Albert Pasquale Gettings
Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps

Albert Pasquale Gettings entered the U.S. Marine Corps at Parris Island, SC, on 3 June 2002. After boot camp, he completed Infantry Training Battalion and Supply and Accounting School. He then spent two years at the School of Infantry Supply Depot at Camp Geiger, Jacksonville, NC. Upon completion of Reconniassance Training Platoon in August 2004, he requested transfer to an Infantry Battalion at Camp Lejeune, NC. His first deployment was to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan where he spent about five and a half months. His 2nd deployment was in mid-September 2005, to the Al Anbar Province near Fallujah, Iraq.

On 5 January 2006, then-Corporal Albert Pasquale Gettings was serving as a Team Leader with Company F, Second Battalion, Sixth Marines, Second Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On that day, while conducting counter-sniper operations in Al Fallujah, Iraq, Cpl Gettings and his squad came under automatic weapons fire, the initial volley of fire wounding him and another Marine. Suffering from a gunshot wound to his abdomen and still under direct enemy observation, Cpl Gettings immediately stood up and returned fire while the other wounded Marine moved to a covered position. Ignoring his own safety, Cpl Gettings remained fully exposed to the enemy as he directed employment of his Marines and provided suppressive fires to cover their movement. Refusing to be evacuated despite his severe wounds, Cpl Gettings maintained a calm demeanor as he continued to direct the fires of his Marines as they maneuvered against the enemy. Only after the squad was in position and engaging the enemy did Cpl Gettings move to a covered position, where he collapsed from his wounds. Cpl Gettings' bold, selfless and courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, 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 Commendation Medal
Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal
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 Corporal Albert Pasquale Gettings, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy on 5 January 2006 while serving as a Team Leader with Company F, Second Battalion, Sixth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. While conducting counter sniper operations in Al Fallujah, Iraq, Corporal Gettings and his squad came under automatic weapons fire, the initial volley of fire wounding him and another Marine. Suffering from a gunshot wound to his abdomen and still under direct enemy observation, Corporal Gettings immediately stood up and returned fire while the other wounded Marine moved to a covered position. With total disregard for his own safety, Corporal Gettings remained fully exposed to the enemy as he directed employment of his Marines and provided suppressive fires to cover their movement. Refusing to be evacuated despite his severe wounds, he maintained a calm demeanor as he continued to direct the fires of his Marines as they maneuvered against the enemy. Only after the squad was in position and engaging the enemy did he move to a covered position, where he collapsed from his wounds. By his bold initiative, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Corporal Gettings reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Marine Corps.

Burial

Corporal Albert Pasquale Gettings is buried at Parkside Cemetery in Lawrence County, PA.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13018588/albert-pasquale-gettings