Laurence Narag Sr.

Last updated
Laurence M. Narag, Sr.
Died(2000-04-03)3 April 2000
Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
AllegianceFlag of the Philippines.svg Philippines
Service/branchFlag of the Philippine Marine Corps.png Philippine Marine Corps
Rank PHIL ARMY CPL WOODLAND.svg Corporal
Service number 788562
Unit61st Marine Company, Force Reconnaissance Battalion,
Seal of the Philippine Marine Corps.svg Philippine Marine Corps
Battles/wars 2000 Philippine campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
Moro conflict
Awards Philippine Medal of Valor ribbon.jpg Medal of Valor

Laurence M. Narag, Sr. was an enlisted Marine of the Philippine Marine Corps and a posthumous recipient of the Philippines' highest military award for courage, the Medal of Valor. [1] Corporal Narag served as a radioman with 61st Marine Company, Force Reconnaissance Battalion during the 2000 Philippine campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. During a military operation in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, Narag conducted reconnaissance on an entrenched MILF position but was detected and drew sniper fire. He was eventually wounded but managed to establish contact with a Philippine Air Force OV-10 Bronco and was able to coordinate close air support. A hospital corpsman, Corporal Ernesto Layaguin attempted to come to his aid but was himself wounded and eventually hit by sniper fire that caused his death. Narag continued firing at the enemy and coordinating air strikes despite his wounds. His commanding officer eventually had to drag him to a medevac vehicle for evacuation. Narag died of wounds later in a hospital. [2]

Contents

Medal of Valor citation

Corporal Laurence M Narag 788562 Philippine Marines

"For acts of conspicuous courage, gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Radioman, Team 1, 61st Marine Company, Force Reconnaissance Battalion, placed OPCON with MBLT-1, 1MBDe during the 10-hour encounter with about 200 fully armed MILF rebels that were encamped at Sitio Illan, Delabayan, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte on 030730H April 2000.

Realizing that the neutralization of the MILF snipers and the other rebels entrenched in fortified bunkers depended upon calls for artillery fire and close air support, Cpl Narag disregarded his own safety and dashed closer, alone, simultaneously delivering effective sniper fires to the enemy, in order to efficiently transmit their positions. At the height of the gun battle, enemy sniper fires where concentrated upon Cpl Narag, wounding him in the body. Cpl Layaguin, a corpsman, attempted to rescue him, but was also unfortunately hit by sniper fire. In an intense display of human drama as witnessed by the troops, the wounded Cpl Narag crept inch by inch to a position where he sought for cover and fiercely retaliated fire upon the enemy. This single act of Cpl Narag relieved the pressure from the rest of his unit whose members were then subjected to an unexpected heavy volume of fire from the enemy. Eventually, the other team members were able to maneuver to vantage positions and through this, still, Cpl Narag held on to the original position he occupied manning the only operational radio left that his platoon had, still continuously firing and inflicting casualties upon the enemy. With an outstanding presence of mind in such a critical situation, he was able to establish radio contact with the OV-10 aircraft and coordinated close air support for his still embattled unit. Evidently, the aircraft delivered a very accurate bombing run against the enemy. Realizing that they were only 19 by then, and without friendly reinforcement, he repeatedly rejected the plea of his other comrades that he be evacuated. With all strength his dying body could ever muster, he gallantly fought back until the Commanding Officer of the unit himself dragged him towards the MEDEVAC vehicle. As he was able to establish contact with the OV-10 despite his mortal wounds, he saved the lives of many other Marines. His supreme sacrifice and gallant stand to fight despite the odds so inspired the other team members that the occupation of MILF Camps Delabayan became inevitable. Based on SIGINT reports, 40 MILF were killed and undetermined number of enemies were wounded as a result of the very accurate OV-10 bombing made possible by the late Cpl Narag.

By this gallantry, Cpl Narag did not only distinguish himself in combat, but acted beyond the call of duty in keeping with finest tradition of Filipino soldiery." [3]

Personal life

Laurence Narag, Sr. is survived by his wife, Leset Narag, and their three children that includes the youngest, Laurence Jr. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kauswagan</span> Municipality in Lanao del Norte, Philippines

Kauswagan, officially the Municipality of Kauswagan, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Lanao del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 24,193 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James L. Day</span> United States Marine Corps general

Major General James Lewis Day was a United States Marine Corps major general who served in World War II, in the Korean War, and in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions as a corporal on May 14 to 17, 1945 during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Reconnaissance Battalion</span> US Marine unit

1st Reconnaissance Battalion is a reconnaissance battalion in the United States Marine Corps. It is a stand-alone battalion with no parent regiment. Instead, it falls directly under the command of the 1st Marine Division. 1st Recon Bn is located at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis J. Hauge Jr.</span>

Corporal Louis James Hauge Jr. was a United States Marine who posthumously received his nation's highest military honor — the Medal of Honor — for his actions during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Stein</span> US Marine and Medal of Honor recipient (1921–1945)

Tony Stein was a United States Marine who posthumously received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in World War II. He received the award for repeatedly making single-handed assaults against the enemy and for aiding wounded Marines during the initial assault on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. He was killed in action ten days later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry L. Maxam</span>

