Lance Cpl. Donald J. Hogan, of San Clemente, California, grew up like any other young kid, not really thinking about the future, but deep down inside thinking about his grandfather, a veteran of three wars, WWII, Korea and Vietnam, who retired as a Gunnery Sergeant. Donald greatly admired his grandfather. While in high school, he was on the cross-country team, and he spent a lot of time talking about joining the Marines, getting advice from teachers, coaches and friends. He graduated from Tesoro High School in 2007, and joined the Marine Corps on November 5, 2007. His goal was to make the Marines his career, and hoped to one day achieve a higher rank than his grandfather. Assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Pendleton, California, Donald died August 26 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He received the Combat Action Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Posthumously he was awarded the Purple Heart. On January 17, 2012, Donald was awarded the Navy Cross. The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor.
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Navy Cross Citation
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Global War on Terror
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Lance Corporal
Battalion: 1st Battalion
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Donald J. Hogan, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action in action against the enemy while serving as Rifleman, Second Platoon, Company A, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, on 26 August. 2009, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. While on a dismounted patrol in Helmand province, Hogan's squad came under attack from an enemy fighter attempting to command detonate a directional fragmentation Improvised Explosive Device. Hogan observed a kite string leading onto the road from an adjacent corn field being pulled taut in an attempt to activate the Improvised Explosive Device. Familiar with this common enemy tactic, Hogan immediately recognized that the attack was imminent and that he had only moments to react. Without hesitation, Hogan hurled his body into the nearest Marine in an effort to keep him from the effects of the imminent explosion. Hogan then turned in the direction of Improvised Explosive Device and placed himself in the road so that he could effectively yell verbal warnings to the rest of his squad-mates. This desperate effort to warn the rest of the patrol bought the remaining Marines valuable seconds to begin moving away from the Improvised Explosive Device before it detonated. Mortally wounded by the explosion, Hogan's extreme act of selflessness saved a Marine's life and allowed the rest of the squad to avoid the full brunt of the fragmentation from the Improvised Explosive Device. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Hogan reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross Citation
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Global War on Terror
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Lance Corporal
Battalion: 1st Battalion
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Donald J. Hogan, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action in action against the enemy while serving as Rifleman, Second Platoon, Company A, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, on 26 August. 2009, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. While on a dismounted patrol in Helmand province, Hogan's squad came under attack from an enemy fighter attempting to command detonate a directional fragmentation Improvised Explosive Device. Hogan observed a kite string leading onto the road from an adjacent corn field being pulled taut in an attempt to activate the Improvised Explosive Device. Familiar with this common enemy tactic, Hogan immediately recognized that the attack was imminent and that he had only moments to react. Without hesitation, Hogan hurled his body into the nearest Marine in an effort to keep him from the effects of the imminent explosion. Hogan then turned in the direction of Improvised Explosive Device and placed himself in the road so that he could effectively yell verbal warnings to the rest of his squad-mates. This desperate effort to warn the rest of the patrol bought the remaining Marines valuable seconds to begin moving away from the Improvised Explosive Device before it detonated. Mortally wounded by the explosion, Hogan's extreme act of selflessness saved a Marine's life and allowed the rest of the squad to avoid the full brunt of the fragmentation from the Improvised Explosive Device. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Hogan reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Lance Cpl. Donald J. Hogan, of San Clemente, California, grew up like any other young kid, not really thinking about the future, but deep down inside thinking about his grandfather, a veteran of three wars, WWII, Korea and Vietnam, who retired as a Gunnery Sergeant. Donald greatly admired his grandfather. While in high school, he was on the cross-country team, and he spent a lot of time talking about joining the Marines, getting advice from teachers, coaches and friends. He graduated from Tesoro High School in 2007, and joined the Marine Corps on November 5, 2007. His goal was to make the Marines his career, and hoped to one day achieve a higher rank than his grandfather. Assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Pendleton, California, Donald died August 26 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He received the Combat Action Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Posthumously he was awarded the Purple Heart. On January 17, 2012, Donald was awarded the Navy Cross. The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor.
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Navy Cross Citation
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Global War on Terror
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Lance Corporal
Battalion: 1st Battalion
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Donald J. Hogan, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action in action against the enemy while serving as Rifleman, Second Platoon, Company A, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, on 26 August. 2009, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. While on a dismounted patrol in Helmand province, Hogan's squad came under attack from an enemy fighter attempting to command detonate a directional fragmentation Improvised Explosive Device. Hogan observed a kite string leading onto the road from an adjacent corn field being pulled taut in an attempt to activate the Improvised Explosive Device. Familiar with this common enemy tactic, Hogan immediately recognized that the attack was imminent and that he had only moments to react. Without hesitation, Hogan hurled his body into the nearest Marine in an effort to keep him from the effects of the imminent explosion. Hogan then turned in the direction of Improvised Explosive Device and placed himself in the road so that he could effectively yell verbal warnings to the rest of his squad-mates. This desperate effort to warn the rest of the patrol bought the remaining Marines valuable seconds to begin moving away from the Improvised Explosive Device before it detonated. Mortally wounded by the explosion, Hogan's extreme act of selflessness saved a Marine's life and allowed the rest of the squad to avoid the full brunt of the fragmentation from the Improvised Explosive Device. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Hogan reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross Citation
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Global War on Terror
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Lance Corporal
Battalion: 1st Battalion
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Donald J. Hogan, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action in action against the enemy while serving as Rifleman, Second Platoon, Company A, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, on 26 August. 2009, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. While on a dismounted patrol in Helmand province, Hogan's squad came under attack from an enemy fighter attempting to command detonate a directional fragmentation Improvised Explosive Device. Hogan observed a kite string leading onto the road from an adjacent corn field being pulled taut in an attempt to activate the Improvised Explosive Device. Familiar with this common enemy tactic, Hogan immediately recognized that the attack was imminent and that he had only moments to react. Without hesitation, Hogan hurled his body into the nearest Marine in an effort to keep him from the effects of the imminent explosion. Hogan then turned in the direction of Improvised Explosive Device and placed himself in the road so that he could effectively yell verbal warnings to the rest of his squad-mates. This desperate effort to warn the rest of the patrol bought the remaining Marines valuable seconds to begin moving away from the Improvised Explosive Device before it detonated. Mortally wounded by the explosion, Hogan's extreme act of selflessness saved a Marine's life and allowed the rest of the squad to avoid the full brunt of the fragmentation from the Improvised Explosive Device. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Hogan reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Inscription
LCPL US MARINE CORPS
AFGHANISTAN
