Nick Popaditch
Nick Popaditch | |
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Persian Gulf War Iraq War | |
Nicholas Allen Popaditch[1] (born July 2, 1967) is a medically retired United States Marine Corps gunnery sergeant who gained fame as the "Cigar Marine", recipient of the Silver Star and Purple Heart. He ran unsuccessfully as the 2010 Republican candidate for California's 51st congressional district, losing to incumbent Democrat Bob Filner. He ran again in 2012 in the 53rd congressional district, losing to incumbent Democrat Susan Davis.[3]
Early life and education
Popaditch was born in East Chicago, Indiana and was raised in Terre Haute, Indiana. After choosing not to take up a college scholarship,[4] he enlisted in the Marine Corps.
Military career
Popaditch
During the
During his second deployment, Popaditch commanded tanks again in the
Civilian career
After a brief recovery period living in
In 2008, Popaditch authored, with Mike Steere, the memoir Once a Marine: An Iraq War Tank Commander's Inspirational Memoir of Combat, Courage, and Recovery, (
Political campaigns
2010
On November 10, 2009, Popaditch announced his campaign for
2012
In January 2012, Popaditch announced his intention to seek the congressional seat in the newly
Awards
Popaditch is the recipient of the following awards:[45]
Silver Star citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant Nicholas A. Popaditch, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Tank Platoon Sergeant, First Platoon, Company C, First Tank Battalion, Second Battalion, First Marine Regiment, FIRST Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from 6 to 7 April 2004. While on patrol in the city of Al Fallujah, Iraq, Fox Company came under heavy enemy fire and without hesitation, Gunnery Sergeant Popaditch surged his two tanks into the city to support the Marines under fire. He led his tank section several blocks into the city, drawing enemy fire away from the beleaguered Marines. His decisive actions enabled Fox Company to gain a foothold into the city and evacuate a critically wounded Marine. For several hours, enemy forces engaged his tank section with withering rocket-propelled grenade fire until they were destroyed by accurate machine gun fire. Acting as the forward observer for an AC-130 gunship, Gunnery Sergeant Popaditch directed fire onto enemy targets effecting their annihilation. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he moved his tank forward to draw the enemy from their covered and concealed positions allowing the AC-130 to engage them. On the morning of 7 April, Gunnery Sergeant Popaditch was severely wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade blast while fighting insurgents. Blinded and deafened by the blast, he remained calm and ordered his crew to a medical evacuation site. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Gunnery Sergeant Popaditch reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.[1]
References
- ^ Gannett Government Media. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ "Introduction to the Book Once a Marine by Nick "Gunny Pop" Popaditch". Weider History Network. 27 May 2008. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
- ^ a b "U.S. House of Representatives District 53 - Districtwide Results". California Secretary of State. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
- ^ Allen G. Breed (30 September 2012). "2012 Elections Veterans: Tammy Duckworth Among Former Service Members Running For Public Office". Allen G. Breed. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
- ^ Hot Air. Archived from the originalon 9 November 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ "Gunnery Sgt. Nick Popaditch". Marines magazine. United States Marine Corps. August 12, 2010. p. 12. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ a b "Gunnery Sergeant Nick Popaditch - The Cigar Marine - And Someone You Should Know". Blackfive. May 18, 2004. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Carter, Chelsea J. (10 April 2006). "Marine's celebration cigar had dual meaning". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 21 September 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ISBN 978-1-5040-2506-5.
Nick Popaditch, recently promoted to Gunnery Sergeant, had volunteered to return to Iraq with C Company, 1st Tank and was now a platoon sergeant.
- ^ Carter, Chelsea J. (11 April 2006). "We regret to inform you". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 21 September 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Carter, Chelsea J. (12 April 2006). "Coming Home To Uncertainty". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 21 September 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Haskamp, Sgt Jennie E. (November 11, 2005). "Tanker receives Silver Star, shines at MCAGCC ball". United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Nola, LCpl Zachary J. (September 22, 2008). "Retired tank commander gives motivating leadership PME". The Observation Post. Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms: United States Marine Corps.
