Marine Capt. Dominique B. Neal - Someone You Should Know

Posted By Blackfive

Received the article (below) via the Marine All Hands email network...

On April 17th, during one of the worst firefights in Iraq, Captain Richard J. Gannon III, Comander of Company L, 3/7 Marines, was killed while trying to rescue a wounded Marine. He and two Lance Corporals ran out into a hail of gunfire to rescue a wounded comrade. The CO was lost.

A common misconception amongst the enemies of the United States is that if you kill the leadership of a unit, the unit will fall apart. There is nothing farther from the truth. And the Marines proved it that day.

The beloved Commander (said by his men to be as "tough as a $2 steak!") had trained his Executive Officer well.

First Lieutenant Dominique Neal took over the battle after losing his good friend and Commander, Captain Gannon. The Marines took the fight to the terrorists and won the day.

Frocked captain steps into commander's role
<...>
It was also the sort of day Neal trained for his entire career, but prayed would never come. Neal was the company's executive officer and a 1st lieutenant. The San Francisco Marine took control of the situation "without hesitation" after learning of one of the day's casualties.

Capt. Richard J. Gannon III, commanding officer, was killed along with two others while attempting to rescue a wounded Marine.

"When I first heard I was in shock," Neal explained. "Commanding officers aren't supposed to die. He wasn't only the C.O., but he was also a close friend. The only person I worked closely with."

Gannon was remembered as approachable by anyone, according to Neal.

"He was my inspiration, and the reason I was able to catch on so quickly," Neal said.

After the initial attacks, activity picked up as the company sent Marines to evacuate casualties from the IED explosion. Marines took cover as terrorists poured heavy fire from various buildings including a building now known to be the terrorists' headquarters.

"They went out and took cover in the wrong building," said Lance Cpl. Mark Edward Dean, a team leader for Company K from Owasso, Okla. "Or maybe the right one... I'm not sure, but I do know they went into the building owned by the bad guy."

The terrorists, believed to be from neighboring Syria, were better trained than the Iraqi forces who attacked them before.

But they were no match for American Marines. Reinforced and led by First Lieutenant Neal, Company L fought on.

Neal was credited with quickly reacting to the mission and situation at hand and dealing a heavy blow to the terrorists.

"When it was all said and done, I was already getting used to the fact that we were getting another C.O.," Neal explained. "Then I heard the C.G. was coming down. So I prepared myself."

Occasionally, somebody in the military does something right. Instead of putting another Captain in Command of Company L, and there were probably a lot of staff Captains in HQ chomping at the bit, the Division General made the right decision - a decision that Captain Gannon would have whole-heartedly agreed with...

On April 19, Neal was frocked by Maj. Gen. James N. Mattis to his current rank of captain and made commander of Company L.

"It was a total shock," Neal said. "They did it right there next to the chow hall. With the C.G. and all, you know you have to be on the ball, but I was just totally surprised by this."

Neal, though happy to become a captain, was also extremely aware of why he now wears his bars.

"The C.G. and battalion commander made me the company's commander," Neal said. "But it's because of Gannon that I'm really one. I'll never forget why it is I where these."

Neal believes whole-heartedly Gannon was the reason he was ready to lead Marines during the day's fight.

"I've been helped a lot during the years," Neal said. "But no one helped more then him."

Neal, not only carrying the weight of a company but now bearing a heavy conscience, knowing why it is he is where he is.

He plans on visiting Gannon's family to explain everything to the best of his knowledge. He said he's going to send them all of his belongings. Neal even refuses to move into Gannon's rack.

"I can't," Neal says. "It's still his rack. You know, still I return a response when someone is calling for the X.O. This is hard, but thanks to him I'll get through."...

Captain Dominique B. Neal is someone that I thought you should get to know. And Captain Richard J. Gannon is someone that you should never forget.

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Comments

[Janar Wasito]

I used to be Lima Company, 3/7, XO. This story hits home. Now, I am working with Spirit of America.

[Bezan Morris]

Dominique Neal was my roommate through college and remains a close friend. He's a hard worker who will give 100% of himself for his Marines. God Bless you Dom. Best of luck to you and your Marines. Semper Fi.