USS JASON DUNHAM to be commissioned in Port Everglades

The Navy recently announced that the USS Jason Dunham, the Navy’s most advanced warship would be commissioned in Port Everglades this November. The exact date has not yet been announced but the event is expected to draw thousands to the port. The last time a ship was commissioned in Port Everglades was in 2005 and drew a crowd of 5,000. Hopes are high that this commissioning will draw a larger crowd of patriotic Americans when they hear the story behind this ship’s name.

The warship is named after heroic United States Marine Corporal Jason Dunham who served with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment (3/7), during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

While in combat in Iraq an insurgent threw a grenade that landed next to Dunham. To protect his fellow marines who were in close proximity Dunham sacrificed himself and without hesitation dove on top of the grenade. He sustained serious injuries from the blast and died eight days later, he was 22.

During the dedication of the National Museum of the Marine Corp. on November 10, 2006 (the Marine Corp. birthday and coincidentally Dunham’s birthday as well) President George W. Bush announced Dunham would be awarded the Medal of Honor, making him the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the first Marine to receive the medal since the Vietnam War.

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is awarded to members of the armed forces who distinguish themselves at the risk of their life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy.

President George W. Bush issued the Medal of Honor Citation Posthumous on January 11, 2007 where he said, “As long as we have Marines like Corporal Dunham, America will never fear for her liberty.”

MarEx will be in attendance to report on the event this fall.