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Marine Sergeant James Wright has been awarded the Bronze Star for valor in combat. He is also in training as a hand-to-hand combat instructor at the Marine Corps Martial Arts Commitment to Excellence Program at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia.

This is interesting, but not worthy of any banner headlines. Still, it takes only a quick glance to see there is something different about this young Marine. In place of his two hands, Sergeant Wright wears two steel hooks. His hands were both severed and he received a major leg wound when the lead Humvee in which he was riding was struck by a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG), while on patrol with the First Reconnaissance Battalion in Iraq.

The blast blew off his helmet and safety glasses. It ruptured his left eardrum. But, these were the least of his injuries.

"I opened my eyes", he said, "and looked at my hands. I saw they were both gone. I remember thinking 'damn', both of them?"

The blast had also torn deeply into Wright's leg. The thighbone was visible and there was massive bleeding. He knew he had to get medical attention at once.

With three other Marines in the vehicle also wounded, according to his award citation "Wright was the epitome of composure." He calmly instructed others how to get on the radio and call for support. He told them how to render first aid. He also pointed out enemy machine-gun emplacements to his fellow Marines, thus assisting in the demise of 26 enemies killed in action.

Even as the action was unfolding, Wright instructed one of his Lance Corporals to put tourniquets on his wounds.

"I had to stay calm", he insists. "If I freaked out the younger Marines without combat experience would freak out."

Later the Marine was retelling the harrowing experience of the insurgent ambush from his hospital bed at the Bethesda National Naval Medical Center. Visiting him was Major General Thomas S. Jones, Commanding General of the Training and Education Command. The general sat amazed as Wright recounted the action and finally asked how he had managed to keep from going into shock and passing out. Wright replied, "Sir, I couldn't pass out. I was in charge."

Sergeant Wright is now undergoing the lengthy process of appearing in front of a medical board. It will take many months, but the end result will be medical retirement from the Marine Corps.

Wright claims he would rather return to his unit.

While undergoing this long medical evaluation, he has elected to continue working with other Marines. He is training as a martial arts instructor, attending all classes and taking his turn getting banged around on the mats.

Wright also continues to be an inspiration to other troops recovering from combat wounds. They have likened him to the Marine heroes of yesteryear. He openly speaks to them of his experiences and what he is doing now as he continues responding to treatments for his wounds.

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