Mark L. Donald | |
---|---|
Born | 1967 (age 56–57) |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Navy United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1985–2009 |
Rank | Lieutenant |
Unit | United States Navy SEALs |
Wars | Global War on Terrorism |
Awards |
Mark L. Donald (born 1967) is a retired United States Navy SEAL, hospital corpsman, and physician assistant who served in the United States Navy.[1][2] Donald is one of the few American warriors to have earned three high-level combat valor medals for displaying the highest levels of battlefield heroism on more than one occasion. Donald, a recipient of the Navy Cross and Silver Star awards in support of Operation Enduring Freedom during the fall of 2003 and the Bronze Star with V device denoting combat heroism for Operation Iraqi Freedom during the spring of 2003,[1][3][4] is one of the most decorated heroes of the War on Terror.[5]
Donald a 1985 Del Norte High School (New Mexico) graduate,[5] enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age 17.[6] He graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego before completing Amphibious Reconnaissance School, Army Airborne and Navy SCUBA School. Donald was interested in medicine and after learning the Marines did not have medical training, transferred into the Navy to study medicine and become a Navy SEAL corpsman.[1] Donald received orders to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. Donald graduated BUD/S in 1987. Following advanced SEAL Tactical Training (STT) and completion of six month probationary period, he received the NEC 5326 as a Combatant Swimmer (SEAL), entitled to wear the Special Warfare insignia. In 1996 he was selected for the Intra-service Physician Assistant Program. Donald graduated in 1999 from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science and a commission as a Medical Service Corps Officer. He earned a master's degree in physician assistant studies from the University of Nebraska.[3]
In 2003, Donald's convoy came under attack. During the attack, Donald returned fire, attended the wounded, arranged for medical evacuations, and took command of a disorganized Afghan army squad he ordered to break the ambush. He continued to provide emergency medical treatment until medical evacuations were completed.[4][7] Donald was awarded the Navy Cross and Silver Star for his heroic actions in 2003.[3] His military decorations also include the Bronze Star with "V" for combat heroism, the Purple Heart, the Honduran Medal of Merit and various other personal, unit and campaign awards.[8]
Donald wrote about his experience as a combat medic and his struggles with posttraumatic stress disorder in Battle Ready: Memoir of a SEAL Warrior.[9] He is President of JIC Global, a Virginia-based consulting firm specializing in global health, workforce development and cross-cultural outreach strategies.
In 2008, the Navy Times investigated a medical officer who had been secretly awarded a Navy Cross after receiving a redacted version of the award citation. Initially, it was believed to be a case of "stolen valor", but the Navy Times ran the article after a reporter noted that seven service members were cited in Navy records as receiving a Navy Cross but only six were identified.[10] Donald's citation, was not classified; however, his name had been redacted from the Navy Cross as well as the Silver Star he was awarded for each action. In 2008, a spokeswoman for the Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter told the Navy Times that the name had been redacted to protect the individual and their family.[10] Donald agreed to an interview with the Navy Times in 2009 after his name and assignment were leaked. Donald's story is the first known case of "prohibited release" of an award citation.[10]
The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting The Silver Star To
Mark L. Donald
Lieutenant, United States Navy
For Services as Set Forth in the Following Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while assigned to a joint operational unit conducting combat operations against Al Qa'ida and Taliban forces in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. In November 2003, Lieutenant Donald was part of a multiple vehicle mounted patrol caught in an ambush by extremely heavy rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. The vehicle immediately in front of Lieutenant Donald's was disabled by enemy fire, trapping his vehicle in the kill zone. Lieutenant Donald exited his vehicle and immediately provided covering fire for the rest of his team members as they exited the vehicle. He took charge of the Afghan soldiers from two stopped vehicles, organized them while under enemy fire, and directed their effective fire against the ambushers. He coordinated the extraction of the trapped patrol members with the rest of the patrol, and provided covering fire as they trapped Afghan soldiers re-mounted the vehicles. Under extremely heavy enemy machine gun fire, Lieutenant Donald placed himself in the driver's seat of the lead vehicle. Despite a rapidly increasing volume of enemy fire, Lieutenant Donald led the trapped soldiers 300 meters out of the kill zone to a position of cover. He then coordinated covering fire and led a further movement under enemy fire to a position of relative safety. Lieutenant Donald immediately began emergency medical care for a wounded Afghan soldier and arranged prompt medical evacuation. By his heroic display of decisive leadership, unyielding courage in the face of constant enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Lieutenant Donald reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[11]