14APR2004: Serving as a rifle squad leader in Husaybah, Iraq, CPL Dunham's team was called upon when his battalion commander's convoy was ambushed. As the approached the scene, CPL Dunham dismounted his vehicle and with a fire team, moved towards the engagement area. Enroute, CPL Dunham's team came across a series of suspicious vehicles attempting to flee the scene. Stopping these vehicles, the Marines began a search quickly identifying AK-47 assault rifles. At that point, the driver of the vehicle attacked the Marines in an attempt to escape. CPL Dunham tackled the man to the ground and watched as he dropped a live grenade among the Americans. Without hesitation, CPL Dunham yelled a warning to his teammates and threw his body on the grenade, absorbing the full brunt of the explosion. On 22APR2004, CPL Jason Dunham died of his wounds sustained from the grenade blast. His selfless act saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines that day, an action for which he would be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

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