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Jonathan Eby

@ghost.1b

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Emeritus 🔥🛶
Head Boat Burner
#Ghost1B #Fury7 #Rage5

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Five years.

We all knew there was a threat. Every servicemember in HKIA knew there was a threat. We passed the warn-o, I gave a little talk and we went to the gate.

No complaints or hesitation. Our moment of silence was passed in solidarity as we rotated in, long before we ever lost anyone. I remember being so impressed with everyone, doing exactly what was needed on their own, had their role, did their job, and did it right.

No BoatBurner manned the walls for politicking, beliefs, or expectation. A lot of people don't understand that. You join for the ideas of country, honor, and security... but you stand and fight for your friends next to you alone.

40(~ish) minutes of sleep in the baking sun eating cigarettes instead of food and sharing bottles of water among a fire team will always be one of the happiest moments of my entire life. It wasn't easy, but it was fulfilling.

The saying that people are defined by their actions... I am not. The Marines and Sailors of Ghost1 define me.

I am forever the most blessed of leaders to have had such warriors. Everything I do now, whether I want to or not, is in their memory. To do right by them and theirs and us. Nothing else matters.

Burn the Boats means there is no way back. There is only forward, no matter how hard things get or what stands in your way. You keep going because no other option is the only option and every fight is someone's last stand when you get down to it.

🔥🛶 Cpl Lopez, Cpl Sanchez H, Cpl Page, HM3 Soviak (FMF), LCpl Espinoza, LCpl McCollum, LCpl Nikoui, LCpl Merola, LCpl Schmitz 🛶🔥

💜 SSgt Hoover, SSG Knauss, Sgt Rosario, Sgt Gee 💜

#Ghost1 #BurnTheBoats #Remember by @ghost.1b

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a month ago

🔥🛶🔥 #BurnTheBoats #Ghost1

Today I received the Bronze Star w/ Valor, awarded as upgrade to NAVCOM-C, for my role as Platoon Sergeant of Ghost1 at the Abbey Gate of HKIA, Afghanistan.

This has been an incredibly humbling moment for me. The award was boarded for NAVCOM-V and further upgraded to BSV by the CMC himself. Incredibly honored to think he saw an SOA about me and decided it wasn't enough.

A lot has happened in the past 5 years. Since I left 2/1 Ghost I have been promoted, executed orders, held billets and roles beyond my rank, retired, and am now in college.

Still, the infantry calls to me. Stepping back into Camp Lejeune, visiting AITB-E, seeing old friends and being around Marines feels like I never left. Even after a year it still feels right and where I belong.

Grateful beyond words to have SgtMaj Lomeli and Maj Ball on hand to present this and all my close friends [read: family] who were able to make it. I can't not mention my PC, Captain Farmer, and what he did to make it.

Most importantly: for V21, for Camp Horno, for Ghost Company, and for the BoatBurners of 1st Platoon at the Abbey Gate. There is no better unit to have ever blessed this organization.

Lastly, I don't express it enough, because I don't feel like its my story to tell, but it is not lost on me the countless other sacrifices made in the weeks of HKIA. Our losses may be more catastrophic in totality, but I hope they never take away from the impact that place had on anyone else that was there. Even we, who lost our friends and brothers, fall into the trap of downplaying our emotions because we're lucky enough to still be alive, thinking that's enough.

In some ways it is, but it doesn't make it easy... and we're no different from anyone else who was there in the grand scheme of it all.

Thank you again for this incredible honor, I dedicate it fully to the BoatBurners of Ghost1, to Ghost Company, to V21, and to all the people of HKIA and the millions of supportive Americans who honored us.

Thank you 🔥🛶🔥 by @ghost.1b

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4 months ago

#Ghost1 🔥🛶🔥

Today at Annapolis was the delivery of the Purple Heart to myself and Maj Geoff Ball, Ghost 6, presented by Major General [Select] Sullivan and LtCol Naughton at the Naval Academy. It was an honor to be considered deserving and twice the honor of that to stand with Maj Ball while it was given. He carries us all still, and I would follow him off a cliff if he asked.

🖤🔥🛶🔥💜

There's no real words to express the significance of this presentation.

I recall sitting down with Ghost1 Marines (not our Sailors, they deserve more than they will ever get, unfortunately), and working through each rebuttal as to why they felt undeserving.

