Marine Corporal Michael Paul Savoie, 28, of Folsom, Louisiana has been deployed to Iraq twice. During both deployments he was injured. While serving as a machine gunner with Company A, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 2D Marines, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, on October 4, 2004, and while moving through the city of Haswah, Iraq, located south of Baghdad in the “Triangle of Death”, Michael’s patrol was ambushed by a combination of improvised explosive devices (IED), rocket-propelled grenades, machine gun and small arms fire. Once he located the enemy position, Michael immediately oriented his M240G machine gun and began to suppress them with deadly accurate fire. In return, the enemy concentrated their fires on his vehicle and Michael was struck by a bullet, which penetrated his helmet and knocked him out of his turret. When he observed another wounded Marine exposed to enemy fire he bravely got back into his turret to provide covering fire. He later noticed another Marine down and was able to pull this Marine to safety. He continued to fight even though he had sustained head injuries. Michael was awarded a Purple Heart and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with the combat distinguishing device for his total dedication to duty and perseverance. He recovered from those injuries.

Then on January 24, 2005, while serving with his company for their 2nd tour to Iraq, Michael was on patrol when an IED exploded next to his humvee. He sustained 1st and 2nd degree burns to his face. Shrapnel was
embedded into his Flax jacket, turret, humvee and his weapon. Michael was awarded his 2nd Purple Heart. He is unable to return to Iraq due to severe pulmonary and other medical complications which have arisen from his previous tours. He is presently being treated for these conditions.

We salute Corporal Savoie for his tenacity, perseverance and courage. Thank you for your sacrifices for our country.