Photo By Sgt. Shannon Yount | Petty Officer 1st Class John A. Gromer, 27, a corpsman with the Commanding General’s...... read more read more
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – In the humble manner so closely associated with his personality, Petty Officer 1st Class John A. Gromer credited Marines on his team for saving his own life and enabling him to do his job.
The sailor from San Diego was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing device by Brig. Gen. Charles L. Hudson, commanding general of 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), during a ceremony here, Feb. 19.
Gromer, 27, a corpsman with the Commanding General’s Personal Security Detachment, Combat Logistics Regiment 15 (Forward), 1st MLG (FWD), was awarded the combat distinguishing device for heroic actions during a mounted combat patrol, Oct. 25, 2010.
During the patrol, a vehicle struck an improvised explosive device, initiating an enemy ambush. As the Marines began receiving enemy small-arms fire from three different directions, Gromer assessed the Marines injured by the IED blast. As he was finishing his assessment and evacuating the injured, Gromer learned of another Marine who had been shot while recovering the damaged vehicle.
Without fully knowing the details of his injuries, Gromer acted on instinct and went to his assistance.
“I hopped in my vehicle and told the driver to head up to the location,” he said. “I had to get to him.”
While moving toward the location of the wounded Marine, Gromer remembers his vehicle being hit by small-arms fire from all directions.
“They knew someone in the vehicle was going to help that Marine,” said Gromer.
Without hesitation, with bullets impacting all around, Gromer jumped out of his vehicle and went to the Marines’ aid. Under constant enemy fire, Gromer stabilized the wounded Marine and then provided suppressive fire on enemy positions until the Marine was medically evacuated from the battlefield.
Gromer said his ability to do his job would not have been possible if it weren’t for the Marines to his left and right who were providing security and suppressive fire while he was attending to the injured Marine. There are four Marines in particular who Gromer believes are responsible for his patient’s survival and his own: Sgt. Eric A. Nelson, Cpl. Jeremy Floyd, Lance Cpl. Martin J. Kim and Cpl. Anthony J. Danish. Kim and Danish provided suppressive fire while Nelson and Floyd carried the wounded Marine to safety.
Gromer enlisted in the Navy in October 2001, serving honorably until October 2008 when he ended his active-duty service. As an inactive reservist, Gromer voluntered to deploy with the PSD team.
“I knew my life would be in danger, but I volunteered for this deployment,” said Gromer, who has been deployed four time, each time by his own request.
“I love the military, and I love deployments,” said Gromer as he expressed his passion for the military and the opportunity to do his job.
Gromer’s focus and dedication to his job have made him an integral part of the PSD team.
“He raises the confidence of the PSD Marines both on a medical stand point and as a warrior,” said Sgt. Maj. Anthony N. Vizcarrondo Jr., sergeant major of 1st MLG (FWD).
HM1 Gromer always carries himself with a sense of pride and always has his game face on, explained Vizcarrondo, 46, from Tingsboro, Mass.
While the basic human instinct would have been to run from danger, Gromer ran toward it to save a life.
“I’m not an observer,” he simply says when asked why he continues to serve with the Marines on the “Greenside”.
“I adhere to the corps values,” said Gromer. “I consider myself a Marine with a medical background.”
| Date Taken: | 02.19.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.22.2011 04:11 |
| Story ID: | 65855 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 783 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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