Most notably, the successes were overshadowed largely by what we all saw as failure. We did not all come home. Someone had it worse. Why did we deserve praise when our ranks were filled with empty spots? They didn't see themselves as special or warranted because while the job got done it wasn't as bad for anyone who sat on the plane ride home and walked their weapon to the armory before going to their family.

Explaining to them that such honorable recognition isn't about a sense of self but rather recognizing that there is no metric but did or did not. There just is. There is no way of comparing the actions of Cpl Wilson or HM3 Hollingsworth to any other, just as there's no way to compare a CAR to any other. They still happened... sometimes I see the good in that, and sometimes I do not.

I get those talks, too. I've gotten plenty lately, and if I know my support system, I'll be due for more. Maybe I typed this all for me. Who knows?

There is still more being looked at to rectify untimely factors that were at play following our return home and continue on even three years later. The hope is more to come for more who deserve it still.

#Ghost1 #BurnTheBoats by @ghost.1b

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2 years ago

GySgt Jonathan Eby’s Medals and Ribbons

#usmc #marines #marinecorps #semperfi #military taken in MCRD San Diego Recruit Depot by @ghost.1b

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a month ago

Proud to have been considered worthy of recognition and twice as proud to have stood with my Marines while they were recognized.

What people see is their reality. They can take one look at you, standing in the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon getting a Bronze Star with Valor for saving multiple lives and treating your wounds in secret... and still decide you're not doing it right.

In my two decades of service, I completed six deployments. One year long extended 31st MEU, OIF, OEF, MRF-D, 15th MEU, and the SPMAGTF-CR CENTCOM which culminated in HKIA.

As a Marine SNCO like every other, I have been guilty of the "eat your own" mindset. I've spoken harshly of advanced school drops, quitters, shortcomings, and problem children. I've pushed for NJPs when some haven't and done my part in upholding standards and decisions I haven't always agreed with. When it all boils down, this is the way. Its just how we are.

In totality, its a performance based job. The issue we have as individuals is that performance is subjective to each of us. To some, its PFT scores and to others its JEPES marks or Fire Team attacks and schools. To some its appearance.

I'm proud to say that, when regulations were expected, we followed them beyond expectation. You can look at photos taken at HKIA and see Ghost1 entire with buttoned kevlars, full PPE, no rolled sleeves, weapon on the body. I was the one pushing that we can do it all, not that I needed to, because that had been the standard all along. Our way was always to try and be better, to do more when no one else would. When it mattered, truly mattered, we were doing the right thing. You can see the notes of our discipline highlighted by on-site commanders on my page from declassified statements days after Aug 26, 2021.

Thank you all for everyone's support. We are no less grateful for everyone's considerations of us.

🔥🛶 by @ghost.1b

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a month ago

My phone won't stop going off. I'm driving home to Georgia today and I've got like 15 homework assignments to make up so I wanted to express heartfelt gratitude in mass to everyone for their kindness and consideration.

If you know me personally, then you know what this ceremony meant for me.

There's no way I'll ever be able to return the kindness offered by so many. For that, I'll always be grateful. Thank you all. The award is just that... a representation of gratefulness in exchange for the burdens it offers.

What matters most to me is that it means so much to so many others. Every message I see, every post shared, every extension of outreach to remind me that my heroes, and those who were with us, are not forgotten. That means more than anything.

HKIA was an awful experience all around. Our brothers and sons loss highlight the extent of that, but so many other things happened there too... it was rough enough before August 26, 2021... keep that in mind for everyone who was there.

Eternally grateful for Colonel Armstrong and Major Mellon from V26 showing up. For @usmcsgtmaj and the @usmc_commandant , for my Ghost1 group chat fanboys, and all my friends and the many who reached out in gratitude. It is double back at you. I promise.

Major Ball, Company Commander of Ghost Co, V21... you are my hero and deserving of every respect for all you've done.

Thank you, @secwar for your continued efforts in the memory of HKIA. by @ghost.1b

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a month ago

08.26.2021

To the boys of Ghost1 and all others who held the line: we won’t forget. Thank you for giving your last full measure of devotion.

You are the best of us.

Sgt. Nicole Gee, 23, of Roseville, California.

Sgt. Johanny Rosario, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts.

LCpl. Rylee McCollum, 20, Jackson, Wyoming.

LCpl. Jared Schmitz, 20, of Wentzville, Missouri.

LCpl. David Espinoza, 20, of Laredo, Texas.

