Profiles of Valor: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Cpl. Mark Camp

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Sunday, January 17, 2010

While on patrol to clear insurgent areas near the Syrian border as part of Operation Matador, then-Lance Cpl. Mark Camp, serving with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, stood in the hatch of an amphibious assault vehicle closely surveying his surroundings. Children had been playing in the area, but as the convoy rolled further along, Camp noticed the sudden, strange silence.

A roadside bomb exploded, sending Camp's vehicle into the air. Camp then fought to extinguish the flames on his hands and face, while directing others to open the door of the vehicle in which 17 Marines were trapped. While most of the Marines stumbled out, badly injured, Camp heard the voice of his friend, Pfc. Christopher Dixon, who was still trapped. Camp crawled back into the vehicle, though his right leg was badly injured by shrapnel. Despite his injuries, continued gunfire from the insurgents, and intense heat inside the vehicle that was causing ammunition to cook off, he was determined to save Dixon.

Another explosion sent Camp flying back out of the vehicle; he was on fire again. After beating down the flames, Camp climbed back into the vehicle a second time and realized, as he tried to pull Dixon to safety, that his hands were burned beyond function. "I [was] screaming for someone to help me... someone with fresh hands," Camp later said. Camp and Dixon were finally pulled free, though Dixon was killed by the second detonation.

For exhibiting character typical of a Marine in both his brave rescue actions and for another incident involving an insurgent attack, Cpl. Mark Camp was awarded the Silver Star.

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Bill McNiff

A wonderfully typical American. May he rest in peace in God's arms. Amen.

Posted January 20, 2010 at 1:49:26 PM

Ruth Ann Wilson

To this valiant young man in the United States Marine Corps, May I say to him:

"Uncommon valor is a common virtue"

You "loved your neighbor more than yourself" You are a great credit to your Country.

For God & Country

Ruth Ann Wilson

Posted January 20, 2010 at 2:18:03 PM

James Doran

Young men like this make me proud to be an American.

Posted January 20, 2010 at 3:14:43 PM

Bill Koeppe

Thank you to Dixon and Camp and their families especially to PFC Dixon's family.

We are grateful for PFC Dixon's sacrifice to this great country. Be thou at peace, young man. May God guard, guide, bless, and provide for your family.

Thank you Lance Cpl Camp for your heroism and selfless sacrifice.

I am continually amazed at the caliber of the young men of this great country.

Continue to be swift, violent, and deadly.

Posted February 2, 2010 at 2:26:20 PM

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