MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Editor’s note: this is the second installment of a two-part series on heroism.
Cpl. Marc Anthony Madding, formerly a mortarman with Weapons platoon, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device June 3 for “heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy as an Embedded Advisor, Embedded Training Team 5-4, 201st Corps, Afghanistan National Army, on 23 December 2008, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.”
It was a challenging situation.
Madding and fellow Marine, Capt. John Farris, officer in charge, Korengal Outpost, ETT 5-4, were providing security in the northern part of the village Darbart, Korengal Valley, Kunar province, Afghanistan, on Dec. 23, 2008, when the call came.
Three soldiers had received gunshot wounds and required medical assistance. The two men’s eyes met and without a word, they began sprinting toward the casualties. Their combat lifesaver training was about to be put to the test.
Exposing themselves to heavy enemy fire across open terrain, Madding and Farris trudged 500 meters uphill toward the casualties.
After establishing security around the wounded soldiers, Madding assessed their injuries and treated the most serious first. A soldier had received a severe gunshot wound to his back. Madding administered aid, moved on to the next casualties and conducted a call for fire to suppress two enemy fighting positions.
“All I was worried about was making sure those guys were alright,” Madding said. “In the situation, you don’t really think about anything else.”
Madding called for a medical evacuation for the three casualties, each of which required urgent surgical attention. He held security until the MEDEVAC arrived and pulled the soldiers to safety. Upon the successful evacuation, he and Farris re-linked with the patrol and resumed their mission. The event occurred one month and four days into the 10-month deployment.
Returning from the deployment Sept. 4, 2008, Madding took up duties as the Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer (HEAT) and mine resistant ambush protected egress trainer (MET) noncommissioned officer in charge, 3rd Marine Regiment.
“I worked there and at the ISMT [Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer] to pass on to the junior Marines the knowledge I’d attained in the last five and a half years,” Madding said. “By training them, my goal was to help them save their own or somebody else’s life.”
While theory and book knowledge are important, they don’t compare to firsthand knowledge and experience, Madding said. According to his peers, he’s got both.
“Cpl. Madding kept a level head and was technically and tactically proficient at what he did, whether that was calling in a fire mission or directing the ANA [Afghanistan National Army],” said Lance Cpl. Brandon Murray, a training and operations clerk with 3rd Marine Regiment.
Murray spent nearly a year and a half working alongside Madding as a squad leader and platoon sergeant advisor for ETT 5-4 — through the predeployment training and the 10-month deployment. Madding’s leadership, training, previous combat experience in Iraq, and an ability to remain calm under pressure enabled him to perform in the capacity he did, Murray said.
A little over a year after returning from Afghanistan, in December 2009, Madding learned he’d been approved for and would be receiving the Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device. Farris submitted him for the award.
“When I found out I was actually receiving it, the ‘wow’ factor really kicked in,” Madding said. “I knew this kind of award is given out gingerly. It was satisfying what we did wasn’t overlooked.”
At the end of the ETT deployment, Madding received a Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing device for his overall effort during the deployment.
He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device in a ceremony at 3rd Marine Regiment headquarters on Marine Corps Base Hawaii June 3. It was presented by Col. James W. Bierman, regimental commanding officer, and Sgt. Maj. Paul G. McKenna, regimental sergeant major. Both Marines are Bronze Star Medal recipients.
Moving his stare from across the room, Madding said, “I’m very honored. I understand the volume of what I did and appreciate the recognition, but I was just doing my job and what needed to be done.”
Growing up, Madding used to watch World War II movies and said he idolized the military heroes. “To realize I’m right there in history with other Marines and know I was able to contribute to something good is definitely one of the most proud feelings ever,” he said.
Madding’s enlistment extension expires July 23. He plans to attend college heading into the world of business and investing.
Within his intricate tattoos lie the words, “Fortuna Fortes Juvat,” or Latin for “fortune favors the brave.” The motto, which he borrowed from 3rd Marine Regiment, reminds him about his experiences and how fortune isn’t about wealth and power, Madding said.
“When you’re forced to act on a certain level of bravery, you learn to appreciate life a lot more,” Madding explained. “It’s really taught me to pay attention to everything else and not focus on myself.”
The Marine has faithfully served his country and Corps and the ink on his body — whether the elaborate art or the names of his fallen brothers — ensures these memories will never fade away.
Some will label him a hero but Madding is insistent he’s not. “I didn’t do any of these things for the awards,” he said. “It was for the benefit of other people.”