Overview

On Memorial Day, Legally Armed America host Paul Glasco recounted the April 22, 2008 incident at Joint Security Station Nasser in Ramadi, Iraq, where Cpl. Jonathan T. Yale and Lance Cpl. Jordan C. Harter stood their ground against a suicide truck bomb. The six-second engagement ended with both Marines killed, yet their actions prevented the 2,000-pound device from reaching the compound and killing scores inside.

Pros

• Immediate, selfless response that halted the vehicle short of its target.
• Credited with saving an estimated 33 Marines, 21 Iraqi police, and numerous civilians at the gate, plus up to 50 additional Marines and 100 Iraqi policemen asleep inside.
• Posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, ensuring formal recognition of their valor.

Cons

• The incident lasted only seconds, leaving no margin for evacuation or additional defensive measures.
• Both Marines paid the ultimate price, underscoring the irreversible human cost of such sacrifices.
• The story remains relatively unknown outside Marine Corps circles, limiting broader public awareness.

Key Quotes

“They saved everyone’s life here.” — fellow Marine on scene

“Because of Lance Corporal Harter and Corporal Yale, I will be able to see my son again.” — fellow Marine and father

“They chose to protect the people behind them instead of trying to save themselves.” — Paul Glasco