From the American Forces Press Service
Clough was a squad leader with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, who led his Marines on more than 100 combat patrols in Iraq. The squadron frequently came under attack from direct and indirect fire and improvised explosive devices, and Clough impressed upon his Marines the value of working closely with close-air operators in case the need for combat assistance or a medical evacuation should arise.
The sergeant was so confident in his unit’s ability, he said, that even though he lived in an area crawling with insurgents, he lived without fear.
“You’ve basically got your family there to look out for each other, so it gives you a false sense of security all the time,” he said.
Clough’s illusion of security was shattered the day after Christmas 2006. While conducting a routine patrol in a sparse, sandy section near Fallujah, Iraq, a sniper shot him, sinking a bullet into a section of flesh unprotected by body armor.
“It went in my right hip, came out my left hip, nipped my femoral artery and bruised my sciatic nerve,” Clough said. “I don’t have any feeling in my left foot or movement in my left foot any more.”
Clough hit the ground moments after being shot. He was losing blood so rapidly that he quickly blacked out.
Clough’s comrades immediately took control of the situation. Within 10 minutes, they stopped the sergeant’s bleeding and called in a helicopter to evacuate him. The hours of training and practice runs that Clough had conducted with his Marines would ultimately save his life.
While still unconscious, Clough made his homecoming from Iraq. “The next thing I remember is waking up New Year’s Day in Bethesda (Naval Hospital) intensive care unit,” said the Marine, whose first instinct was to confirm that his battle buddies back in Iraq were safe.
Clough returned to his parents’ home in Stonington, Conn., where he now undergoes outpatient rehabilitation. The tiny town of roughly 18,000 greeted him with open arms, the sergeant said.
“The first selectman of the town there gave me Justin Lewis Clough day,” he said. “It’s my own little day there in the town of Stonington.”
In addition to being honored as the USO’s Marine of the Year, Clough also has been recommended for the Bronze Star with Combat “V” for valor.
From Defenselink.mil
The unconventional nature of the war in Iraq has demanded much from the Marine Corps NCOs on the ground. During his two tours in Iraq, Marine Corps Sgt. Justin L. Clough exhibited leadership on numerous occasions, in combat, communications, air support, and rescue missions. Clough served a Squad Leader with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, and his squad undertook more than 100 combat patrols. In between missions, Clough trained his squad to enhance its communication skills with aircrews that provide support during combat operations. He also taught his team how to conduct evacuations for the wounded, and implemented cutting-edge infantry tactics. Clough's dedication to training his men eventually helped save his life. Clough and his team repeatedly came under fire during direct and indirect attacks. They also had to constantly dodge improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Clough usually took the lead during assignments, constantly placing himself in the line of fire. On one occasion in Anbar province, an insurgent sniper wounded Clough. After quickly regaining consciousness, Clough's first concern was to look out for the Marines next to him. Sgt. Nathaniel Clough, Justin's twin brother, tended to his wounds.
Having been trained to deal with the situation at hand, Clough's squad quickly and ably radioed in his injury, requested immediate assistance, and prepared an evacuation by air.
For his actions in combat, Sergeant Clough was honored with the USO (United Service Organizations) Marine of the Year award, as well as the Purple Heart. He has also been recommended for the Bronze Star with Combat "V" for valor. Clough�s service, which includes a tour of duty in Afghanistan, has been recognized by numerous institutions, including Stonington, CT, where the town celebrated "Justin Lewis Clough Day." Clough threw out the first pitch at a Washington Nationals baseball game this past year.
Clough is quick to praise those around him � especially his brother, whom Clough credits with saving his life. Sgt. Nathaniel Clough later earned the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a Combat "V."
