Master Sgt. William “Spanky” Gibson appointed to staff NCO congressional fellowship

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, Oct. 31, 2008 – A non-commissioned officer who returned to Iraq nine months ago after his left leg was amputated above the knee soon will represent the Marine Corps in the halls of Congress.

Master Sgt. William “Spanky” Gibson, whose courage President Bush recognized during March 19 remarks on the fifth anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom, is one of three Marines selected for the first staff NCO congressional fellowships under new Marine Corps parameters for its part in the Defense Department congressional fellowships program.

Bush, who described Gibson’s successful effort to rejoin the fight in Iraq, said that with Americans like Gibson serving, the enemy doesn’t have a chance.

“I want to assist the Marine Corps globally,” said Gibson, 37. “I want to show what staff NCOs can do in a position that staff NCOs have never been challenged in.”

The Marine Corps congressional fellowship is a year-long program opened to staff NCOs for the first time this year. Gibson lost his leg in May 2006 after being shot in the knee by a sniper while serving in Ramadi, Iraq, as a joint terminal attack controller for 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company. After extensive rehabilitation at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Gibson set out to prove he was fit for duty. He trained for and participated in endurance races and triathlons.

In June 2007, he competed in the “Escape from Alcatraz” triathlon in San Francisco, where he met and asked Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis, who then commanded Marine forces serving in the U.S. Central Command area of operations, to let him return to Iraq. (continue reading…)

SECNAV Names New Zumwalt-Class Destroyer USS Michael Monsoor

Secretary of the Navy, Donald C. Winter announced last night at a Navy SEAL Warrior Fund Benefit Gala at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, the name of the newest Zumwalt-class Destroyer will be USS Michael Monsoor. Designated as DDG- 1001, the name honors Petty Officer 2^nd Class Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on Sept. 29, 2006.

Winter discussed the qualities, values, and dedication to duty that Navy SEAL’s exemplify, including the extraordinary acts of Michael Monsoor. (continue reading…)

ALEXANDRIA, La., Oct. 24, 2008 – Along with the variety of camouflaged military vehicles that rolled along Louisiana’s roadways during hurricanes Gustav and Ike, two newly wrapped trailers, covered with an American flag design and National Guard logo, rushed to distribution points to make deliveries to soldiers and residents in need of supplies.

The moving billboards recently were added to the Louisiana Army National Guard’s fleet, and they made their first runs hauling water, ice, meals and cots.

The National Guard distributed more than 15 million bottles of water, 13.4 million pounds of ice, 11.6 million packaged meals and 55,000 tarps during its response to the hurricanes, Army Capt. Marc E. Prymek, deputy director of military support at the Joint Operations Center at Camp Beauregard, La., said. (continue reading…)