Marine Staff Sgt. Thomas Smythe Jr., who was born and raised in Wai'anae and graduated from Radford High, never told his family what he did on a recent deployment to Iraq to earn a Bronze Star with valor.

They all found out Tuesday, when the Yuma, Ariz.-based Marine received the award. Smythe also had one more surprise in store for his father, Thomas Sr., who flew to Arizona from Hawai'i for the presentation.

Smythe Jr., 27, an explosive ordnance disposal Marine with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, was cited for his quick thinking and bravery in the rescue of two wounded Marines in an Aug. 10, 2008, firefight in northern Iraq.

"A lot of stuff that I don't want to think about happened that day," Smythe said in the base newspaper. "But it helps to know that if I was in that same situation and needed help, the Marines I'm with would do the same for me."

Smythe's actions resulted in the death of a suicide bomber, according to the Marines. A Marine also was killed in the firefight.

Smythe was deployed from February to September of 2008.

During the deployment, he supervised more than 68 bomb-disposal emergency response missions.

Smythe Sr. was able to get a flight to Arizona at the last minute, but after making the reservation, found out the award was going to be on Tuesday, the day he had to return.

Smythe Jr. didn't want his dad to go through the hassle of changing his flight, but the senior Smythe insisted, and paid an extra $200 to make the change, family said.

When Smythe Sr. returned to Hawai'i, he discovered the Bronze Star in his suitcase — secretly placed there by his son.

"Every father wants their son to grow up to be better than them, and this award was a token of appreciation to his father because he always made Thomas strive above and beyond," said the Marine's wife, Bobbie.

After being home for six months from what was his second combat deployment, Smythe Jr. already has headed out on his third, this time to Afghanistan.

Another Bronze Star with valor will be awarded tomorrow. this time to Sgt. Justin Staley, a Schofield Barracks soldier who's still in Iraq.

The award will be made by video teleconference beamed back to Hawai'i.

On Jan. 30, while overseeing a barrier emplacement mission to secure Iraqi polling stations, an Iraqi fired an AK-47 at Staley and a soldier driving a forklift, wounding that soldier, according to the Army report.

Staley fired seven to 10 shots at the Iraqi, mortally wounding the gunman.

"Sgt. Staley's quick reaction in securing the site enabled him to quickly administer first aid and buddy carry his wounded soldier to the medical evacuation vehicle, ultimately saving the soldier's life," the Bronze Star narrative states.

Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com.