by REERA YOO
A former Navy hospital corpsman was awarded a Silver Star, the U.S. military’s third highest decoration for valor, at Camp Pendleton for saving an injured Marine during an enemy ambush in Afghanistan.
Jonathan Kong, now a pre-med student, was serving under the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment on June 13,2011 when his platoon was ambushed by the Taliban. After Kong saw a Marine get shot in the chest and fall to the ground, he boldly charged from his covered position into the kill zone, dodging a “hail of bullets,” and pulled the wounded Marine to safety, according to NBC San Diego.
“People tell me I was brave and courageous, but ultimately, I wasn’t even thinking,” Kong said.
After treating the Marine for his injuries, Kong then provided vital information about the enemy’s position, said Navy officials.
(Photo via Armed Forces’ Facebook Page and Examiner)
Kong was awarded the Silver Star on Sept. 19 and was meritoriously promoted to petty officer second-class. As he was presented the prestigious medal, Kong humbly said he did not deserve it as he was simply following his instincts and called his actions “almost more stupid than it was brave.”
In addition to the Silver Star, Kong was also presented with the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. The San Jose native finished his six-year tour in the Navy in 2013 and is currently studying medicine at Stanford in hopes of becoming a doctor.
Featured photo via UT San Diego
