Intertribal Life Newspaper -

PINE RIDGE-It takes a special kind of person to continuously volunteer to place themselves in harm's way. To willingly travel into hostile territory knowing all the dangers takes someone who cares more about freedom around the world than the average American.

Luckily, Myron Tapio is anything but average. That's because Tapio is a Marine. He is a part of the smallest, yet "the best," branch of the United States Military, according to many. Tapio is not your ordinary Marine either; he was recently the recipient of the Purple Heart, after being struck by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device).

During his time in the Marines Tapio has been in "hot spots," active war zones, several times. Unfortunately, his time fighting terrorism eventually caught up with him.

During his last deployment to Afghanistan on July 4th, 2013, Tapio ran into trouble along with his fellow soldiers in Delta Company 2nd Tank Battalion.

"I was the Platoon Sergeant for 3rd Platoon. On September 8th my section of tanks was called up for a QRF (Quick Response Force) to assist the rest of the company. As my tank was moving through an irrigation ditch that was lined with trees my tank struck an IED," said Tapio. "The IED had put the tank on fire immediately."

Luckily, the entire crew in the tank was able to escape. Unfortunately, not everyone got out unharmed. The gunner, loader and Tapio all received injuries in the blast and resulting fire. The driver was able to escape unburned, but did have other injuries from the blast. After escaping the battle zone the crew was able to get the medical attention they needed.

"My entire crew was then med-vacced to [Camp] Bastion. My gunner, loader and I were then flown to Germany to receive more medical attention. My loader had burns on his hands; my gunner had burns on his hands and face. I had 1st and 2nd degree burns on 23% of my body that included my entire head and face," said Tapio, describing the extent of his and his fellow Marines injuries. "After spending three days in Germany we were flown to San Antonio to the Burn Center. Once there I had to get a skin graph, they took skin from the middle of my back and put it on my lower back and right arm. After two weeks in the ICU and a week in inpatient I was able to get out of the hospital."

These injuries are what led to Tapio being presented with the Purple Heart. A month and a half after sustaining his burns the Commandant of the Marine Corps and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps at Fort Sam Houston Texas presented him with a Purple Heart.

"The Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) and Sergeant Major come down to the Marine Corps Detachment to visit all the wounded Marines that are there. San Antonio has the best Burn Center in the United States and also a center for amputees," said Tapio. "There are over 50 Marines currently there receiving treatment for burns like mine and two Marines who have lost limbs. The CMC is the most senior person in the Marine Corps and no other service has their senior officer or enlisted come to visit their service members as much as they do."

Having been in the Marines for more than 16 years Tapio has accomplished a great deal so far. He became a Tank Master Gunner, which requires a three month long school that must be passed with at least 90% on every assignment. Only a small group of tankers ever reach this designation.

During his time in the Marines, Tapio was deployed four times; three to Iraq and once, his last deployment, to Afghanistan. Throughout his career as a Marine he has done nothing else but be a tanker. While inside a tank he has done almost every job, including being an instructor.

His road to becoming a Marine Tanker was not always crystal clear. In fact, he did not plan on becoming a Marine at all. Growing up in Pine Ridge, S.D., Tapio never envisioned himself as a Marine.

"After going to school for two years and still not knowing what I wanted to be when I grew up," Tapio decided to join the Marines. "I always wanted to see the world and move away from Pine Ridge. I then decided to join the military. I chose the Marine Corps because they were different, they were special."

Tapio's cousin, Louis "Piggy" Tapio served as a Marine tank commander in World War II and saw action on Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Another cousin, Nelson Tapio served with the U. S. Army in the Philippines during World War II and another cousin, Joe Tapio, received the Navy Cross for action in the South Pacific during World War II. It seems that serving their country runs in the family.

Now that he has been a Marine for years he has been able to travel and see the world, all while serving his country and his people. With Veteran's Day passing we should all remember what Tapio and his fellow soldiers sacrificed for all Americans to enjoy freedom.

© 2013 Native Sun News. Used with permission.