THE MARINE CORPS TIMES

14 July 2006

Marine of the Year: Saved 10 female Marines

By Gina Cavallaro
Staff writer

Staff Sgt. Kent Padmore receives the Marine Corps Times Marine of the Year award from Managing Editor David Brown at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington on July 13. — James J. Lee / Staff


The 2006 Military Times Service Members of the Year were honored July 13 at a reception in Washington.

The sixth annual Capitol Hill event was packed with congressional, military and business leaders, but it was this year’s uniformed honorees who took center stage.

The Marine Corps Times Marine of the Year Staff Sgt. Kent Padmore was there with his son, Kemario, who was celebrating his fifth birthday.

“When I first found out I was selected, I thought, how can I celebrate something that’s a joy and an honor that came out of a tragedy. I thought about family members who are still mourning the loss of their loved ones. In perspective I saw it as something I accomplished based on my family, on my troops and my leadership,” said Padmore, a paramedic and Marine Reservist from Hialieah, Fla., with the 4th Tank Battalion.

He is credited with dragging 10 Marines from the wreckage of a burning seven-ton truck carrying a special detail of female Marines trained to search Iraqi women near Fallujah, Iraq, in June 2005.

The two-vehicle convoy he was assigned to escort on a short drive to Camp Fallujah was attacked by a suicide car bomber. Padmore jumped from his vehicle and dashed across 200 yards of open terrain to reach the wounded. He pulled six to safety then ran back to rescue four more, disregarding his burned hands and arms.

Rep. Gene Taylor of Mississippi hosted the awards ceremony, and Sen. Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii and Sen. John McCain of Arizona served as co-hosts.

“These men and women are only an example of the millions of men and women who have served and are serving today,” said McCain, a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran who survived more than five years as a prisoner of war. “I’m honored when I’m in Iraq. I’m very proud when I have the opportunity to see these men and women with full gear on in 120 degree heat, pursuing their cause in search of freedom.”

The other winners of this year’s contest are Army Master Sgt. Richard Burnette; Navy Cmdr. Louis Tripoli; Air Force Tech. Sgt. Shane Hobrecht; and Coast Guard Yeoman 2nd Class Jeff Jackson.

Good on them!

Does anyone have any other info on this incident? I believe there is more to it than that.

Why dident he get a medal of honor?

Because he didn't act alone in rescuing those women. He just took all the credit. Check the military records.

2006 Marine of the Year

Staff Sgt. Kent Padmore received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V device for his actions. He also received the Purple heart for wounds/burns during this event.

Story on then Sgt Padmore before he received the above

I repeat. He didn't carry the wounded women Marines to safety. He wrapped up his own burns because they weren't serious enough for the medic to do it. The women were in shock. They heard a familiar voice and zeroed in on it. Ask those who were there.

Sgt. Padmore deserves to be commended for his medical assistance after the initial event. But he and God know that two other Marines carried the wounded to safety and one died doing it.

mother of vet...you appear to be saying that he didn't do what was recorded and what he was awarded for. correct?

If so, do you have a different version of the events?

This will be my last post. It was not my intention to argue with anyone. But Marines are supposed to be about honor. The truth will find its way.

Sorry. One more reply to Gunny. It is only now, two years later, that I happened upon these articles and saw that this man took credit for the actions of a fallen Marine. If you are still a Marine, you can read the official reports I am sure. There is more to this story than meets the eye.

Not trying to argue, just trying to understand. I do know that these types of awards go through a very detailed process with collaborating statements from everyone present. The Sgt gave his statement along with the rest of the survivors and those in the area when it occurred. It went before a review board and they singled him out for recognition of his actions.

Just so you know, there is ALWAYS more to the story than is published. He wasn't alone in reacting to the event, and yes the did have others helping with the wounded.

Were you at Fallujah when this happened? I have seen a copy of the official citation issued to one of the two who did the rescuing. The other is dead.

No, I was not there. Multiple citations can occur from a single event though, I have seen that occur more than once.

Well, multiple citations may be issued, but not for the exact same actions. Many people said the same thing. They were not listened to. But Sgt. Padmore knows he isn't the one who raced into the flames and carried those women to safety. He should be commended for giving medical attention to those resuced AFTER they were rescued. But he should tell the truth about the rest. I am signing off now. I just wanted to know if anyone reading this blog had been there. I will keep looking somewhere else till the truth bubbles to the top.

mother of vet. I wish you well in your search for the truth.

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