Lance Cpl. Richard M. Mason II, of Medina, Ohio is a 21-year-old assaultman with K Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. His weapon of expertise is is a portable anti-armor rocket launcher known as the Shoulder-Launched Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon or SMAW. Weighing in at 30 pounds fully loaded, it can be used to destroy bunkers and other fortifications and even has the capability to take out tanks.
“They are calling me ‘Rocket man’ because of all the rockets I’ve fired since we have been here,...It’s an adrenaline rush to be the guy firing the rocket during a firefight.”
Mason has accurately fired 24 rockets in combat and his teammates have dubbed him appropriately.
The enemy is often very sorry to see Lance Cpl Mason show up
One night during an attack on the Government Center, mortar teams launched illumination rounds to give Mason enough light to see his target. However, the objective was not the only thing the flare illuminated; it also exposed Mason’s position on the roof. Insurgents spotted him and rounds came flying his way. That night he fired four rockets in heavy contact to repel the attack....
In another situation, K Company Marines at the Government Center began exchanging machinegun fire with insurgents May 2. The insurgents managed to burrow themselves inside a well fortified building which made it harder for the Marines to eliminate the threat. Mason was ordered to fire a rocket at the building from the rooftop. He scrambled to the rooftop again exposing himself to incoming fire, his teammates laid down suppressive fire and he launched a rocket at the building.
“His quick reactions possibly saved the lives of his fellow Marines. You only get one opportunity to shoot it,” said Goetz. “It leaves a big signature so you need to be on target.”
Just another day in the life of the Rocket Man