July 16th, 2015 — Chattanooga, TN. Serving as the Battery Gunnery Sergeant, Tommy had one final opportunity to lead from the front. When the attack began, he didn’t freeze. He didn’t run. He didn’t think about himself. He went into action for his Marines. He started leading them to safety — and when he realized his direction risked putting them into the gunman’s path, he changed course without hesitation. Tommy got 13 Marines and Sailors over a fence to safety before turning back toward danger to buy them more time. That was the moment he chose: their lives over his own. Tommy Sullivan was one of four Marines and one Sailor killed that day — but the number of lives he saved cannot be measured. That’s what a warrior does. That’s what a leader does. That’s why we honor him today. #HeroFriday #WeGoHome