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To the ranks of Sgt Dan Daly, GySgt John Basilone, and GySgt Carlos Hathcock, we can now add the name of former Marine Corporal Thomas Autry. While Daly, Basilone, and Hathcock distinguished themselves in combat, Autry proved his metal in an attack on the streets of Atlanta, this past Memorial Day.

While there is no comparison with the battlefield heroics of the countless Marines who have distinguished themselves in combat, Mr. Autry proved that a well trained Marine is always a force to be reckoned with. When five street vermin attempted to mug Autry, he did the wise thing and attempted to avoid the conflict. All the while, he kept his head about him and was securing the pocket knife from his backpack. When he was cornered and could no longer escape, he kicked the shotgun from the hands of one attacker and stabbed another as she jumped on top of him. He stabbed a third and disarmed a fourth attacker of his pistol before the crooks figured that they were outnumbered and fled to the nearest hospital. The female died of her chest wound and the rest were arrested.

Cpl Autry has a clear perspective on the whole incident. When told that many consider him a hero, Autry replied, "The heroes are those guys out there fighting for us every day and not getting any respect. That [killing his attacker] wasn't admirable, it was fight or flight - and I tried the flight."

Don't bring a knife to a gunfight, unless you are a US Marine. OO-RAH!!