Is this a matter of coincidence or divine intervention?

2015-10-15T08:41:19-04:00

http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/marine-gets-upgrade-to-navy-cross-46-years-later-1.373318

Marine gets upgrade to Navy Cross 46 years later

First, an ancient tape surfaced, then a letter that had been locked away for 40 years. Finally the full picture of Marine Sgt. Kenneth Altazan's bravery on a harrowing day in Vietnam began to emerge.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Oct 15 at 2015 8:54 AM

2015-10-15T08:54:26-04:00

Great Story! If you believe in Christ, as I do, you would say that there was someone there with him on that battlefield protecting him and making sure that he completed his mission of removing those wounded Marines from the battlefield.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2015 9:39 AM

2015-10-15T09:39:10-04:00

Awesome story. Semper Fidelis.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2015 10:37 AM

2015-10-15T10:37:37-04:00

I'll just say, WOW! I'm glad something like this surfaced...

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Oct 15 at 2015 11:16 AM

2015-10-15T11:16:04-04:00

Outstanding story. Semper Fi.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 15 at 2015 12:07 PM

2015-10-15T12:07:28-04:00

Stuff of legends.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 15 at 2015 2:01 PM

2015-10-15T14:01:00-04:00

Good fortune, Karma, the Grace of God, take your pick. It's always good to see things turn out right once in a while...

Response by Sgt Cody Dumont made Oct 15 at 2015 4:19 PM

2015-10-15T16:19:27-04:00

I not sure, but I will ask got when I report for guard duty;). Semper FI.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 15 at 2015 5:49 PM

2015-10-15T17:49:02-04:00

This is a tremendous story of guts and compassion. Sometimes it is not known that an individual will perform immortal acts in the future. It is a matter of situation and timing and a hero!

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 16 at 2015 2:09 PM

2015-10-16T14:09:49-04:00

Random occurrence. Fortuitous, but still a random occurrence.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Oct 26 at 2015 5:27 PM

2015-10-26T17:27:23-04:00

Don't believe it is either as much as it is some fellow Marines who were familiar with the circumstances wanting to right a wrong. The article cites a squadron mate discovering a tape and a letter held by other Marines at a reunion. That individual who discovered the existence of the letter and tape had the initiative to make them available to the Awards section and other appropriate personnel at HQMC. The file would have been reopened because of the additional information and considered by a board at HQMC in light of the new evidence. Sometimes we personify a command or headquarters and think of it as more than a group of men and women who are responsible for the administration of the Corps. A command has no initiative but the people who make up that command can be influenced to research a situation or circumstance and make what is right happen.
Why the award was downgraded at the time could be attributable to many things. Available information, the recommendations of the people who reviewed the recommendation as it made its way up the chain of command or administrative considerations. I had a Navy Cross downgraded because the people at PAC felt too many Navy Crosses had been awarded that month. Justified, maybe not, maybe so, but such was life at the time.