HM3 Max Soviak, of Berlin Heights, Ohio.

Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Riverside County, California.

Cpl. Daegan William-Tyeler Page, 23, of Red Oak, lowa.

LCpl. Kareem Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California.

SSG. Taylor Hoover, 31, of Midvale, Utah.

Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, 29, of Logansport, Indiana.

SSG. Ryan Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee.

LCpl. Dylan Merola, of Rancho Cucamonga, California.

#intothebreach #hkia

Cpl. Hunter Lopez (center w/ boy)(KIA)

Be thou at peace, Hunter.

LCpl. Dylan Merola (KIA)

Be thou at peace, Dylan.

LCpl. Jared Schmitz (left)(KIA)

Be thou at peace, Jared.

@ghost.1b

Ghost1 en route to HKIA.

@ghost.1b

LCpl. Rylee McCollum (KIA)

Be thou at peace, Rylee.

Cpl. Daegan William-Tyeler Page (second from left)(KIA)

Be thou at peace, Daegan.

LCpl. Kareem Nikoui (KIA)

Be thou at peace, Kareem.

@ghost.1b

@ghost.1b himself (right)

Two of the boys from Ghost1 WIA.

@ghost.1b

UAV view of our thirteen before the detonation.

@ghost.1b

What remained of Ghost1 leaving HKIA.

@ghost.1b

Always faithful.

@ghost.1b taken in Hamid Karzai International Airport by @ghost.1b

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a month ago

Most people who have heard our experiences have expressed solemness, sadness, regret, and bewilderment (minus five people).

Things have always been hard enough for what they were for us, the people who knew us, cared for us, and worked with us. Even people who just saw it all on TV or clips from an IG reel.

I am grateful, that if what happened to us HAD to happen... that it happened when it did.

The families, friends, and unit members of Lt Feehan, Sgt Swinton, Sgt Rampersad, and Pvt Gonzales are in my heart, as well as the 14 others no longer with us.

🔥🛶🔥 by @ghost.1b

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2 months ago

In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan;
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone;

Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow
In the bleak mid-winter,
Long ago.

🔥🛶🔥

Through memory, we are immortal.

They are all still with me. They always will be.

Burn the boats 🔥🛶 #Ghost1

CPL LOPEZ 🔥🛶
CPL SANCHEZ, H. 🔥🛶
CPL PAGE 🔥🛶
HM3 SOVIAK (FMF) 🔥🛶
LCPL ESPINOZA 🔥🛶
LCPL MEROLA 🔥🛶
LCPL SCHMITZ 🔥🛶
LCPL NIKOUI 🔥🛶
LCPL MCCOLLUM 🔥🛶

SSG KNAUSS 🖤
SSGT HOOVER 🖤
SGT GEE 🖤
SGT ROSARIO 🖤 by @ghost.1b

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a year ago

I left the Kabul Airport with 20 of my 42 Marines, most of those were walking wounded. There are more than 25 Purple Hearts and innumerable military awards for Impact ranging from NAM to Bronze Stars with Valor from the roster of Ghost1 alone.

In September of 2024, I attended the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony that added nine Congressional Gold Medals to that list. Recognition for the eight Marines and one FMF Corpsman who lost their lives as part of Ghost1 on the Abbey Gate, as well as the other four noble servicemembers who were on site with us.

It was a humbling moment that stood as a reminder that their loss was not forgotten and validated their honor for undergoing the harsh conditions and circumstances of HKIA.

Unfortunately, during this time @timkennedymma was [self-admittedly] lying for his own gain to increase his portfolio, falsely claiming ownership to awards such as the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, and states credit alleging the efforts of his 10 man team to having evacuated as many as 12,000~ people in 10 days (that would total 10% of ALL evacuees)... more than 1/3 the amount of a unit, supported by a Battalion(-) and through SPMAGTF-Crisis Response and MEU augments, at the amassed Abbey Gate over a 14 day period (33,000~).

While his numbers are unverified, what is clear is that he bypassed security policies and most methods of clearance, which led to potentially dangerous people being flown to numerous locations around the world. Additionally, his claims that the SVIED threat possibility was ignored, adding to ongoing homefront hysteria, are false.

Presently, he is set to receive the Congressional Gold Medal in 2025 based on misled facts he used to become popular and rich for his own gain.

