*ADLESPERGER,
CHRISTOPHER S. (KIA)
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy
Cross (Posthumously) to Christopher S. Adlesperger, Private First
Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a
Rifleman, Company K, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, Regimental Combat
Team 1, FIRST Marine Division in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on
10 November 2004. As Private First Class Adlesperger made entry into a
house in the Jolan District of A1 Fallujah, during Operation AL FAJR,
his squad received a heavy volume of enemy machinegun fire from a
well-prepared entrenched machine gun position. These fires instantly
killed the point man, and injured another Marine and the platoon
corpsman. Exposed to heavy enemy machine gun fire and grenades,
Private First Class Adlesperger immediately attacked the enemy with
rifle fire. While doing so, he suffered a fragmentation wound from
enemy grenades. With the majority of his platoon pinned down by
insurgent positions, Private First Class Adlesperger single--handedly
cleared stairs and a roof top to move the injured to a rooftop where
they could receive medical attention. On his own initiative, while
deliberately exposing himself to heavy enemy fire, he established a
series of firing positions and attacked the enemy, forcing them to be
destroyed in place or to move into an area where adjacent forces could
engage them. Disregarding his own wounds and physical exhaustion,
Private First Class Adlesperger rejoined his platoon and demanded to
take the point for a final assault on the same machine gun position.
Once an Assault Amphibian Vehicle created a breach in the wall
adjacent to the enemy's position, Private First Class Adlesperger was
the first Marine to re-enter the courtyard where he eliminated a
remaining insurgent at close range. When the fighting finally ceased,
a significant number of insurgents from fortified positions had been
eradicated. Through his actions, Private First Class Adlesperger
destroyed the last strongpoint in the Jolan District of A1 Fallujah,
and saved the lives of his fellow Marines. By his outstanding display
of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy
fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Private First Class Adlesperger
reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions
of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Personal Awards: Silver Star (War on Terrorism), Purple Heart
CHONTOSH,
BRIAN R.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Brian R. Chontosh, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps,
for extraordinary heroism as Combined Anti-Armor Platoon Commander,
Weapons Company, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine
Division, First Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation
IRAQI FREEDOM on 25 March 2003. While leading his platoon north on
Highway I toward Ad Diwaniyah, First Lieutenant Chontosh's platoon
moved into a coordinated ambush of mortars, rocket propelled grenades,
and automatic weapons fire. With coalition tanks blocking the road
ahead, he realized his platoon was caught in a kill zone. He had his
driver move the vehicle through a breach along his flank, where he was
immediately taken under fire from an entrenched machine gun. Without
hesitation, First Lieutenant Chontosh ordered the driver to advance
directly at the enemy position enabling his .50 caliber machine gunner
to silence the enemy. He then directed his driver into the enemy
trench, where he exited his vehicle and began to clear the trench with
an M16A2 service rifle and 9 millimeter pistol. His ammunition
depleted, First Lieutenant Chontosh, with complete disregard for his
safety, twice picked up discarded enemy rifles and continued his
ferocious attack. When a Marine following him found an enemy rocket
propelled grenade launcher, First Lieutenant Chontosh used it to
destroy yet another group of enemy soldiers. When his audacious attack
ended, he had cleared over 200 meters of the enemy trench, killing
more than 20 enemy soldiers and wounding several others. By his
outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the
face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, First
Lieutenant Chontosh reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the
highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval
Service.
Home Town: Rochester, New York
*CLAIRDAY,
JASON S. (KIA)
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy
Cross (Posthumously) to Jason S. Clairday, Corporal, U.S. Marine
Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Fire Team Leader, 1st Squad, 2d
Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, Regimental Combat
Team 1, FIRST Marine Division, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 12
December 2004. While conducting a security sweep in the Askari
District of Al Fallujah, a platoon-sized insurgent force engaged 3d
Platoon. Corporal Clairday immediately repositioned his men and jumped
a four foot gap three stories up onto the roof of the enemy stronghold
where a mortally wounded Marine lay, isolated by the enemy. After
throwing several fragmentation grenades, Corporal Clairday fiercely
led the attack into the house. He was immediately hit with enemy AK-47
rifle fire in both legs and fell into the kill zone. Under heavy enemy
fire, he continued to aggressively engage the enemy while extracting
himself from the doorway. Without regard for his own wounds, he
rejoined the squad making entry and entered the house a second time.
