Marine’s HEROIC Act Earns Him Silver Star, Costs Him Everything

Mike Hanks and his sister Melissa grew up on a Michigan farm. Driven by patriotism, Mike enlisted in the United States Marines after high school. As Mike shipped off to serve, Melissa became his go to person, his trusted ear about things he needed to get off his chest - a terrorist attack in Kuwait, the invasion of Iraq, and impending battle that would ultimately claim his life in Fallujah on November 17, 2004.
In this Urban Valor episode, Gold Star sister Melissa honors her brother, Lance Corporal Michael W. Hanks. She shares his bravery that earned him the prestigious Silver Star medal:
Silver Star Citation: valor.military...
Through Melissa's words, we learn about Mike's strong courage as a Marine and the heavy cost he paid fighting for his country. His story reminds us of the debt we owe heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.
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[@brewted]

I Stood on the end of the San Clemente pier, climbed over the rail and dove into the ocean. When I swam up to the beach 2 lifeguards were standing there "please dont do that again". Their permissive demeanor perhaps came from seeing my Infantry Training t-shirt on the sand and knowing they couldn't really order me to do anything. Id like to think Hanks, a brother I never met, would have had fun ignoring those signs too. Gold and Silver Stars, you both earned more respect than I could convey with words. Always Faithful...

[@louismccomack9524]

Semper Fi devil dog

[@shawnmorgan7834]

I’m celebrating Mike Hanks day this year

[@melissaketchel9079]

YES!

[@1stGenRex]

“I made it a priority to do the things my brother couldn’t.” I think deep down, this is what everyone who’s served would want for their loved ones.

[@corbettknowles9942]

RIP CPl Hanks I was in falliujah when Cpl Hanks was kia I only had met Cpl Hanks once while deployed to Iraqi I delivered supplies to his unit hearing radio chatter the day he was killed had always stuck to me then I watched this video and her telling brother story just broke back memories of falliujah but with that said semper Fi

[@TheMrmoc7]

Even from a young age, with very little parental supervision, kid knew right from wrong. I don't know your brother, but it was hard to fight back tears hearing about him. I only hope that I can raise my son to be at least half the man he was.

[@Mosey410]

✊what an awesome sister any brother would be proud. glad she has found some more brothers to take care of. Bad Ass 🍀

[@paulprigge1209]

Definition of a hero those who do not come home on duty. . Thanks for sharing God bless

[@BrianC0351]

Great hearing it from the other side and told in such a beautiful way. So sorry for your loss.You're doing amazing work for the veteran community while keeping your brother's spirit alive. RIP Brother. Semper Fi

[@inarp]

Thank you and your family for the sacrifice. He was a true warrior. Keep his memory alive.

[@garyvandegriek6015]

May you’re brother rest in peace and he never be forgotten ❤ this hits hard I’m a 911 responder and I appreciate you’re brother sister ❤

[@threatresponse685]

A family bond many wish they had! Great interview, Melissa!

[@GrayHat0621]

RIP brother. Michigan, Port Huron Native. Sending prayers

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

I watch these videos to respect the memory of the heroes who serve. I don’t know why, but this story hits me harder than a lot of others. I think it’s because of her alliteration of the details surrounding everything and my own experience with my father dying and being informed by a first sergeant. It’s difficult to describe how… disconnected? Hazy? I don’t even know the right words for when you get that announcement. Imagine tunnel vision but then disconnect your brain from your body because they don’t seem to communicate well for about 20 seconds. That’s when I collapsed. I watched it happen and couldn’t do anything. I’m glad that everyone got closure; that’s more than a lot of people get.

[@TheGainfather]

The true cost of sacrifice. Your brother paid the ultimate sacrifice for us all. But thank you for the sacrifice you have to live with everyday that people don't see. I know words don't heal the pain of loss. But there's still a majority of us that won't forget the ones that we've lost. God bless and thank you for sharing your story.

[@rickebrite5409]

I cried listening to your story I lost my son to suicide the night he died I woke from sleeping and had a strange feeling went back to sleep but didn’t think anything after that until morning when sheriffs came to my house than my heart sank even though I didn’t know 100 what happened

[@melissaketchel9079]

Sending love to you and your family.

