The Gift of Valor: A War Story

by Michael M. Phillips

Every day ordinary young Americans are fighting in Iraq with the same bravery, honor, and sense of duty that have distinguished American troops throughout history. One of these is Jason Dunham, a twenty-two-year-old Marine corporal from the one-stoplight town of Scio, New York, whose stunning story reporter Michael M. Phillips discovered while he was embedded with a Marine infantry battalion in the Iraqi desert. Corporal Dunham was on patrol near the Syrian border, on April 14, 2004, when a black-clad Iraqi leaped out of a car and grabbed him around his neck. Fighting hand-to-hand in the dirt, Dunham saw his attacker drop a grenade and made the instantaneous decision to place his own helmet over the explosive in the hope of containing the blast and protecting his men. When the smoke cleared, Dunham’s helmet was in shreds, and the corporal lay face down in his own blood. The Marines beside him were seriously wounded. Dunham was subsequently nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for military valor.

Phillips’s minute-by-minute chronicle of the chaotic fighting that raged throughout the area and culminated in Dunham’s injury provides a grunt’s-eye view of war as it’s being fought today—fear, confusion, bravery, and suffering set against a brotherhood forged in combat. His account of Dunham’s eight-day journey home and of his parents’ heartrending reunion with their son powerfully illustrates the cold brutality of war and the fragile humanity of those who fight it. Dunham leaves an indelible mark upon all who know his story, from the doctors and nurses who treat him, to the readers of the original Wall Street Journal article that told of his singular act of valor.

Genres: Military Fiction, History, War, Nonfiction, Biography, Military History, Middle East

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

MICHAEL M. PHILLIPS, a staff reporter for the Wall Street Journal, has done four tours in Iraq with the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you don't cry, you have no soul.
Just a typical all-american kid who sacrificed
for us.

[Chris Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bring tissues. This book tells the story of a young man who wants to become a Marine, like many young men throughout the generations he signs up and serves, but this is where it becomes a personal story of a young NCO who in an act of self less sacrifice we learn not only about his struggle to survive, but the true challenges of combat.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

On Thursday morning of this week (2/23), I was overcome by the need to finish all of the books I started at various points last year. Maybe it's because Howard is home from Iraq and coming to live with me in Rochester soon. Maybe I want to truly, tangibly close the chapter of my life that was 2005. Maybe I want to feel like I actually accomplished something in my time alone. This was the book for whatever my reason(s).

I started reading in July, when the Webster store was just preparing to open. I bought the book at Palisades, because my cousin Tommy had talked about it on Fathers' Day, and I did not want to wait. Howard came home on leave, then left again: I was too depressed to focus on any book. I wanted to finish before leaving for the Bahamas in August, but I couldn't. I didn't bring it with me. I read four other books before realizing I had put it off for so long. Still, I did not want to be so depressed again, and I waited.

The book itself is not the most literary. It is clearly written by a journalist, because it is an extended newspaper article. There are places with too much history, moments of confusing sequences, and sometimes simply too much information all at once. However, it is terribly important, and I have been recommending it at work (Barnes & Noble) for over six months now. I will continue to do so. I have pre-ordered the paperback, and I plan to read it again when it arrives in May.

This time, I will remember to keep the tissues handy.

Four stars, highly recommended.

~~copied from my Book Lust Journal, Feb. '06~~

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gift of Valor differs from many of the soldier storys I've read in the past. It doesn't focus on intense training and backstory to set the mood. It starts with a simple conversation and weaves into a larger history of lives changed through war.
While the focus of the story is Corporal Jason Dunham, it expands to embrace many people. As the story progressed I thought that the inclusion of so many people was a mistake. The names and short backstories became confusing. Then as story draws to a conclusion, it became clear that the valor, duty, sacrifice and love of Jason is shared by so many and excluding them would mean telling less than the full story. I had never imagined the scope of saving wounded people (friend, foe and non-combatant alike) in a war zone was so large.
The book has moment of laughter, action, amazement and saddness. There are some events regarding Jason's parents that improved my outlook on human relationships and compassion.
At around 250 pages it is a great read that will not take too much time. It does include some crude language from soldiers at war so it's not for everyone. I am glad I read it.

[Rachel Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gift of Valor: A War Story by Michael M. Phillips is an intensely moving and somber account of heroism, sacrifice, and the profound human cost of war. This book is not an easy read—it is graphic and devastating, laying bare the harsh realities faced by those who serve in the military and their families. Yet, it is absolutely essential for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by these brave men and women.

Phillips masterfully brings the story to life, portraying soldiers in a way that feels heartbreakingly familiar—they could be people we once knew in school, saw in our neighborhoods, or shared moments with in our lives. Their struggles and sacrifices are brought to vivid realism, forcing the reader to confront not only the physical and emotional toll of war but also the humanity behind the uniforms.

This is a book that will touch the heart of anyone who reads it. It evokes tears and reflection, leaving an indelible impression long after the final page. Through its unflinching honesty and brilliant storytelling, The Gift of Valor serves as both a tribute to those who serve and a powerful reminder of the cost of freedom.

