Sean Andrew Stokes
Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps

From 9 to 18 November 2004, then-Corporal Sean Andrew Stokes was serving as Rifleman, First Platoon, Company L, Third Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 03-05.

Throughout 9 days of high intensity urban combat in Fallujah, Cpl Stokes fought as his unit's point man, requiring him to repeatedly be the 1st man to engage enemy forces. On 9 and 11 November, Cpl Stokes led a 4-man element into a building held by armed enemy. As they entered the building, Cpl Stokes' element was engaged with automatic rifle fire from within. Fearless in the face of danger, Cpl Stokes pressed forward in the close confines of the building against the enemy fire and killed the insurgent before his fellow Marines could be injured. On 17 November, an enemy hand grenade exploded beneath Cpl Stokes as he cleared a small house, severely wounding him. Although dazed and wounded from the blast, rather than attempting to save himself and exit the building, Cpl Stokes chose to ensure that the Marines around him were protected and began suppressing the enemy within the house with his rifle. The fire Cpl Stokes provided allowed the rest of his team to reach a covered position outside the house, where they organized an assault and reentered the building, killing the enemy in a counterattack. Cpl Stokes fought through Fallujah with the resolve of closing on the enemy, while protecting the Marines around him at all costs. Cpl Stokes' extraordinary heroism in the face of extreme danger earned him the U.S. Marine Corps' third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

On 30 July 2007, Cpl Stokes died of wounds sustained during combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was 24 on on his 4th tour in Iraq.

Medals and Awards

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart with 2 Gold Stars
Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Navy & Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with Bronze Star

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Sean Andrew Stokes, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Rifleman, First Platoon, Company L, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from 9 November 2004 to 18 November 2004, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 03-05. Throughout nine days of high intensity urban combat in Fallujah, Corporal Stokes fought as his unit's point man, requiring him to repeatedly be the first man to engage enemy forces. On 9 and 11 November, Corporal Stokes led a four man element into a building held by armed enemy. As they entered the building, his element was engaged with automatic rifle fire from within. Fearless in the face of danger, Corporal Stokes pressed forward in the close confines of the building against the enemy fire and killed the insurgent before his fellow Marines could be injured. On 17 November, an enemy hand grenade exploded beneath Corporal Stokes as he cleared a small house, severely wounding him. Though dazed and wounded from the blast, and rather than attempting to save himself and exit the building, he chose to ensure the Marines around him were protected and began suppressing the enemy within the house with his rifle. The fire he provided allowed the rest of his team to reach a covered position outside the house, where they organized an assault and reentered the building, killing the enemy in a counterattack. Corporal Stokes fought through Fallujah with the resolve of closing on the enemy, while protecting the Marines around him at all costs. By his extraordinary heroism in the face of extreme danger, zealous initiative, and exceptional dedication to duty, Corporal Stokes reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Burial

Corporal Sean Andrew Stokes is buried at Janesville Cemetery in Janesville, Lassen County, CA.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20710809/sean-andrew-stokes