Fonseca, Luis, HM1

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
Many people may not know I was a high school drop out. Even though I was always fascinated with medicine, it wasn't enough to keep me grounded with my head in the books. As my friends graduated I saw my life was going nowhere. When I finally decided to join the Service I went to the Marine Corps Recruiter but very quickly found out that the Corps had no medical MOS. He tried talking me into many different fields but I knew what I wanted to be. I spoke to the Navy Recruiter and told him what happened with the Marine Recruiter and that's when he told me the Marines using Navy "Docs" so that's how it all began.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I graduated Boot Camp in Great Lakes, Illinois in September 1999; Hospital Corpsman Basic "A"; in February 2000; Field Medical Service School in May 2000. From there I served with 2nd AABn from May 2000 till August 2003, then from August 2003 - July 2004 with 2nd Bn, 8th Marines. I transferred to Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune where I served from July 2004 till May 2007. I am currently stationed on board the USS Bataan.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
I participated in OIF I January '03 - June '03; OEF (Afghanistan) November 2003 till May 2004; OIF III from February 2005 - September 2005 and deployed to the 5th AOR from May 2009 - December 2009.

[Editors Note: HM2 Fonseca received the Navy Cross for his actions in Iraq on 23rd March 2003.]

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Well it would most definitely have to be March 23, 2003. That was the day we were ambushed securing the northern bridge in Al Nasiriyah. That day, for obvious reasons, I will carry in my heart, soul and mind as having a profound effect on me.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
Navy Cross Award Citation
Hospitalman Luis E. Fonseca
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, WASHINGTON. D.C. The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY CROSS to HOSPITALMAN APPRENTICE LUIS E. FONSECA, JR., UNITED STATES NAVY for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For extraordinary heroism as Corpsman, Amphibious Assault Vehicle Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 2d Marines, Task Force TARAWA, I Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 23 March 2003. During Company C's assault and seizure of the Saddam Canal Bridge, five casualties resulted when an amphibious assault vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade. Without concern for his own safety, Hospitalman Apprentice Fonseca braved small arms, machine gun, and intense rocket propelled grenade fire to evacuate the wounded Marines from the burning amphibious assault vehicle. Establishing a casualty collection point inside the unit's medical evacuation amphibious assault vehicle, he calmly and methodically stabilized two casualties with lower limb amputations by applying tourniquets and administering morphine. Hospitalman Apprentice Fonseca continued to treat and care for the wounded until his vehicle was rendered immobile by enemy fire. Under a wall of enemy machine gun fire, he directed the movement of four casualties from the damaged vehicle by organizing litter teams from available Marines. He personally carried one critically wounded Marine over open ground to another vehicle. Following a deadly artillery barrage, he again exposed himself to enemy fire to treat wounded Marines along the perimeter. His timely and effective care undoubtedly saved the lives of numerous casualties. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Hospitalman Apprentice Fonseca reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
It's difficult to list just one. Even though quite a few people have been very influential in my career I have to credit two people with being "the most" influential.

First would be HMCS Pamela Branum - she was an HM2 when I went to FMSS and was my instructor. She ultimately molded me and instilled the great pride of being called "Doc" that I still carry with me today. She unfortunately passed away in 2009. Next would have to be MSgt Myers. He was my Platoon Sergeant during OIF I. He was Gunnery Sergeant Myers at the time and when I first got attached to his platoon he told me "I'm only going to tell you this once. I don't like Corpsman. Stay out of my way, don't make a sound and I won't kill you." I admit those first words he spoke to me scared me. From that moment, however, I decided I had to give him my all and try to change his way of thinking. I later found out during Desert Storm, when he was a LCpl, that he was not well taken care of by his Corpsman during a firefight and because of that, he never called a Corpsman "Doc". On that day, March 23rd, 2003, for which I was awarded the Navy Cross, after the main fighting had finally stopped, he came up to me and gave me a big hug. With pride in his voice, he said "Doc, you did one hell of a job. OORAH Marine!" He became one of my biggest mentors without me even knowing it.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I am currently stationed aboard the USS Bataan (LHD-5) and I'm waiting to class-up to Deep Sea Dive Medical Technician School, which will be in June 2010.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Legion of Valor

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
It's definitely taught me to never back down and go after your dreams even when everyone tells you it can't be done. Live your life to the fullest with honor, pride and courage.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
Being in the Navy, but having served with Marines, has allowed me to be a Member of both Navy and Marines Togetherweserved.com websites. This has allowed me to keep in touch with Marines I know and to extend my Marine brethren. Through the Navy TWS site, I have been able to keep in touch with a great many of my fellow Shipmates no matter where I am in the world.


Published in TWS "Voices" February 1, 2010