21 Facts About Justin LeHew

Justin LeHew was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on 23 and 24 March 2003 during the initial 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Justin LeHew was hand picked to spearhead the rescue operation and recovery of the US Army's 507th Maintenance Company on 23 March and subsequently was called upon again to take part in the rescue operation of US Army Private Jessica Lynch on 1 April 2003.

Justin LeHew is a recipient of the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device denoting Valor for his heroic actions from 5 to 28 August 2004 during the Battle of Najaf.

Justin LeHew then deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit as a section leader in April 1993 and participated in Operation Provide Promise and Operation Deny Flight in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In January 1994, as a sergeant, Justin LeHew received orders back to Camp Pendleton for duty as an instructor at the Assault Amphibian School.

From January 1994 to October 1996, Justin LeHew served in a variety of billets at the school ranging from crew chief, class commander, platoon sergeant and classroom instructor and was named Instructor of the Year for two consecutive years at the school.

Justin LeHew attended the Basic Vehicle Repairman Course during this time and received a secondary military occupational specialty as an AAV mechanic.

In October 1996, Justin LeHew graduated Drill Instructor School at MCRD San Diego and reported to Company G, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, where he served as drill instructor, senior drill instructor and academics instructor.

From January 2000 to October 2002, as a gunnery sergeant, Justin LeHew returned to Camp LeJeune for duty as a platoon sergeant with Company D, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion.

In October 2002, Justin LeHew transferred to Company A for service as platoon sergeant for 3rd platoon and deployed in January 2003 to Operation Iraqi Freedom with Regimental Combat Team 2 and Task Force Tarawa.

On March 23,2003, Justin LeHew was an assault amphibian vehicle platoon sergeant who was leading an armored column into the city of Nasiriyah when he was called upon to rescue the remaining soldiers of the ill-fated US Army 507th Maintenance Company led by Captain Troy King, who was ambushed just hours earlier.

Justin LeHew was later involved in the rescue and recovery operation of US Army Private Jessica Lynch from the hospital in Nasiriya.

In June 2003, Justin LeHew received orders to transfer back to Camp Pendleton for service with Company A, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion as company operations chief.

Justin LeHew distinguished himself in combat during the battle of Najaf from 5 to 28 August 2004, earning the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device for his heroic actions against the Mahdi Army of Moqtada al-Sadr.

Justin LeHew is most notably remembered by his men for purposely exposing himself on numerous occasions to draw enemy sniper fire away from his men to allow them to maneuver and neutralize the enemy position, ultimately saving many Marines' lives, in addition to personally treating and carrying a Marine out of the Wadi A Salaam cemetery in his arms with a sucking chest wound over 100 meters under fire, saving his Marine's life.

Justin LeHew transferred to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion upon return to CONUS and served as both Company A and Company D first sergeant simultaneously for a two-year period in addition to reactivating 1st Force Reconnaissance Company.

Justin LeHew transferred from the battalion upon return to the United States in March 2010 and was assigned to the Assault Amphibian School.

Justin LeHew transferred from the Assault Amphibian School in April 2011 and was assigned as the regimental sergeant major of the 3rd Marine Regiment in Kaneohe Bay Hawaii.

In July 2013, Justin LeHew was selected to serve as the Training and Education Command sergeant major located at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, and remained in that position until his retirement from the United States Marine Corps.

In 2010, Justin LeHew was honored by the corps with an obstacle named in his honor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina.

Justin LeHew was inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame on 4 May 2012.