Master Gunnery Sergeant Alain Reyes and Master Sergeant Greg Bartel saving the world
Nearly two years ago, Charles Richard Jennings, Jr shot his father-in-law, James Evans, in church at their Father’s Day Mass. When the shooting ended, Jennings lit out, but he didn’t know that there were two military careerists in hot pursuit. Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant Alain Reyes and Air Force Master Sergeant Greg Bartel were both unarmed and the made the conscious decision to chase the gunman from the church. Gunny Reyes led police to Jennings. According to iCatholic;
For their actions, Reyes and Bartel are being commended by the United States armed forces. Reyes, a Marine Corps master gunnery sergeant who was stationed in Utah as a recruiter and now is at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot in San Diego, received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal on Dec. 5. The medal is the Navy’s second highest non-combat decoration awarded for heroism.
Bartel, a master sergeant in the Air Force Reserve, will be presented with the Airman’s Medal on Jan. 11. The award is given to those who have distinguished themselves by a heroic act, usually at the voluntary risk of his or her life, but not involving actual combat.
Both men shy from being called a hero, even though they chased an armed man when they themselves had no weapon or protective clothing.
“It had to come to a stop; there were a lot more lives at stake than just mine,” said Bartel, whose career field is aircraft maintenance. “It has nothing to do with training … you just have to be willing.”
Reyes, who received the Marine Corps’ basic rifleman training but worked in transportation before becoming a recruiter, agreed that he acted on instinct rather than from training.
Jennings’ father-in-law survived his wounds and Jennings is currently doing five-to-life.
Thanks to Chief Tango for the link.
Category: Real Soldiers
James Evans amazingly recovered from a gunshot wound to the back of his head. The coward who shot him is in Prison for a VERY long time.
Father Erik Richtsteig, Pastor at St. James the Just, is someone who folks here would probably like quite a bit. He carries concealed, and spends a fir amount of time at the range maintaining proficiency.
Prior to this, he was chaplain at Hill AFB. His father was a veteran.
Father Erik is candid, plain spoken, and an all around nice fellow.
No doubt I would like Father Erik. 🙂
Two good men, doing the right thing.
A credit to the military and their country.
Fortunately the Father in Law recovered. if that isn’t proof that God was in that church that Sunday morning, I don’t know what would be.
Good job for the two military men and the good Priest that will no doubt carry in his church.
That is a good omen for the future.