The Marine Corps family lost one of its own when veteran Steven M. Lipscomb, who had survived a roadside bomb while serving in Iraq, was killed trying to save a crew of coal miners in West Virginia.
An Act of Bravery
The accident occurred on Nov. 8 at the Rolling Thunder Mine in Nicholas County. According to the Department of War, the incident happened while miners were conducting routine work at the mine. Suddenly, a large amount of water rushed into the shaft, trapping crew members inside. Lipscomb, managing the crew, jumped in to rescue his workers and was last seen trying to lead them to safety. While all other miners were able to escape with their lives, Lipscomb didn’t make it out.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said a search and rescue team spent five days looking for Lipscomb to no avail. Upon confirmation that the veteran had died, Morrisey ordered the state’s flags to fly at half-staff to honor the fallen Marine.
“All of West Virginia mourns the loss of this courageous man," Morrisey said in a Nov. 14 proclamation. "He spent his final moments ensuring his men could escape to safety.”
Lipscomb embraced the Marine Corps credo of “no man left behind” until his final moments.
“Lipscomb, the foreman, stood his ground until every member of his crew was evacuated,” Morrisey said. “The water filled the shaft, making escape impossible. For five days, crews worked around the clock to rescue Lipscomb, but sadly, he did not survive,” Morrisey said.
He went on to say, “Our coal miners represent some of the most courageous among us, and Steve was a testament to that.”
Injured in Iraq
In the military, Lipscomb made it through the First Battle of Fallujah in April 2004 unscathed, only to be wounded a week later when a Humvee he was in struck a roadside bomb, according to his obituary.
His wife Heather Lipscomb said he received a medical discharge from the Marine Corps as a lamce corporal in the spring of 2005 due to severe injuries suffered from the blast. The couple married soon after he returned home to West Virginia and they celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary earlier this year.
Following news of his tragic death, praise for Lipscomb’s final act of heroism spread throughout the military.
“Retired Marine Steve Lipscomb represents the best of our American military and embodies the hero spirit,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said in a statement. “This Purple Heart recipient and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran protected his nation and community until the very last day.”
Hegseth said Lipscomb’s sacrifice should serve as a model for others.
“Steve’s life will forever be an example of service and sacrifice for myself and for all who serve. My prayers remain with the Lipscomb family; your father, husband and son will never be forgotten,” he said.
Vice President JD Vance, who served as a Marine from 2003-2007, called Lipscomb a “great American.”
“Semper Fi, Steve,” Vance posted on social media.
Semper Fi or Semper Fidelis is a Latin term meaning “Always Faithful,” which became the Marine Corps motto.
Call to Serve After 9/11
Following the footsteps of many Americans, Lipscomb viewed the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as a call to action.
He signed up for the Marine Corps and was assigned to the infantry in 2002 where he became a rifleman.
His wife Heather said his Marine training prepared him to face dire situations, always striving for a way to succeed. On Nov. 8, while he was able to save his entire crew, it cost him his life.
“I think Steven was a very selfless person,” she said. “He had 17 men on his crew in the coal mines. He was more worried about everybody else getting out and getting to safety, more than he was concerned about himself.”
With his military career wrapped up, Lipscomb joined his brother, Joseph, in the coal mines in 2006. Certainly not an easy job, but steeled from his time in the Marines, Lipscomb performed well, earning a promotion to foreman in 2015.
“Steve built a distinguished career and earned the deep respect of his fellow miners,” his obituary states.
Along with his Purple Heart, Lipscomb earned a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal and several other honors.
Lipscomb, who would have celebrated his 43rd birthday on Nov. 28, leaves behind his wife and two teenage daughters, 13 and 17.
A funeral service will be held Nov. 22 in Lipscomb’s hometown of Elkview, West Virginia.