Larry Leonard Maxam was a United States Marine who posthumously received the United States' highest military honor — the Medal of Honor — for heroism in the Vietnam War in February 1968,

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Emmett O'Malley</span> United States Marine non-commissioned officer and Medal of Honor recipient

Robert Emmett O'Malley is a United States Marine veteran who was the first Marine Corps recipient of the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War. He received the medal for his actions as a corporal on August 18, 1965, during Operation Starlite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lester Hammond Jr.</span>

Lester Hammond Jr. was a soldier in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions on August 14, 1952.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin LeHew</span> United States Marine (born 1970)

Justin D. LeHew is a United States Marine who served in the War on Terror. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on 23 and 24 March 2003 during the initial 2003 invasion of Iraq. He was hand picked to spearhead the rescue operation and recovery of the U.S. Army's 507th Maintenance Company on 23 March and subsequently was called upon again to take part in the rescue operation of US Army Private Jessica Lynch on 1 April 2003. He is also a recipient of the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device denoting Valor for his heroic actions from 5 to 28 August 2004 during the Battle of Najaf.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricardo C. Binns</span> United States Marine Corps Navy Cross recipient (1945–2018)

Ricardo Courtney Binns (R.C.Binns) was a corporal in the United States Marine Corps and a recipient of the Navy Cross for actions in the Battle of Hill 488 of the Vietnam War. Later in life he became an author. Using the name he was most commonly known by, R. C. Binns, he wrote "We Are Not Warmongers", and The Price of Glory: "Battle of Hill 488".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Camp Abubakar</span>

The Battle of Camp Abubakar, codenamed Operation Terminal Velocity, was the final phase of the 2000 Philippine campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front which resulted in the capture of Camp Abubakar al Siddique, stronghold of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and its largest settlement, and seat of its Shariah-based government.

Robert Edward M. Lucero was a Philippine Army officer and a posthumous recipient the Philippines' highest military award for courage, the Medal of Valor.

Claudio Forrosuelo was a Philippine Army enlisted trooper and a posthumous recipient of the Philippines' highest military award for courage, the Medal of Valor.

Custodio J. Parcon, Jr. is a retired Philippine Marine Corps general officer and a recipient the Philippines' highest military award for courage, the Medal of Valor. He is the current commander of Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi.

Tomas V. Campo, Jr. was a hospital corpsman of the Philippine Marine Corps and a posthumous recipient of the Philippines' highest military award for courage, the Medal of Valor. Sergeant Campo served with the 20th Marine Company of Marine Battalion Landing Team-10 during the 2000 Philippine campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. In a military operation to capture Camp Bilal, an MILF stronghold in Munai, Lanao del Norte, Campo came to the aid of 10 Marines wounded by hostile fire, pulling them to safety and treating their wounds. As he attempted to rescue an 11th casualty, he was hit by enemy fire and killed in action.

Herminigildo J. Yurong was an enlisted Marine of the Philippine Marine Corps and a posthumous recipient of the Philippines' highest military award for courage, the Medal of Valor. Staff Sergeant Yurong served as a platoon sergeant with Marine Battalion Landing Team-2's Special operations-capable unit during the 2000 Philippine campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. In a military operation in Matanog, Maguindanao, Yurong led his unit against approximately 200 Moro Islamic Liberation Front secessionists. Concluding that the numerically superior enemy would eventually pin down his unit, Yurong assaulted the entrenched MILF positions, emboldening his fellow Marines to follow his lead. As the MILF fighters counter-attacked, an RPG round impacted near his position, killing him.

Ernesto A. Layaguin was an enlisted hospital corpsman of the Philippine Marine Corps and a posthumous recipient of the Philippines' highest military award for courage, the Medal of Valor. Corporal Layaguin served with the 61st Marine Company during the 2000 Philippine campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. During a military operation in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, Layaguin attempted to come to the aid of a fellow Marine Corporal Laurence Narag Sr., who had conducted reconnaissance on an entrenched MILF position but was detected and drew sniper fire. Narag was eventually wounded but managed to establish contact with a Philippine Air Force OV-10 Bronco and was able to coordinate close air support. Layaguin attempted to come to his aid but was himself wounded and eventually hit by sniper fire that caused his death. Narag was eventually evacuated but died of his wounds in a hospital.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard O. Culver Jr.</span> American military officer (1936–2014)

Richard O. "Dick" Culver Jr. was a decorated United States Marine Corps officer who was one of the founders of the Marine Corps Scout Sniper School in Quantico, Virginia. Culver served in combat in Vietnam and was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions during a firefight in 1967.

George Victor Jmaeff was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps corporal. He was one of the few Canadian-Americans to be killed in action during the Vietnam War and was also a recipient of the Navy Cross.

References

  1. ↑ Fonbuena, Carmela (20 December 2017). "FAST FACTS: List of Medal of Valor awardees and their privileges". Rappler. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  2. 1 2 Morelos, Miko (25 October 2011). "A 'Hero' for kids of slain soldiers". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  3. ↑ Philippine Marine Corps. "Medal for Valor: Corporal Laurence M Narag 788562 Philippine Marines". Archived from the original on 12 July 2007. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.