LTC David P. Diamond saving the world
Chief Tango sends us a link to the story of Lieutenant Colonel David P. Diamond ho was awarded the Soldiers Medal by Senator John McCain on Capitol Hill last month for his actions at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013, when two terrorists detonated a bomb at the finish line of the race.
Diamond had just completed a personal best time in the marathon when the bomb detonated near by. He ran towards the sound of the blast and began treating the victims that he found there. You can read the complete account of his actions that at the link.
“This [award] is really a reflection of my profession of arms, not of myself,” Diamond said, after receiving the medal. He serves now as legislative affairs officer within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. “I come from great stock, and great training and great leadership. It’s a culture, a family we have developed together. Those actions are really representative of what we all do in the military.”
Category: Real Soldiers
The DoD needs to get its head out of its collective 5th point of contact.
If it has been determined that those injured by terrorist attacks in a non-theater of war deserve the PH, then shouldn’t those exhibiting valor in those same incidents rate a combat award for valor over a peacetime award?
That being said, bravo zulu sir.
I don’t disagree with your point, but I believe that the onus actually might fall equally on Congress.
Also, if no one put the soldiers in for HF/IDP it rules out the Bronze Star.
At least he was recognized for his actions.
Our thanks, Colonel.
By my count, this is the 6th Soldiers Medal awarded to military personnel for their swift reaction to the bombing.
Its interesting to note why it has taken so long for all of these to be awarded. Several were awarded within months of the incident, why not all?
In this fellow’s case, I can guess, given his current job and who was in the photo.
It probably didn’t hurt.
Why McCain, because he is in a tough race back home and just dissed Trump? As a former Navy pilot, McCain was shocked, shocked he said by Trumps locker room banter with Bush. Back in the day, medals were pinned on by commanding officers, and pilots were usually the raunchiest of the pack good naturedly of course.
McCain is a total pice of shit
I’m voting this year to help that pice of crap ?
Out the door ?
He is half the reason why the Phoenix VA is a train wreck
Two he is a two face carpet bagging lying son of a bitch
Don’t hod back, Skippy – tell us how you REALLY feel!
I’m with you on that BTW. No longer in AZ myself, but encourage my family to oust him every cycle.
Congrats to the LTC !!!!
HOOAH
but why did mcshit have to be in the pic
Kinda like being awarded the MoH by the current CiC – mixed emotions….
???
Outstanding job Sir. And an outstanding name too….Diamond Dave!
“…After helping take the man to the ambulance, Diamond was pushed outside the security perimeter, and was unable to continue to offer assistance.”
I’d like to know who the jackass was that wouldn’t let the good colonel continue to assist.
Good on ya LTC!
Well, I get that. The chaos that ensued needed to be addressed, which meant uniformed personnel and those with badges inside and everyone else outside. There’s not a lot of time to conduct fie;ld interviews and everyone still ambulatory was a potential suspect.
Thanks AC. I ‘spose he didn’t have a need to be carrying his mil ID with him.
I’ve been involved in hurricane disaster responses a couple of times. The facts are that in any emergency, the pre-trained team works best together. There is no time to vet volunteers – regardless of how good they may (or may not) be.
In my ignorance, we showed up with Boy Scouts and Venturers in uniform, but because we had not been training for disaster response with the other emergency crews, there was no place they could use us, no time to get us integrated with their team.
After one hurricane, we took training with one of the disaster response groups later, and the next hurricane we could help.