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Here's a great article I found at www.northwestnavigator.com: -- Sailors, Marines, and family members gathered together, March 11, at the Branch Health Clinic, Everett (BHCE) on board Naval Station (NAVSTA) Everett, to honor a fallen shipmate and his family. Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (HM2) (FMF/DV/PJ) Charles Luke Milam, known as Luke to his family and comrades in arms, received the Bronze Star, with a Gold Star in lieu of second award with a combat distinguishing device, for heroic achievement in connection with operations against a Taliban defensive stronghold in Afghanistan Sept. 25, 2007. “HM2 Luke Milan was a Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman, and had been for over 6 years,” said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman (FMF/DV/PJ) Kenneth George, a member of Milam’s Battalion, the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, based out of Camp Le Jeune, N. C. “He came through one of the most demanding pipelines there is for a corpsman, and obviously he was on his 4th combat tour, he had done 3 combat tours in Iraq, this was his first in Afghanistan.” While attacking to clear a Taliban defensive stronghold, Milam’s position came under accurate enemy mortar, rocket-propelled grenade and small-arm fire. He positively identified the enemy compound from which the fire originated and led the assault into the enemy position. He maneuvered into the defended enemy compound and relentlessly pressed the attack, forcing the enemy to flee from their positions. Milam and his team then manned their vehicle and aggressively moved forward to identify remaining enemy positions. At that point his team came under accurate, sustained enemy fire. With a barrage of enemy fire impacting all around him, he continued to expose himself and delivered deadly gun fire, resulting in several enemy casualties. This sacrifice enabled several Marines and U.S. Army Special Forces an opportunity to move from under enemy fire to better positions, but in doing so, he drew heavy fire from remaining enemy forces. He continued to provide suppressive fire until he fell, mortally wounded by a recoilless rifle round. Milam’s mother and father, Ri and Michael Milam, of Lake Forest Park, Wash., were presented with the posthumous award, as well as the Marine Force Reconnaissance Paddle, signifying service within the Reconnaissance community by members of Milam’s Battalion. “Doc Milam was not only a Hospital Corpsman, he was a reconnaissance Marine, he is one of our finest in the history of this organization,” said Lt. Col. Robert L. Tanzolo III, commander, 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion. “Last year he competed against all of the Marines in his command, and he was our operator of the year, this is his second bronze star, this one has a combat distinguishing device, two purple hearts, he was a decorated warrior, a caregiver, and a leader, so this is a lost across the whole Department of Defense.” “Luke definitely had a calling, he knew he wanted to be in the service, he said he knew it from eight (years old), he wore his cammies, and his flight jacket,” said Ri Milam. “He was really into it, he definitely had a calling. He obviously loved what he was doing, he was very dedicated, he loved his guys, and he felt like he had a special mission.” “Anyone that has ever deployed knows that you become family,” said HM2 (FMF) Kevin Garcia, (BHCE). “That is your brother on your side. It’s always a shame to lose somebody. It must be terrible for the family, because all of the awards in the world won’t bring their son back. It’s good that he is being honored, it shows that he is appreciated, and that he didn’t just die for nothing.” “A lot of the Marines around him emulated him, and that’s because he had the best of both worlds,” said Master Sgt. Frank Mercer, Senior Enlisted Adviser, Marines Special Operations Company Golf, 2nd Marines Special Operations Battalion. “He was a role model. Luke was one of my men, but he was also a good friend of mine.” During the ceremony, it was also announced that the Marine Corps authorized the commemorative naming of the Consolidated Aid Station, U.S. Marine Forces Special Operations Command to be built in Camp Le Jeune in 2010. http://www.northwestnavigator.com/index.php/navigator/regionalnews/fallen_bronze_star_recipient_honored_in_everett/