Two Marines Awarded Medals for Heroic Response to North Carolina Nightclub Shooting
On June 6, 2026, a fatal shooting occurred at Unhinged Nightclub in Wilmington, North Carolina. Two U.S. Marines, Cpl. Johnny Tamayo and Cpl. Emily Martinez, recently returned from deployment, provided emergency medical aid to a victim with a neck wound. Despite their efforts, the victim died. Both were later awarded Navy and Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement Medals for their heroic actions, which they credited to their military training.
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Marines recognized for response during North Carolina nightclub shooting
Two U.S. Marines, Cpl. Johnny Tamayo and Cpl. Emily Martinez, were recognized with Navy and Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement Medals for their response to a fatal nightclub shooting in Wilmington, North Carolina, on June 6. The Marines, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, had recently returned from a 10-month deployment. Tamayo, who was upstairs when gunfire erupted, ran to aid a victim with a gunshot wound to the neck, using towels to control bleeding. Martinez, initially outside, re-entered the club fearing Tamayo was injured and joined him in providing emergency aid until police arrived. The victim later died. Both Marines credited their training for their instinctive actions. Master Sgt. James Boles praised their conduct as exemplary of Marine standards.
Marine Corps TimesTwo Marines Recognized for Heroic Response in North Carolina Nightclub Shooting
Two U.S. Marines, Cpl. Johnny Tamayo and Cpl. Emily Martinez, were awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Achievement Medal respectively for their actions during a fatal nightclub shooting in Wilmington, North Carolina, on June 6, 2026. The Marines, recently returned from a 10-month deployment, were at Unhinged Nightclub when gunfire erupted. Tamayo, who was upstairs, ran to aid a victim with a severe neck wound, using towels to control bleeding. Martinez, initially outside, re-entered the club to assist Tamayo. Despite their efforts, the victim died from injuries. Both Marines credited their training for their instinctive response. Master Sgt. James Boles praised their conduct as exemplary of Marine standards.
Military TimesMarines recognized for response during North Carolina nightclub shooting
Two U.S. Marines, Cpl. Johnny Tamayo and Cpl. Emily Martinez, were recognized with Navy and Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement Medals for their emergency response during a fatal nightclub shooting in Wilmington, North Carolina, on June 6. The Marines, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, had recently returned from a 10-month deployment. Tamayo, who was upstairs when gunfire erupted, ran to aid a victim with a gunshot wound to the neck, using towels to control bleeding. Martinez, initially outside, re-entered the club fearing Tamayo was injured and joined him in providing aid until police arrived. The victim later died. Both Marines credited their training for their instinctive actions, with Master Sgt. James Boles praising their conduct as exemplary of Marine standards.
Marine Corps TimesTwo Marines Recognized for Heroic Response in North Carolina Nightclub Shooting
Two U.S. Marines, Cpl. Johnny Tamayo and Cpl. Emily Martinez, were awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, respectively, for their actions during a fatal nightclub shooting in Wilmington, North Carolina, on June 6. The Marines, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, had recently returned from a 10-month deployment. Tamayo, who was upstairs when gunfire erupted, ran to aid a victim with a severe neck wound, using towels to control bleeding. Martinez, initially outside, re-entered the club to assist Tamayo. Despite their efforts, the victim later died. Both Marines credited their training for their instinctive response. Master Sgt. James Boles praised their conduct as exemplary of Marine Corps values.
Military TimesMarines recognized for response during North Carolina nightclub shooting
Two U.S. Marines, Cpl. Johnny Tamayo and Cpl. Emily Martinez, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, were recognized with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, respectively, for their heroic response during a fatal nightclub shooting in Wilmington, North Carolina, on June 6. The Marines had recently returned from a 10-month deployment and were at Unhinged Nightclub when gunfire erupted. Tamayo, who was upstairs, ran to aid a victim with a gunshot wound to the neck, using towels to control bleeding, while Martinez re-entered the building to assist after realizing Tamayo had not evacuated. Despite their efforts, the victim died from injuries. Both Marines credited their military training for their instinctive actions, with Master Sgt. James Boles praising their conduct as exemplary of Marine standards.
Marine Corps Times