Marine Corps 2011 Firefighter of the Year

Area Marine is Firefighter of Year
Wendy Burton
Muskogee Phoenix, Okla.
May 3, 2012

The first in many ways to achieve the honor -- Lance Cpl. Daniel Dawson of Checotah is the Marine Corps 2011 Firefighter of the Year.

Dawson, who is stationed at Cherry Point, N.C., has been in the service for two-and-a-half years and has already set a record or two with the Marines.

No one ranked as a lance corporal or lower has ever achieved the honor, Dawson said. He is also the first person in his unit to win the award.

At 21 years old, he could be the youngest, too.

And though he's the first firefighter in his family, it's a passion for him. Dawson is the son of Leslie Putman of Checotah and Steve Dawson of Fort Smith.
read more here