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The marines' stories detailed in this book are unbelievably sacrificial. Paying the ultimate price is not something the typical American thinks about in today's society. Yet in 2004 Iraq, this price was on the mind of every single Marine in Kilo Company. This book is a heartbreaking yet motivating documentation of real men giving everything for each other in the field & for their country's freedoms. Freedom is indeed bought with the price of blood. What an honor it is to know & read their stories — especially Dunham's detailed in this book. Semper fidelis.

[Morgan Bentley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing not only because of how amazing of a writer Michael Phillips is, but also because it captures my cousin, Jason, for who he was. Jason passed before I was born, but every story I have ever heard about him has him pictured as the nicest, funniest person ever. Jason was born to my mom’s brother, Dan, and his wife, Deb, later adopted him and cared for him since he was a very small child. What happened to Jason was very devastating for my family, but he was a hero to so many people, including his men. Jason was the kind of guy who would pick you up and support you no matter what. This book is an amazing read and the ending made me sob like a baby. I wish I could have met the beautiful soul that was Jason L. Dunham.

[Alma Vasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not going to go into the details about what the book is about. Read the description and READ.

This story is gripping, sad, heartbreaking and TRUE. I served in the US Navy for 10 years, and my last 18 months in, I was stationed on board the USS Jason Dunham - the warship that was named after him.

I promise you - his legacy lives on.

[Alex Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the age of 22…“Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines,” (Medal of Honor citation).

[Daryll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a war story. There are many like them, but this one is about private Dunham. You can tell by the memorial cover that it is a sad story, sad because you know he does not make it out alive. The book is terse and poignant, and I would argue worth a read. Get ready to cry.

[Steven Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent look at who and what makes up the Rough American Youth that put themselves In Harm's Way to visit violence on those that would do us grevious harm.
I cried while at Taco Cabana today...
Thank God that such men have lived...

[Megan Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read and highly recommend reading it. It goes into unexpected details from the medical journey from Iraq to America. Puts some focus on the bonds of being a Marine and the brotherhood that intails.

[Angela Abrego · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story written using wonderful technical language and very well explained. The writer takes you through Corporal Dunham’s life and the ultimate sacrifice and how he was a wonderful Marine. May he see God’s face and rest eternally in Heaven until he meets his family again.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was recommended by a colleague- it’s not my typical kind of book to read but it was a riveting story of an American soldier in Iraq.

[Dave Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. Would definitely recommend this to anyone with an interest in personal war stories

[Adam Wilburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story of an American and Marine Corps hero. Semper Fidelis.

[Colson Files · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written story about extraordinary sacrifice.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is deceiving in that it’s small and short but it packed with so much and actually took me awhile to read. I cried the whole last chapter.

[Ricardo Fernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story that wasn't told well. The book had too much minutia.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

We hear a lot about war on the news or on tv, but we don’t see the whole story. What we see on the news is the political side of the war, or the tallies of deaths. This book tells you the whole story, and brings you into the war as a marine fighting for his country and his comrades.
Michael Phillips, an author that himself has served four tours in Iraq, wrote this book about Jason Duhnum, and what he went though to receive the Medal of Honor. He is a reporter for the Wall Street Journal.
Jason Duhnum is a young 21 year old marine who, many of his comrades think is trustworthy, and loyal. Jason was born into a marine family, and at the age of 19 joined the marines. Jason is not a die hard marine. Although he does not like what he is doing, he is very loyal and would do anything to get his men home.
The main conflict in the story is when Jason’s squad is ambushed, and an enemy combatant drops an grenade, and Jason has to make the choice whether to fall on the grenade and save his team, or to jump out of the way and save himself.
The story was very gruesome and very well written. The author used very descriptive words and very vivid sentences. Michael Phillips made the reader feel the emotions of the characters.
The author does a good job of portraying the main character Corp. Jason Duhnum. Michael Phillips used his skills from being a reporter, like interviewing to create this character. He used what he found from interviews and partially his imagination to make the reader feel like they knew Jason Duhnum.
Although the author does a great job of portraying Jason he does not do a good enough job explaining the rest of the characters. Also he created so many other characters that it took away from the actual story and made some parts when the story jumped to different people very confusing.
The main audiences are people who are interested in the military aspect of the book or like books with a lot of action. It was not to technical so a person who did not know much about the military would not have a very hard time reading the book. However this is a very emotional book and it might be too emotional for some people.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story itself of United States Marine Corporal Jason Dunham is heroic and tragic. It seemed possible that after testing his theory to see if a helmet could blunt the damage of a grenade thrown by an Iraqi insurgent on April 14, 2004, that Dunham might survive the ordeal. Instead he died and was awarded the highest military distinction, The Medal of Honor. For the chance to know what this soldier did on behalf of our country, I am grateful.

The reason for the two stars is that the author, Michael Phillips, and I don't agree on how to write an engaging story. The first 100 or so pages, in particular, were disjointed and filled with a ping-pong of characters' stories and sometimes tenuous connections to Dunham. To me, it appeared that just as we'd get to know one person in Jason's life, that there were 8 more waiting in line for their paragraph or two of an introduction.

Once the bomb exploded the story was fairly chronological and seemed a bit easier to keep track of who was who. However did details like "Miller splurged on Nike gear-- shorts, warm-ups, cross-trainers" (pg. 192) add to the story? No, we already knew that many of injured soldiers at the military hospital in Germany arrived with little to no clothing, so they were given a $250 stipend to spend at the commissary. Some details like what sort of Nike gear some other solider purchased only served to water down the important information more pertinent to narrative.

I appreciate that such an outstanding soldier's story is being shared with so many people and I am glad to have read it. This book, however, did not endear me to the author's writing style. Oh well.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was a very good book. It gave me some insight on what our young men went through and are still going through fighting in the Middle East.

I take this one very personal. I work with a Wounded Warrior, Jesse. He was in Kilo Company at the same time as this story, but in a different platoon than Jason Dunham. This book helps me understand what Jesse went through. Jesse knew most of the Marines mentioned in this book and was in some of the firefights Phillips wrote about. Jesse tells me that this story is well written in that the facts are true. Jesse also knows Jason's parents and says that they are really good people.

The story is about a Marine, CPL Dunham, who earned a Medal of Honor for his actions saving his men during an ambush in Iraq. What got to me was that his Kilo platoon really didn't have to go into the firefight as the ambush was basically over. The story follows Jason as a young man and his childhood, becoming a Marine, his time in Iraq, then follows him and some of his wounded men through the line of hospitals as he fights for his life.

This is a real War Story. It is about Honor and Duty. It's about what we ask our young men to go through to preserve our way of life and try to help other people be free.

I am honored to know and work with such a fine young man and proud of him and his fellow Marines.

Great read. Highly recommend this book to everyone to gain an understanding of what it takes to be a US Marine...

[Mike Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Gift of Valor" tells the true story of US Marine Corporal Jason Dunham who was mortally wounded in Iraq after trying to muffle a grenade explosion with his helmet. Author Michael Phillips has chosen to focus almost exclusively on Jason himself. There are no political aspects to this story and Phillips never passes judgement on the validity of the war itself. It's simply a very straightforward retelling of what happened to Dunham.

The writing style is very much like a newspaper article because Phillips is a writer for the Wall Street Journal. In fact, the newspaper published a series of stories about Corporal Dunham that have basically been expanded to fill this book. That may sound like a criticism but I never felt at any point that Phillips was trying to fill space. In fact, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the ongoing war in Iraq. In my opinion, we here at home [knew] precious little about what actually [went] on over there on a daily basis.

[Wendy Clow · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gift of Valor is one of the best books I have ever read. I reserve that phrase for very few books, and this one deserves it.

Thank God for Michael Phillips for recording stories like this in print. The dedication to integrity evident in his writing results in attention to detail like most of us will never give. Without it, stories like this one of a true hero would fade over time.

I believe most of us in America have no idea of the extent of our military brothers' and sisters' sacrifice while we're going on with our day to day lives. War is going on in real life, right now, happening to real people who are brothers, sisters, mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, and friends. Today's Americans. Thankfully, some of their stories are being captured in print. Take the time to get to know them.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, heart wrenching and a must read for anyone who doubts the courage and self-sacrifice of our servicemen and women. Corporal Dunham's courage and concern for his men is amazing and I appreciate the sacrifice he made in the split second for his men and I thank him for his courage to protect our country. He received, and without a doubt, earned the Medal of Honor.

The author, Michael M. Phillips, does a phenomenal job in writing this story.

[Leticia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a book. It's basically about the events in Iraq that led to the injury and eventual death of Marine Corp. Jason Dunham, who sacrificed himself to save his fellow marines. It shows the behind the scenes and cameras of what the military experiences throughout the Iraq War. There is foul language, and graphic descriptions throughout the book. You just leave feeling disbelief and sadness thinking how many other stories out there that reflect the total loss and suffering from the war.

[Wes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good journalism but this book went way too in depth from what I was hoping it would be when I heard about it. I was expecting this to be a quick read with a small intro to his life, focus on the event, and a few small details of the aftermath. I don't mean to give the book a bad name (and definitely given the subject matter my meaningless words couldn't even begin to do that) but it felt like it drug on to me because I wasn't into it 100%. I wasn't wanting to get as much info as was given.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional and heartbreaking story of an amazing U.S. Marine and his ultimate sacrifice to save his brothers. On the streets of Husaybah, Jason Dunham warned his squad and jumped on an enemy grenade, taking the blast and laying down his life for his friends.

This book tells you more than this story- the author tells you about Dunham's life, his actions, and much more of his incredible story. This story should be heard by every American.

[Jenna Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary book about an extraordinary man, U.S. Marine Corporal Jason Dunham, and the sacrifice he made to save the lives of his fellow Marines. As someone who has never read a book on this topic, it definitely gave me some insight on what our young men and women are going through fighting in the Middle East. Would definitely recommend this for anybody who wants a realistic account of what life is like for our soldiers overseas. This one will stay with me for a while.

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Jason Dunham. Another must read for anyone with a loved one in the Military. This is the first book that I have ever read, that I had to take time off, because of the sheer amount of sobbing that this Military Mom did. It will take time, but it shows the immense sacrifice our kids' are making in these wars.