KTIV NewsChannel 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and SportsMarine shares heroic story with students

Marine shares heroic story with students

CHEROKEE, Iowa (KTIV) - Imagine being shot multiple times, throwing yourself onto a grenade, and losing most of your blood, all in order to save a fellow comrade.

It's the story of one true American hero who spoke at a Siouxland high school Wednesday.

Sergeant Major Brad Kasal, a man by making but a Marine by heart. Decorated with 23 medals and 6 ribbons, Sergeant Major Brad Kasal embodies what it means to be an American hero.

"Sometimes you have to fight for what you believe in," said Sergeant Major Brad Kasal.

Sergeant Major Brad Kasal is originally from Marengo, Iowa.  But what makes his story different is this picture snapped by an imbedded journalist in Iraq nearly five years ago.

"If you look at the close up, you'll be able to see not only all the blood, but all the shrapnel holes and things like that," said Kasal.

It all started when a group of Marines, including Kasal, took on a mission to save three other Marines who had become prisoners during Operation Phantom Fury.

"There was no way we were going to let another Marine be caught by one of them," said Kasal.

He and the Marines secured the enemy house but didn't see one small room buried deep in a dark corner.

"Right there, where a light switch was an enemy insurgent.  Luckily, I was able to back up just enough when he squeezed the trigger the rounds went right across my chest and impacted the wall right next to me," said Kasal.

Kasal was able to shoot the Chechnya man who had come to Iraq simply to kill Americans.  But his troubles were just beginning.  After two hours of laying there injured, he says he got a sixth sense and seconds later he felt like he was being hit with a sledgehammer.

"Had five rounds in my leg and lower back," said Kasal.

He went for cover, but then realized the other Marine with him was also shot and still in danger.

"And they were kind of using him as bait," said Kasal.

Kasal took the bait, knowing he couldn't leave his comrade, and was shot again.  Kasal was able to get himself and the other Marine into a room which he thought was safe.

"Again that sixth sense kicked in and I heard a noise to the right of me and I heard something clunk," said Kasal.

That clunk was a grenade, so he made a split second decision to save his fellow marine.

"Pushed him down, covered him up and used my body to try and absorb the blast from the grenade to at least keep him alive," said Kasal.

After he realized his legs took most of the blast, he got back into combat mode.

"Because I knew right when that went off, they would probably try to come in and finish us off," said Kasal.

He heard footsteps coming, and to his joy and amazement the men where his own and he and the Marine he fought to save would both live.  A story of courage, dedication, and personal strength told by a truly humble American hero. 

Sergeant Major Kasal wrote an entire book about his time as a Marine called, "My Men Are My Heroes."

Online Reporter: Melissa Lanzourakis