“To enlighten and evolve through the art of Kenpo”
| Volume 10 |
January - May 2005 |
Issue 1 |
From The President...
Scott Montoya Receives the Navy Cross
Scott Montoya Receives the Navy Cross
by Michael Mandaville
For extraordinary heroism, Sgt Scott C. Montoya received the Navy Cross. Mr. Montoya is a 5th degree black belt under Mr. Paul Dye and has attended numerous Kenpo camps and tournaments. At the presentation ceremony, Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona said that deputy sheriff Montoya “is a complete warrior. Whether as a Marine or as a law enforcement figure, he is always putting the community or the county above his own personal safety.”
Authorized on February 4, 1919, the Navy Cross in 1942 became a Combat Only decoration, making it the Navy’s 2nd highest award ranking below the Congressional Medal of Honor (CMH). In most instances, the CMH is awarded posthumously. Of the 6,906 Navy Crosses issued, only seventeen have been awarded since the Vietnam War. Eight citations for the Navy Cross have been awarded in the War on Terror.
Mr. Montoya was serving as a Scout Sniper, Scout Sniper Platoon, 2d Battalion, 23d Marines, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on 8 April 2003.
During the Battle for Baghdad, Sergeant Montoya’s sniper team came under small arms fire from an enemy force when it arrived within Company F’s position. After killing a terrorist with a single rifle shot, he directed his unit to deploy and return fire, noticing a civilian vehicle on the road.
With complete disregard for his own life, he rushed forward amidst a hail of gunfire and dragged a wounded Iraqi civilian to safety. Spotting a wounded Marine on the same fire swept roadway, he risked his life to lead the Marine to safety. He spotted a second wounded Marine. Again ignoring the hailstorm of bullets, he rushed into the street and carried the Marine to safety. He went back, once again, to rescue an unconscious Marine and bring him to safety. Returning to the front, he dashed into the street, under heavy fire and helped a Marine dazed by a grenade blast. He made sure that the Marines were receiving medical attention and were properly evacuated.
When Paul Dye asked Scott Montoya how many bullets went by him when he rescued the Marines, he answered, “About three hundred.” Mr. Montoya recalled bullet hits inches from his head, kicking up dirt less than a foot away on the ground.
With his outstanding display of leadership, exceptional courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and devotion to duty, Sergeant Montoya reflected credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
In teaching the children’s classes, I endeavor to teach them about character. The value of truth and courage, respect and duty. The Creed exemplifies this code with its clearly stated devotion to “principles” and “honor”. I have strong reasons for teaching character to combat moral relativism and pop culture disdain for right and wrong. They are my children, Julia and Johnny. When I first heard about Mr. Montoya’s Navy Cross, I was showing my children a movie, “Ike – Countdown to D-Day”. I like to watch these movies with them so that they understand both the history of American sacrifice for freedom and the current heroes in our armed forces fighting the tyranny of terrorists. Tom Selleck portrayed the anguish of General Eisenhower leading a coalition to stop the dark tyranny of despotism through the noble sacrifice of soldiers under his command. He knew what he was asking them to do. And they knew what was asked of them.
After the movie, I spoke to my children of a general and a soldier. The general was Dwight Eisenhower. The soldier was Scott Montoya.
“Service before self is something I teach in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program,” said Montoya. “I feel the award represents the character of the Corps.”
And, I tell my children, the character of Kenpo, America and Freedom.