Jim Stogner, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, received the prestigious Navy Cross Medal during a special ceremony Friday afternoon, April 5 at the VFW in Polson. The presentation was made by United States Marine Corps Lt. General Frank Libutti. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines served as master of ceremonies for the well-attended event.
April 5 of this year marks the 52nd anniversary of the day when Stogner showed extraordinary heroism and courage while rescuing a fellow Marine. On that date in 1967, the 18-year-old Stogner was serving as part of a machine gun team. He saved the life of a Marine who was being tortured while in the hands of the North Vietnamese soldiers as well as saving the lives of numerous other Marines. The Navy Cross is the U.S. military’s second-highest decoration award after only the Medal of Honor. Read more about Stogner’s heroics and comaraderie in the April 11 issue of the Lake County Leader.