Kelly Miller, to each and every one of you who came to my house for a weekend of relaxation...know this: "Mom" loves you!

A future classic book on this war

During a firefight in Iraq, along the Syrian border, Marine Corporal Jason Dunham sacrificed his own life, to save the lives of his comrades. This is the story of Corporal Dunham: his life, his service and his heroism. I must admit, that I finished this book some time ago, but it has taken me a long time to actually write this review. Yes, this is a war story, but the author, who has done four tours in Iraq as an embedded journalist, has done an excellent job. This isn't a simple story, instead it is the story of life, good and bad, and war, with its times of fun and comradeship, and times of horror and desperation. Indeed, that is why this book took me so long to review. This book doesn't just tell you the story of Corporal Dunham, instead it brings you along, into his life and death. And when it's all done, you will also probably feel somewhat wrung out, as if you had been right there for it all. Overall, I found this to be a great read, no doubt the greatest work to come out of this war so far. If you are at all interested in Iraq and the soldiers there, then I highly recommend this book to you. In the future, this will undoubtedly be seen as a classic book on this war.

A True "Gift"

Every American should read this book. I have followed the poignant saga of Marine Corporal Jason Dunham for over a year now, and I continually ask myself, "where do we find such men?" Cpl Dunham's journey is movingly told in "The Gift of Valor," and it tells a story of real men, real violence, real compassion and real humanity. The selfless and heroic actions of Cpl Dunham and his Marine brothers are described in detail. The reader receives a healthy dose of the violence and brutality of war, but it also shows how young Americans willingly going into harm's way for abstract ideals like camaraderie, brotherhood, and espirit de corps. I have already bought 4 copies of "Gift" to send to close friends, and will likely buy more. This book is destined to become a classic, which is fitting for the memory of Cpl Dunham, who surely passed Carl Sandburg's test ("Valor is a gift. Those having it never know for sure whether they have it till the test comes."). Cpl Dunham can be proud that he passed the test, and that his memory will live on as an example for others.

A book for all Marines and those who want to know war.

What a great book and a gift to all Marines. You won't be able to put it down once you start reading. Tells the combat life of Marines the way it is shorn of all the lies and deceit used by politicians of all stripes to justify their wars.

A Giant of a Book

Do not let this book's spare 241 pages deceive you. It is a beautifully written, at times raw, elegant telling of one war story from Iraq; a story that should leave you emotionally drained, yet also comforted when you finally put it down. Throughout the story, a central tenet of the United States Marine Corps, "No Marine left behind", is shown to be true. From his training through deployment, to battle and injury and medical evacuation leading home to his final resting place, Corporal Jason L. Dunham, USMC and his family were accompanied by, comforted by and protected by his fellow Marines. To a Marine parent, the knowledge that one's child will never be left alone is as reassuring as anything could be under those circumstances. Mr. Phillips, in my opinion, has equalled Dr. Ronald Glasser's 1971 Vietnam classic "365 Days". His vivid descriptions of battle, medical care, family support and humor left me misty-eyed many times. Well worth reading and passing on to others. Favorite line (pg. 110)- Miller assured Ferguson that he was O.K. but added, "My mom is going to be ....ing pissed."