[@mark95b77]

I was prior service and out for many years when 9/11 occurred.. I was working as an iron worker and was a reserve police officer at the time. I went to the Army recruitment station in my town a fews after. I asked two questions, do you need guys with my MOS and what’s the housing allowance. Yes.. they needed folks with my MOS but the housing allowance wasn’t adequate at that time to meet the mortgage. . I’ve always regretted my decision not to go .. I am not special but I knew things that might have helped some of the new guys.. I have significant regrets to this day for not reenlisting.

[@jasonedward6993]

Don't regret it. You have to take care of yourself and family first. I know so many guys who are ashamed they didn't do more, which is crazy to hear from Corpsmen and 03's who lost limbs. Nothing was ever good enough for us; notice how all of us talk about how much better and deserving and rad our friends were? Yeah, there's people out there who think the same of you. 12/5

[@garyvandegriek6015]

I attempted to enlist in the marines was rejected for a hand tattoo then I tried the coast guard and it turned out I had cancer and couldn’t serve but I will always respect our soldiers that served overseas in combat deployment

[@jameslopez958]

Beautiful relationship you and your Brother Have 🙏❤️

[@dannycalder1638]

So powerful. You honored Him well

[@thebeachguy6697]

You have no idea how those phone calls to you helped. I have been in those situations countless times and hearing a trusting voice makes your day. I did 20 years in the Corps and retired 1995-2015 and believe me when I tell you that those phone calls made a huge difference

[@robertkelly5359]

bless your heart man this perspective from family members hits hard :[... Edit yea im ballin eyes out

[@robertkelly5359]

America's bread n butter God Bless

[@Lucho0335]

Thank you Mike my brother as well❤

[@Coppersaguaro]

Awesome sister. What a great sibling relationship. Enjoyed this one. 🇺🇸

[@fabiopaciucci3286]

Total respect lady may God bless u and ur love ones

[@drmarkintexas-400]

🎖️🏆🙏💪💙 Thank you for sharing this

[@xymoriintus]

Thank you for this story and your brother is a hero 🫡

[@UrbanValorTV]

Appreciate you watching

[@doctordetroit4339]

God bless LCPL Hanks and his family...... Semper Fi.

[@VeeinBerkeley]

So godamn sad 😞

[@stevestanley6130]

Semper Fi

[@UrbanValorTV]

SF brother 🤙🏼🇺🇸👊🏼

[@Williameagleblanket]

🇺🇸🦅🌎⚓️ Semper Fi.

[@Just.Call.Me.Shantae]

35:22 as a black person whose race pours alcohol out when ppl d*e, I’M WITH MIKE THAT SHYT IS SO GHETTOOOO i h@te it so bad 🤦🏽‍♀️ let’s not talk about the bottle wars in the club that’s a story for another day

[@GrayHat0621]

Melissa was it Marines from 1/24 Marines did the notification? I’m so sorry about your loss. SEMPER FI MARINE

[@melissaketchel9079]

I am actually not sure who notified our family, we were in Michigan and it was Lansing or Livingston County. I wish I could remember their names, the CAO was so amazing, and I would love to thank him for all he did for us during that difficult time.

[@williamwilson9283]

👍💯❤️

[@thomas82160]

Love u

[@stevetrevino9421]

bear hug

[@UrbanValorTV]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@shawnj2386]

Gonna be a awesome one first comment tho

[@sethb4637]

Wasn’t Hanks story told in the book No True Glory by Bing West? It’s been at least 15 years since I read that book so I’m not sure. I know I’ve heard of him. I’ve definitely heard about the attack she spoke about wasn’t it an Island near Kuwait? I had a Marine family member badly wounded in Afghanistan when she started talking about the notification it hit me hard. The Marines are truly special for many reasons but once our Marine was wounded and I saw these guys come from everywhere to support, idk a word to describe it. Beautiful, incredible, something I hadn’t seen from people since 9/11.🫡🇺🇸❤ P.s we rarely hear from the families who love and support these men and women. Obviously we don’t have the same experience but we’re affected as well. My whole childhood was affected by my father’s experiences in Vietnam as an 11b. Thank you for this interview! Please do more. It’s relatable and helpful for all the reasons.

[@melissaketchel9079]

A small part of his guys were told in that book. There is another Book by Patrick K O'Donnel We Were One. That tells about him and those he served with. And yes the Island is indeed near Kuwait, Falluka Island.

[@Just.Call.Me.Shantae]

35:22 as a black person whose race pours alcohol out when ppl d*e, I’M WITH MIKE THAT SHYT IS SO GHETTOOOO i h@te it so bad 🤦🏽‍♀️ let’s not talk about the bottle wars in the club that’s a story for another day