For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as 3^rd Platoon Commander, Company B, 1^st Battalion, 25^th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5, First Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07.  On the afternoon of 16 August 2006, Captain McKenna was leading his 1^st Squad on a foot patrol in Al Fallujah, Iraq.  As the patrol neared a friendly observation post, it was suddenly ambushed by well-concealed insurgents firing sniper rifles, automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades from buildings, rooftops and cars to the north, south and east.  A Marine at the front of the patrol was fatally wounded by the hail of enemy bullets almost immediately, and fell in the middle of an intersection where the fire was most heavily concentrated.  Captain McKenna instantly rushed into action, directing the fires of his men and ordering them to employ smoke grenades to obscure the enemy’s vision.  Ignoring the imminent peril from the heavy incoming fire, Captain McKenna ran into the intersection in an effort to save his downed Marine.  Completely exposed to the enemy fire, he calmly knelt next to the stricken Marine to assess his condition.  As he began to drag the Marine to a covered position, Captain McKenna was hit by enemy fire and mortally wounded.  Captain McKenna gallantly gave his life in an attempt to save one of his Marines.  His actions inspired his men to drive the enemy from the battlefield, and served as a true example of the selfless bravery to which all Marine leaders aspire.  By his courage, dedication and willingness to sacrifice for his Marines, Captain McKenna reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Text of the Recommendation for the Silver Star

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity of action while under hostile fire during a combat patrol in Al Fallujah, Iraq, Captain John J. McKenna IV is enthusiastically recommended for the Silver Star Medal, to be awarded posthumously.

Captain McKenna volunteered to deploy to Iraq with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, and was activated with the rest of the unit in December 2005.  He was assigned the billet of 3^rd Platoon Commander.  In March of 2005, the battalion deployed to Al Fallujah, Iraq, for counterinsurgency operations with Regimental Combat Team 5, First Marine Expeditionary Force.

On 16 August 2006, 3^rd Platoon was assigned to conduct daytime security patrols in the city of Al Fallujah.  Captain McKenna and his Marines used Observation Post Fenton, which overlooks Route Fran in the heart of Fallujah, as a patrol base to accomplish this tasking.  Throughout that day, he and his men conducted multiple short security patrols, both mounted and dismounted, in the Bravo Company Area of Operations.

At approximately 1800, the Marines at Observation Post Fenton began to hear the sounds of an ongoing firefight to the south, in the city’s industrial district.  Not being able to see the participants, and unsure of exactly what was happening, Captain McKenna requested permission to conduct a short foot patrol to the east of the observation post in order to gain situational awareness.  His request was granted by the company commander.  In order to accomplish the mission, Captain McKenna posted his 2nd squad on the rooftop of a nearby residence overlooking the entrance to the observation post.  His 3^rd squad remained at OP Fenton with the platoon’s gun trucks to serve as a mounted quick reaction force.  Captain McKenna then led his 1st squad on a short foot patrol, heading east toward Janabi Hospital and then returning to the observation post.

Just before 1900, Captain McKenna and the eight Marines of 1^st squad were returning from the foot patrol.  As they crossed an open intersection to gain entry to the observation post, the patrol suddenly came under heavy fire from well-concealed insurgents approximately 200 meters to the north.  From after-action reports and witness statements, it is believed that the patrol was engaged by enemy snipers, whose actions were covered by a team of other insurgents firing AK-47s and other automatic weapons.  The insurgents used nearby buildings, rooftops, and cars to fire on the Marines, making it almost impossible to see from where their fire was originating.  This is a common enemy tactic in Fallujah that was used to deadly effect in this incident.

The point man of the patrol, Lance Corporal Michael D. Glover, was immediately and fatally struck in the head by well-aimed enemy fire.  He fell dead in the middle of the intersection where the fire was most heavily concentrated.  Captain McKenna instantly sprang into action, rushing to the corner and directing the suppressive fires of his Marines.  He also ordered them to employ smoke grenades in an attempt to obscure the enemy’s vision of the kill zone and the wounded Marine.  Despite these efforts, the enemy fire intensified.  Insurgents in the industrial sector to the south began to engage the Marines with automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades, as did enemy fighters to the east.  With heavy fire now coming from three directions, every Marine in the area was engaged in a desperate attempt to gain fire superiority over the enemy.  The Marines in overwatch and at the observation post engaged insurgents to the south with machine guns, rifle fire and 40mm grenades, as the Marines of the quick reaction squad started to maneuver their vehicles into position to support.  Meanwhile, the Marines of 1^st Squad and Captain McKenna were trapped in the midst of the enemy kill zone.

With the intersection still under relentless enemy fire, Captain McKenna decided he could wait no longer to go to the aid of Lance Corporal Glover.  Ignoring the imminent risk to his own life, Captain McKenna dashed into the middle of the intersection to reach Lance Corporal Glover’s side.  Completely exposed to the vicious enemy fire, Captain McKenna knelt to assess Lance Corporal Glover’s condition, then started to drag the Marine to the relative safety of a more covered position.  As he turned to shout further orders to the men of 1^st Squad, Captain McKenna was struck in the head by an enemy bullet and mortally wounded.

Captain McKenna’s courageous and completely selfless actions were an inspiration to his men, who after 20 minutes of intense fighting were able to force the enemy to flee the battlefield.  His bravery and willingness to sacrifice his own life for the sake of one of his Marines were the epitome of the virtues to which all Marine leaders aspire.  He gallantly gave his life to try and rescue one of his men, and is strongly deserving of being posthumously recognized with the Silver Star Medal.