Once inside, he took control of the stack and repositioned himself in
the front while suppressing the enemy using fragmentation grenades and
his rifle. Again, without concern for his own safety, Corporal
Clairday led the Marines into the room where he single-handedly
attacked the insurgents and received mortal wounds. His courageous
actions enabled reinforcing assault elements to destroy the insurgent
position. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited
courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty,
Corporal Clairday reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the
highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval
Service.
Born: at Salem, Arkansas
Home Town: Delta, Colorado
Personal Awards: Silver Star (War on Terrorism), Purple Heart
COPELAND,
WILLIE L., III
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Willie L. Copeland, III, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps,
for extraordinary heroism as Team Leader, 2d Platoon, Bravo Company,
First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, First Marine
Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command in
support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 7 April 2004. Tasked as the Main
Effort to lead a convoy to a Forward Operating Base, Sergeant
Copeland's platoon was ambushed by 40 - 60 insurgents in
well-fortified and concealed positions near the province of Al Anbar.
After observing a rocket-propelled grenade instantly crippling the
lead vehicle and having mortar and machinegun fire disable his own,
Sergeant Copeland led five Marines out of the heaviest zone under
attack and made an assault across an open field. They continued the
assault across a deep and muddy canal, working their way up to firing
positions on the far side within hand grenade range of the enemy. The
vigor of this first assault eliminated ten insurgents at close range
while forcing other enemy positions to flee. During this valiant
effort, his commanding officer fell wounded at his side. Unwilling to
subject any more Marines to danger, he signaled others to remain in
covered positions. While placing himself in a position to shield his
wounded officer, he applied first aid. Without regard for his own
personal safety, Sergeant Copeland stabilized, then evacuated his
Captain to a safe area. He then conducted the withdrawal of his team
from their covered positions through the use of hand grenades. By his
bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty,
Sergeant Copeland reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the
highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval
Service.
Born: at Logan, Utah
Home Town: Smithfield, Utah
CORBIN,
TODD
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Todd Corbin, Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for
extraordinary heroism as Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement Driver,
Weapons Company, Third Battalion, 25th Marines, Regimental Combat Team
2, 2d Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in
support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in Hadithah, Iraq. On 7 May 2005,
enemy forces ambushed Lance Corporal Corbin's platoon using a suicide
vehicle borne improvised explosive device, rocket-propelled grenades,
and machine guns. Instantly, three of the four vehicles were severely
damaged and eleven of sixteen Marines suffered casualties. Lance
Corporal Corbin immediately repositioned his truck directly between
the enemy and many of the wounded. He radioed the situation to the
battalion and leapt into the enemy fire, directing Marines to engage
and marking targets. He ran to his fallen patrol leader, threw him
onto his shoulder and carried him to safety while firing at the enemy
with his off-hand. He re-crossed the kill zone, made his way to his
fallen corpsman, bound his wounds and began carrying him. As he began
to move, the enemy engaged at close range and Lance Corporal Corbin
threw himself on a wounded Marine and shielded him as friendly machine
gun fire suppressed the enemy. Organizing Marines to suppress and
repel the ambush, he then, on five occasions, ran through enemy fire,
recovered dead or wounded personnel, and returned them to his truck.
When the casualties were loaded onto his heavily damaged vehicle, he
activated its emergency systems and drove it out of the kill zone and
through the city to a battalion aid station five miles away. Due to
his heroism, no Marine lost his life after the initial attack. By his
outstanding display of decisive leadership, courage in the face of
heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Corbin
reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions
of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Sandusky, Ohio
ESQUIBEL, DOMINIC
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Dominic Esquibel, Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for
extraordinary heroism while serving as Scout Sniper, Company B, First
Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine
Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces,
Central, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on 25 November 2004.