In the past, Kennedy advocated against lying for personal fame. If he meant any of his apology and seeks redemption for having traded his honor for attention, then the most noble thing he could [should] do would be to deny the CGM. Immediately.

@repralphnorman , I ask that you reconsider your nomination on the basis of admitted Stolen Valor for self profit. Kennedy's nomination discredits the honor and dampens the impact bestowed on the 13. by @ghost.1b

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a year ago

#IAmTheBlacksmith 🔥🛶

7,360 full days an Infantry Marine.

Time is up. Its my final 24 hours on Active Duty... seems fitting that it should end in August.

I'm sharing this video to recognize the weight ordained on me this day. I will forever beacon the sacrifices made by others through my own actions in humility, discipline, and above all: honesty.

I didn't have a retirement ceremony... the idea of people gathering for me is not my thing... if you know me, you know that. Maj Ball once called me 'Pragmatic' and I count it among my most favored titles.

Because I didn't have a ceremony, I wanted to express my thanks to such well deserving leaders as LtCol Armstrong, LtCol Mattson, and SgtMaj Foley of V26. To MajGen Sullivan, Col Leing, and LtCol Naughton for the years following HKIA. The opportunity to express my love to V21 Ghost Company, CAAT Red, my Sqd from V14 and Cpl Wills. To Nagel, Doering, Behm, and Prentiss, my first Fire Team. From SOI, Hanagan and Edi who kept me moving, Val and Spargo who kept me real, and to SSgt Thompson of Fox, who I think of when I think of resiliency. Silbaugh and Wootton retain my everlasting respect. Lee, Ochs, and Wagner who kept me motivated at V26.

All of V26 Fury, who kept the infantry alive for me when I thought it would never mean as much to me as it once had. You proved me wrong (add a tic to your notebooks).

For profound impact on younger me: GySgt Torza from 3/1 India who was a prominent example of who I wanted to be and MSgt Juan, my IULC Sqd Inst, who modeled how I wanted to be an 0369.

To Ghost1, all of Ghost really... who stood by me at the hardest time of our lives.

Most of all though, I cannot emphasize the impact of Maj Ball, Ghost Company Commander, who defines exemplary to me, and 1stSgt Majszak, who has seen me through it all since I was Pvt.

My daughter, who guides everything I am, have done, and will do now.

42 others keep me upright every day. Nine of which I continue to honor and will never forget.

Cpl Lopez. Cpl Sanchez. Cpl Page. HM3 Soviak (FMF). LCpl Espinoza. LCpl McCollum. LCpl Nikoui. LCpl Merola. LCpl Schmitz.

Thanks for everything.

#BurnTheBoats
#Ghost1 #Fury7 #Rage5 by @ghost.1b

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a year ago

Growing up all I ever wanted to be was someone of notice. To be remembered for something... looking through gifts and items accrued over two decades reminds me of how important I was at times to someone at some point... it helps to make your time feel valued, especially when you're all done and you realize the "Bad times make good stories" days are over... but they were awesome.

With tomorrow being my last day of Terminal before EAS (which thankfully, I get to spend at DEERS, great send off 😤) this past month has been a big blur. Getting settled into a new place has been an interesting change. It can feel overwhelming at times knowing that the life I've built based on readiness and willingness to pack up and go is no longer a thought. It's a hard habit to break, but it's been a welcome one (mostly).

I spent the last 20 years thinking more time at work meant more chances to get ahead. I sacrificed time with people who mattered most to me while thinking it was the best way to care for them in the end. No one can ever say if it was right or not because the military's one major downside is it goes both ways. Your unit becomes another family... stuck in an ever titling balance of which family needs you most today.

Spending time with my daughter now, which before required travel, leave requests, or waiting for long weekends... I know the bois wouldn't have begrudged me a little more time at home. I'm grateful I have that now. It's made the switch into shaving every day to almost every day a bit easier.

I do miss it. I always will... I was meant to sleep outside. To talk about the benefits of terrain and my disregard of high port and disdain for goretex. To count rifles in the morning and to live hard times with people who wanted the same.

Tomorrow, I've got a big thank you message I've been working on for those I've worked with. With word limits on posts its been difficult trying to fit as much as possible without rambling on, which is a blessing in its way... its exciting to feel like I'm stepping into a new world, detached from the security that daily preparation of the possibility of war provides.

Wish me luck at DEERS tomorrow 🙏

🔥🛶🖤 by @ghost.1b

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a year ago