Why Did the Marine Fall on the Grenade?

"Why did the Marine fall on the grenade?"

Altruism is defined as a selfless concern for the welfare of others. Altruism can be distinguished from a feeling of loyalty or duty. It focuses on a motivation to help others or to want to do a good deed without a reward, while duty mainly focuses on a moral obligation towards a specific individual, a specific organization, or an abstract concept. People act in an altruistic way because they don't give regard to a reward or the benefits of recognition (Altruism).

On April 14, 2004 Corporal Dunham was leading a Marine patrol near Husayah, Iraq. His team was investigation an attack on a Marine convoy. His patrol intercepted many of the cars that were spotted near the scene of the attack. An individual in one of the cars attacked Dunham, and during the fighting, the individual dropped a hand grenade. Thinking quickly, Dunham, threw himself on the grenade, attempting to use his helmet to shield himself and others from the explosion. He died eight days later at a National Naval Medical Center in Maryland.

Although Corporal Jason Dunham received the Medal of Honor for his actions, when he laid on the grenade, he was most likely not doing it for the reward, but to try to save himself and his fellow officers from the explosion that the grenade would have produced. Although he passed away he is recognized as a national hero and his action was an act of true altruism. He was able to save his friends, and fellow marines. Corporal Jason Dunham's action was beyond his call of duty. He risked his own life for the sake of others, not seeking a reward. He was the first Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War (Jason Dunham).

Works Cited

Jason Dunham. Feb 5, 2007. Wikipedia. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Dunham)

February 21, 2007.

Altruism. Feb 17, 2007. Wikipedia. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altruism)

February 21, 2007.