His rifle struck and inoperable, he continued to fight the enemy with his Ka-Bar Knife
“Either you adapt or you die. You don’t think, you just react. Your training kicks in, and your mind goes blank, and you act. You are not going to let your brothers die.
“We were just getting ready for the night, ready to eat the C-rations. We had no cover whatsoever. Most of the platoon were dead or wounded. I did what I could to help save lives.”
His rifle was struck at the receiver, slamming it back into his face, breaking his nose. His rifle was inoperable. His platoon had been called in the open and cut to pieces. He used the dark and the only weapon he had left, a Ka-bar knife. He was about to start crawling out of the ambush site when he heard the screams of Lance Cpl Fobbs. He could have crept off in the darkness, but chose to remain on the battlefield and continue the fight with only his knife. Then he chose to sneak in enemy territory to rescue a fellow Marine.
5 April, 1967, Lance Corporal James Stogner’s fearless courage would earn him the Navy Cross.
5 April, 2019 Lance Cpl. James Stogner received the Navy Cross for his actions on this day 52 yea… After a round ricocheted off his rifle, Stogner continued to fight the enemy with his Ka-Bar and saved his fellow Marine.
After a round ricocheted off his rifle, Stogner continued to fight the enemy with his Ka-Bar and saved his fellow Marine.
His story is told as he receives the Navy Cross: