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First Name: David

Last Name: Wimberg

Birthplace: Louisville, KY,

Gender: Male

Branch: Marines (present)



Middle Name: Neil



Date of Birth: 24 January 1981

Date of Death: 25 May 2005

Rank: Sergeant

Years Served:
David Neil Wimberg

   
Engagements:
•  Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom) (2003 - 2011)

Biography:

David Neil Wimberg
Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps

On 25 May 2005, then-Sergeant David Neil Wimberg was serving as Squad Leader, Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2, Second Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom during Operation New Market.

On that day, while on patrol in the city of Hadithah in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, an enemy ambush pinned down Sgt Wimberg and his Company's Command Element in the street. In an attempt to eliminate the source of the ambush, Sgt Wimberg left his covered position, maneuvered through intense small arms fire, and scaled a wall in order to gain access to the courtyard where the source of fire was originating. Although twice driven back by high volumes of enemy fire, on his 3rd attempt, Sgt Wimberg opened the gate and allowed his squad to enter. Sgt Wimberg then provided suppressive fire into insurgent positions in an adjacent house until his fire team was in position. After 2 failed attempts to breach the front door, and ignoring his own safety, Sgt Wimberg kicked in the door and gained entry to the house. Finding himself face to face with 4 insurgents armed with AK-47 rifles, Sgt Wimberg engaged the enemy at close quarters, firing his M-16A4 rifle until he was shot and fell to the ground unconscious. Sgt Wimberg's heroic actions severely wounded one insurgent, stunned the other enemy fighters and created the momentum needed to break the ambush. Sgt Wimberg’s bold, selfless and courageous actions that day earned him the U.S. Marine Corps' third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals and Awards

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Navy & Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant David Neil Wimberg, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Squad Leader, Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2, SECOND Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, on 25 May 2005. During Operation New Market, while on patrol in the city of Hadithah, an enemy ambush pinned down Sergeant Wimberg and his Company's Command Element in the street. In an attempt to eliminate the source of the ambush, Sergeant Wimberg left his covered position, maneuvered through intense small arms fire, and scaled a wall in order to gain access to the courtyard where the source of fire was originating. Although twice driven back by high volumes of enemy fire, on his third attempt, he opened the gate and allowed his squad to enter. He then provided suppressive fire into insurgent positions in an adjacent house until his fire team was in position. After two failed attempts to breach the front door, and without regard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Wimberg kicked in the door and gained entry to the house. Finding himself face to face with four insurgents armed with AK-47 rifles, Sergeant Wimberg engaged the enemy at close quarters, firing his M-16A4 rifle until he was shot and fell to the ground unconscious. His heroic actions severely wounded one insurgent, stunned the other enemy fighters and created the momentum needed to break the ambush. Many Marines' lives were saved as a result of Sergeant Wimberg's decisive and selfless actions. By his zealous initiative, courage, and total devotion to duty, Sergeant Wimberg reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Burial

Sergeant David Neil Wimberg is buried at the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville, Jefferson County, KY, in Section C, Site 1028.



Honoree ID: 5286   Created by: MHOH

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