- ^ Carter, Chelsea J. (13 April 2006). "Wounded War Vet Starts Life Anew". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 21 September 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Todd Brown (19 September 2008). "Training Center Helps Wounded Veterans Work Toward Media Careers". MTV. Viacom International Inc. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
- ^ Mel Cowan (1 February 2009). "Armed and Ready to Film". Trojan Family Magazine. University of Southern California. Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
- ^ "GySgt. Nick Popaditch". Combat Veterans For Congress.org. COMBAT VETERANS FOR CONGRESS PAC. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
- ^ Brofer, Sgt Jennifer (September 2, 2009). "'Once a Marine' author tells inspirational memoir of combat, courage and recovery". 1st Marine Logistics Group. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton: United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Lubin, Andrew (December 2008). "Reviewer's Bookwatch: Andrew's Bookshelf". Midwest Book Review. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Loring, Robert B. "Book Review: Once a Marine". Leatherneck. Marine Corps Association. Archived from the original on 23 March 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ "Once a Marine: An Iraq War Tank Commander's Inspirational Memoir of Combat, Courage, and Recovery". ForeWord. September 2008. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Conway, James T. (September 8, 2009). "ALMAR 029/09: Updates to Marine Corps Professional Reading List". Commandant of the Marine Corps. United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Sarah Keeney (26 August 2011). "Once a Marine Added to the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Reading List". Retrieved 11 March 2012.
- ^ "Nick Popaditch (R)". Wall Street Journal. 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- ^ Gidget Fuentes (5 January 2013). "'Cigar Marine' offers advice to recruits". Marine Corps Times. San Diego. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
- ^ Nathan Max (13 January 2013). "Want to be a Marine?". San Diego Union Tribune. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ^ Breed, Allen G.; Watson, Julie (8 January 2014). "Reversals in Hard-Won Iraqi City Vex Veterans". Associated Press. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
- San Diego Union-Tribune. Archivedfrom the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
- ^ Reed, Chris (December 2, 2009). "Hot Seat: Nick Popaditch". KOGO. The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ "VFW-PAC endorsement controversy". KUSI. 20 October 2010. Archived from the original on 11 February 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ "California Daily in Hot Water Over Editorial Cartoon". Editor & Publisher. 13 July 2010. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Geraghty, Jim (July 12, 2010). "In Nick Popaditch vs. a Cartoonist, I Know Who I Bet On". National Review Online. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Perry, Tony (July 13, 2010). "Congressman calls cartoon of his opponent 'in poor taste'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ "Congressional Candidate Nick Popoditch Calls Voting Allegations "Completely False"". KUSI. 29 October 2010. Archived from the original on 1 November 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Jordan, Tom (1 November 2010). "Nick Popaditch sets the record straight on Good Morning San Diego". KUSI. Archived from the original on 11 February 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ "Popaditch on Filner ad: 'This is just who he is'". KUSI. 1 November 2010. Archived from the original on 11 February 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ John Fund (26 October 2010). "Read This Before Joining the Office Pool". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
- ^ Hunter, Duncan L. (November 3, 2010). "Former Congressman Duncan Hunter Analyzes Election Results". KUSI. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Dadian, John (November 3, 2010). "Political Consultant John Dadian Analyzes Tuesday's Election Results". KUSI. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- National Review Online. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
- San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
- ^ Miriam, Raftery (15 June 2012). "STATE AND FEDERAL RUN-OFF MATCHUPS FOR NOVEMBER". East County Magazine. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
Democratic Congresswoman Susan Davis won the primary handily in a two-candidate race, with 57.67% over Republican Nick Popaditch, who took 42.33%.
- ^ "PRIMARY 2012: Congressional Districts". San Francisco Chronicle. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
42.6
- ^ U-T San Diego Editorial Board (1 November 2012). "Vote for Popaditch in 53rd House district". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
- ^ "Campaign publicity photo". Archived from the original on 2010-08-26. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
- Kusmer, Ken (April 10, 2004). "Marine whose photo symbolized Baghdad's fall severely wounded in Fallujah fighting". Associated Press.
- Carter, Chelsea J. (January 19, 2008). "Lights, camera and a different kind of action: Wounded Marines get training for film careers". Associated Press.
- "Decorated, cigar-smoking Marine runs for Congress". Associated Press. November 12, 2009.