MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJUENE N.C. -- After providing medical treatment for two Marines who were shot during a firefight in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in 2010, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Jacob Emmott, a corpsman with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, was shot in the head.
Miraculously, Emmott survived the injury and was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions. The award is presented for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States and is the third highest award for valor in the United States armed forces.
“I’m not upset about (the injury) at all,” said Emmott. “We had gotten into a bunch of firefights that day, and it seemed like we were winning. It was honestly a really good day – minus the fact that I got shot in the head.”
On July 14, 2011, Emmott’s family and fellow service members traveled to the Third Annual Naval Safe Harbor Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C., to witness Emmott and other service members receive awards for various work and actions involving the military.
“Jacob loves his Marines,” said Emmott’s mother. “We’re very proud of the service he’s done and continues to make.”
When Emmott rose to make his way to the front stage to receive the award, the audience roared in applause. His fellow sailors, whom he deployed with, could be heard over the crowd yelling for him with pride.
“He’s the guy you can count on, the guy you want on patrol with you,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew S. Drummond, a corpsman with 1/2. “When we first got to our area of operation, we were going on patrols two to three times a day and he was on every patrol. He never complained. He just did it.”
With a broad smile, Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, the vice chief of naval operations, pinned the Silver Star to Emmott’s chest and handed him the award citation.
“You wonder what kind of person is this that we honor that can do this kind of business,” said Greenert. “It takes you back to an author, James Michener, who wrote a famous line about heroes: ‘where do we get such people’?” said Greenert. “We get them from everyday life in this country, and we have a generation who are willing to stand up and say, ‘I’m going to take care of this country.’ It’s very, very encouraging to know we’re going to be in good hands.”