U.S. President George W. Bush on Friday dedicated the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantio, Virginia, and said he would present the Medal of Honor to a Marine who was killed in Iraq when he tried to save fellow soldiers.

The opening of the Marine museum, the most modern military museum in the United States, coincided with the 231st birthday of the U.S. Marine Corpse, which traced its founding to a Philadelphia tavern in 1775.

The museum was shaped in the form of the famous photograph of the flag-raising by U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima during World War II. The picture was taken by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal.

"Iwo Jima is one of the most important battles in American history. It is fitting that Iwo Jima is one of the most important exhibits in this museum," Bush said.

The museum was the centerpiece of the Marine Corps Heritage Center, which would include a memorial park, parade grounds and other facilities.

Bush said he would present the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military's highest decoration for valor, posthumously to Corporal Jason Dunham of New York, who was killed in Iraq on April 22 last year when he jumped on a grenade to protect fellow Marines.

"You might say that he was born to be a Marine," Bush said of Dunham, who was born on Nov. 10 25 years ago.

Since taking office in 2001, Bush has awarded six Medals of Honor, established by Congress, to U.S. troops, one of whom fought in World War II, one in Korea, three in Vietnam and one in Iraq.

Source: Xinhua