War Heroes XIII - Scott C. Montoya

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Navy Cross
To

Scott C. Montoya
United States Marine Corps

For Services as Set Forth in the Following Citation:

For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Scout Sniper, Scout Sniper Platoon, 2d Battalion, 23d Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on 8 April 2003. During the battle for Baghdad, Sergeant Montoya’s sniper team arrived within Company F’s position as they came under heavy small arms fire from a determined enemy force. He immediately encouraged Marines to deploy and return fire.

Noticing a disabled civilian vehicle on the road in the line of fire and with complete disregard for his own life, he rushed forward amidst a hail of gunfire and dragged a wounded Iraqi civilian to safety. Returning to the front, he spotted a wounded Marine struggling to get off the same fire swept street, he risked his life to lead the Marine to safety. Returning to the front, he spotted a wounded Marine lying in the street. Ignoring the hailstorm of bullets, Sergeant Montoya rushed into the street for a third time to carry the injured Marine to safety. Sergeant Montoya returned a fourth time to evacuate an unconscious Marine.

Returning to the front again, he dashed into the contested street and assisted a Marine to safety who had been dazed by an explosion. Sergeant Montoya ensured medical attention was administered and verified that evacuations were ongoing. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Sergeant Montoya reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Sgt. Montoya rushed into the line of fire not once, but five times to rescue others who were wounded and incapacitated. And this heroism was demonstrated by a man who was and remains a Marine reservist.

Scott Montoya’s deployment is over, and he has returned to his full time job as a sheriff’s deputy in Orange County, California. I’m sure his department is as happy to have him back as his family is.

Previous War Heroes Threads - Brian Chontosh
Jason Dean Cunningham
Britt Slabinski
Justin D. Lehew
Mark E. Mitchell
John Chapman
Joseph B. Perez
Marco A. Martinez
Stephen Bass
Luis E. Fonseca Jr.
Rafael Peralta
Paul R. Smith - Medal of Honor

2

Just a quick bump to encourage better publicity of Sgt. Montoya’s story.

3

Thank you for doing this, Mr. Moto. I appreciate reading these. I also feel a mixture of pity and amusement towards those who you make uncomfortable with these threads.

4

Those folks are a tiny minority, and I’m certainly not doing this for their benefit.

5

I am amazed by the heroism that Montoya exhibited for the Navy Cross, and the narrative of his actions is incredible.

That being said, I’m particularly looking forward to reading the citation for the MOH for Sergeant Paul Smith when it comes out. I can only say that I don’t think that the news article about Smith could possibly have done justice to his gallantry.

6

Didn’t Bush Sr. win the Navy Cross?

Regards,
Shodan

7

His highest award was the Distinguished Flying Cross. It’s eighth in precedence, ranking behind the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, and Silver Star for heroic action and some high ranking meritorious service medals.

8

I wonder if his friends call him “Inigo”.