---
title: "Navy Chief, Recipient Of Five Good Conduct Medals, Decides To Forgo Sixth"
date: "2018-06-28"
modified: "2018-06-28"
authors:
  - name: "Paul Szoldra"
    job_title: "Editor"
    link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/paul-szoldra/"
url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-chief-punches-soccer-kid/"
categories:
  - "Military Branches"
  - "Navy"
  - "News"
---

# Navy Chief, Recipient Of Five Good Conduct Medals, Decides To Forgo Sixth

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/02/18989146-1.jpg>)

A U.S. Navy Chief who has received five Good Conduct Medals for his time in service has apparently decided to forgo his sixth.

While watching a sand soccer game in Virginia Beach earlier this month, Chief Engineman Jordan Lee Grinnell, 38, [allegedly jumped into the action](<https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2018/06/27/navy-chief-reportedly-beats-up-sons-opponent-at-youth-soccer-game/>) and repeatedly punched a 14-year-old kid in the face after the kid and Grinnell's son got into a scuffle over the ball.

The kid who got knocked to the ground needed four stitches, [according](<https://pilotonline.com/news/local/crime/article_f1e7bb56-70aa-11e8-8fd4-cb258b9773c0.html>) to the Virginian-Pilot, which featured a photo of the chief sitting on the steps in handcuffs wearing a plain turquoise shirt, perhaps since his 'World's Greatest Dad' shirt was in the wash.

The 17-year (and possibly last year) Navy vet was charged with misdemeanor assault, police told the Pilot.

Here's a dramatization of how it may have unfolded:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpxPstb2DAU

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/02/image-placeholder-title-36.jpg>)

## Author
Paul Szoldra was the Editor in Chief of Task & Purpose from October 2018 until August 2022. Since joining T&P, he has led a talented team of writers, editors, and creators who produce military journalism reaching millions of readers each month. He also founded and edits [Duffel Blog](<https://www.duffelblog.com/>), a popular satirical newsletter for the military. Before becoming a journalist in 2013, he served as a Marine infantryman in Afghanistan, Korea, and other areas of the Pacific. His eyes still go up every time a helicopter from Camp Pendleton flies over his office in Southern California.

### Author social links  
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