Camp Lejeune Marine Cpl. Jason M. Hassinger "shocked" with Silver Star

Lejeune Marine awarded Silver Star during change of command ceremony
August 24, 2012
AMANDA WILCOX
DAILY NEWS STAFF

Don Bryan/The Daily News

Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan Jr. shakes hands with Cpl. Jason M. Hassinger after presenting citation and Silver Star medal during the 2nd Marine Division change of command ceremony at W.P.T. Hill Field Thursday.

The 2nd Marine Division commander’s last act as leader of the over 24,000 Marines was to award one of them the Silver Star at an elaborate change of command ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune Thursday morning.

At quite possibly the largest ceremony to take place on Lejeune this year, 5,000 of the 24,000 total 2nd Marine Division Marines bid farewell to their commander of two years, Maj. Gen. John Toolan — but not before he had the opportunity to award one of the Marines, Cpl. Jason Hassinger, the Silver Star for his heroic acts in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

During a security patrol in northern Marjah, Afghanistan, Hassinger’s squad became engaged in machine gun fire, and Hassinger took four shots to the chest of his personal protective equipment. Hassinger disregarded his injuries and calmly and fearlessly directed his team to overtake the enemy. He repeatedly refused medical evacuation until he finally collapsed from his wounds, according to the citation signed by the Secretary of the Navy.

“By his decisive actions, bold initiative, and complete dedication to duty, Cpl. Hassinger reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps,” the citation read.

“I’m shocked,” Hassinger told The Daily News after the ceremony. “It’s still sinking in ... I just did what my fallen sergeant, Sgt. Garrison, told me to do.”
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