Stann was born at Yokota Air Base in Japan and grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Scranton Preparatory School and then matriculated to the United States Naval Academy in 2003. He played football for the Midshipmen at the position of middle linebacker during his time at the Naval Academy.[1] Upon graduation, he was assigned as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps, and rose to the rank of Captain.[2]
On May 8, 2005, Lt. Stann was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines and his commanded the 2nd Mobile Assault Platoon. During Operation Matador, his unit was ambushed by insurgents while trying to secure Ramana Bridge, near Karabilah. Stann and his Marines held out for six days under heavy attacks while Stann coordinated air and tank support that eventually allowed them to be relieved on May 14, 2005.[3] All forty-two Marines in Stann's platoon survived, and the following March, Stann was awarded the Silver Star, the nation's third highest award for valor in combat.[4] Part of the citation reads: "Second Lieutenant Stann personally directed two casualty operations, three vehicle recovery operations and multiple close air support missions under enemy small arms, machine gun and mortar fire in his 360-degree fight."[3] This mission was shown on the episode, "Iraq's Most Wanted" on the History Channel show, Shootout!, in which Brain Stann was interviewed. He left active duty in the Marine Corps as of May 2008.
Marine Corps officials say they continue to use Stann's story as a recruiting tool, and he attributes his success to the MMA foundation he learned fighting at the Marine Corps Martial Arts Center for Excellence in Quantico, Va. “He has been an ideal spokesperson and role model,” said Lt. Col. Mike Zeliff, assistant chief of staff for advertising with Marine Corps Recruiting Command.[5]
Brian Stann blog site link.
Brian Stann official page link.
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