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A Leader’s Tears

By Ken Herman | Thursday, January 11, 2007, 02:19 PM

President Bush, criticized by some for rarely showing much public emotion about the losses in Iraq, shed a tear this morning at a White House ceremony during which he posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to Marine Corporal Jason Dunham.

Here is Bush’s account of Dunham’s heroism:

“In April 2004, during an attack near Iraq’s Syrian border, Corporal Dunham was assaulted by an insurgent who jumped out of a vehicle that was about to be searched. As Corporal. Dunham wrestled the man to the ground, the insurgent rolled out a grenade he had been hiding. Corporal Dunham did not hesitate. He jumped on the grenade, using his helmet and body to absorb the blast. Although he survived the initial explosion, he did not survive his wounds. But by his selflessness, Corporal Dunham saved the lives of two of his men, and showed the world what it means to be a Marine.”

On hand to see the awarding of the Medal of Honor were the late Marine’s parents, Dan and Deb Dunham; his brothers Justin and Kyle; sister Katie and other family members.

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