MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- A Depot Marine was awarded the Bronze Star with combat "V" March 17 for courageous acts in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
First Lt. Matt Zummo, assistant series commander, Special Training Company, stood before Brig. Gen. John M. Paxton Jr., commanding general, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region, and a formation of his fellow Marines to receive his award.
"It's a great honor to get this award," said Zummo. "I don't feel like I did anything special to earn it though. I know any Marine I served with would have performed just as well in the situation."
Zummo served as the Scout Platoon commander, 2nd Tank Battalion in Iraq. The battalion was on the move, and Zummo led much of the way. He used his expertise in navigation and didn't make any wrong turns or miss any objectives.
The Marines encountered heavy fire from the enemy April 3, 2003, as they neared the town of Al Aziziyah. He continued to report enemy positions and activities until a rocket-propelled grenade hit his Humvee. Shrapnel from the blast lodged into his lower back, causing severe bleeding.
"I didn't even know I was hit until I saw the blood on my hands," said Zummo. "The corpsman looked at it and told me there was shrapnel in my back."
Zummo had to leave on a medical evacuation.
"Leaving my fellow Marines on the battlefield was the hardest thing I've had to do," said Zummo. "I didn't want to leave them."
Capt. Theodore P. Sudmeyer, commanding officer, Company A, 2nd Tank Bn., wrote in his official statement, "When I last saw Lt. Zummo, he gave up his personal (Global Positioning System) to me to replace another that had been destroyed by a sniper's bullet."
Lance Cpl. Rhett W. Rowland was the driver of Zummo's vehicle and reported that even after his injuries, Zummo refused to leave the fight. He wrote, "Lt Zummo's actions during combat in the town of Al Aziziyah were unselfish, calm, collected, extremely brave, extremely courageous and always with honor."
After Zummo returned to the U.S., he was assigned to STC here.
"I just did what any Marine would do," said Zummo. "That is to accomplish the mission no matter what."