Project Hero: CPT Joshua Glover, Silver Star Posted by: McQ
on Saturday, July 28, 2007
Leadership. An intangible quality which is innate in some and must be taught and nurtured in others. But in combat, there is no substitute for good leadership. And the Marine Corps is among the best organizations in the world for preparing leaders to face the rigors, risks and demands of infantry combat.
Today we honor a true leader, CPT Joshua L. Glover who was awarded the Silver Star while serving as 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander with Weapons Company and Quick Reaction Force Platoon Commander, 1st Marine Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on April 13, 2004 in Al Fallujah.
When asked about the award, Glover humbly diverts attention away from himself.
"I received this award because of something we did as a platoon, and I am really proud of what we accomplished that day," he said.
Occurring during the second of his three deployments to Iraq, Glover led and directed his platoon through enemy lines to recover classified material from a downed CH-53 helicopter. The platoon was attacked by Iraqi forces employing machinegun, small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Glover skillfully maneuvered his force and assaulted through the ambush to friendly lines, inflicting numerous enemy casualties.
After successfully completing the mission, Glover was ordered that same evening to recover a destroyed Assault Amphibious Vehicle and assist in the rescue of a besieged rifle platoon deep behind enemy lines. Glover and his Marines found themselves up against a company-sized Iraqi force along the enemy's main line of resistance where as stated in Glover’s Silver Star citation, "...he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire as he engaged enemy targets at point-blank range while directing the rifle platoon's relief and coordinating recovery operations."
Glover attributes the battle as a success because of the hard work of the Marines in his charge, and his common sense approach to leadership.
"When you train Marines you have to get them to focus on the basics. In a chaotic situation such as combat, the basics will get them through," said Glover.
According to Glover, it's more than just training that makes a platoon of Marines successful in combat. Strong leadership in your Non-Commissioned Officers is vital. In order to be successful, with the dispersion between elements in today's combat environments, your NCOs have to be equipped and empowered to make decisions, he said.
And through something very challenging, Glover has earned a new outlook on his life.
"I have learned to appreciate what we have here in the U.S., both the general safety we enjoy and the quality of our lives," said Glover.
And while the battle for which Glover was awarded was a success, he feels the enormity of the price that was paid.
"I lost a Marine that day, as did another unit in the battalion. We can not separate [the victory from the loss], and I think we need to do our best to make them and their families proud," he said.
These are the type men and women we have serving in our military and as a country we should be proud to have them representing us. CPT Glover is another in a long and growing line of true American heroes.
PROJECT HERO is an ongoing attempt to highlight the valor of our military as they fight in both Iraq and Afghanistan. We constantly hear the negative and far to little of the positive and inspiring stories coming out of those countries. This is one small attempt to rectify that. If you know of a story of valor you'd like to see highlighted here (published on Saturday), please contact us. And we'd appreciate your link so we can spread the word.