After an enemy ambush on 3d Platoon nearby, Lance Corporal Esquibel
quickly moved to an overwatch position and spotted five wounded
Marines in a building courtyard. He courageously low-crawled close to
the enemy stronghold to gain intelligence and then ran through the
rooftops under intense enemy fire to relay the intelligence to the 3d
Platoon Commander. With total disregard for his own safety, he
re-occupied his position and threw a grenade, destroying several enemy
insurgents and silencing one of the enemy's machine guns. After
eliminating part of the threat, he low-crawled to another area and
dropped a grenade through a hole in the roof, eliminating several more
enemy personnel and silencing another enemy machine gun. As a tank
breached the courtyard wall, 3d Platoon began suppressing the target
building. He seized this opportunity and quickly moved to the
courtyard while under enemy machine gun fire, dragging out a wounded
Marine. He re-entered the courtyard to retrieve a second wounded
Marine. Still under enemy fire, he moved through the open area a third
time, extinguished a fire that had mortally wounded the third
casualty, and swiftly carried out his body. Due to his heroic efforts,
two Marines survived the devastating enemy ambush. By his outstanding
display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy
enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Esquibel
reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions
of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: New Mexico
KASAL,
BRADLEY A.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Bradley A. Kasal, First Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for
extraordinary heroism while serving as First Sergeant, Weapons
Company, Third Battalion, First Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat
Team 1, FIRST Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S.
Marine Corps Forces Central Command in support of Operation IRAQI
FREEDOM on 13 November 2004. First Sergeant Kasal was assisting 1st
Section, Combined Anti-Armor Platoon as they provided a traveling over
watch for 3d Platoon when he heard a large volume of fire erupt to his
immediate front, shortly followed by Marines rapidly exiting a
structure. When First Sergeant Kasal learned that Marines were pinned
down inside the house by an unknown number of enemy personnel, he
joined a squad making entry to clear the structure and rescue the
Marines inside. He made entry into the first room, immediately
encountering and eliminating an enemy insurgent, as he spotted a
wounded Marine in the next room. While moving towards the wounded
Marine, First Sergeant Kasal and another Marine came under heavy rifle
fire from an elevated enemy firing position and were both severely
wounded in the legs, immobilizing them. When insurgents threw grenades
in an attempt to eliminate the wounded Marines, he rolled on top of
his fellow Marine and absorbed the shrapnel with his own body. When
First Sergeant Kasal was offered medical attention and extraction, he
refused until the other Marines were given medical attention. Although
severely wounded himself, he shouted encouragement to his fellow
Marines as they continued to clear the structure. By his bold
leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, First
Sergeant Kasal reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the
highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval
Service.
Home Town: Afton, Iowa
Personal Awards: Silver Star (War on Terrorism), Purple Heart
KRAFT,
JARRETT A.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Jarrett A. Kraft, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for
extraordinary heroism while serving as Squad Leader, 81-millimeter
Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, Third Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment,
Regimental Combat Team 1, FIRST Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central, in support of
Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 23 December 2004. As numerically superior
insurgent forces attacked Sergeant Kraft and the Marines in Al
Fallujah, Iraq, he quickly organized and fearlessly led three assault
forces on three separate attacks to repel the insurgents and ensure
the successful advance of the battalion. With complete disregard for
his own life, he placed himself between intense enemy fire and the men
during each attack providing suppressive fire and leadership to
sustain the fight and eliminate the enemy. Although grenades thrown by
the insurgents rendered him momentarily unconscious during one
assault, this did not dampen his spirit or determination. Undeterred,
Sergeant Kraft continued to lead from the front, despite being wounded
himself. On two more occasions, he was knocked down stairwells by
enemy grenade blasts and finally while emplacing a sniper in a
critical location, Sergeant Kraft was knocked down by the blast from a
friendly M1A1 tank main gun. He demonstrated courageous leadership
with a complete disregard for his own safety, during this desperate
two-hour battle as he personally braved multiple enemy small arms kill
zones to render assistance and guidance to his Marines. By his
outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the
face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Sergeant Kraft
reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions
of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Fresno, California
LEHEW,
JUSTIN D.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Justin D. LeHew, Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps,
for extraordinary heroism as Amphibious Assault Platoon Sergeant,
Company A, First Battalion, Second Marines, Task Force Tarawa, First
Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 23
and 24 March 2003. As Regimental Combat Team 2 attacked north towards
An Nasiriyah, Iraq, lead elements of the Battalion came under heavy
enemy fire. When the beleaguered United States Army 507th Maintenance
Company convoy was spotted in the distance, Gunnery Sergeant LeHew and
his crew were dispatched to rescue the soldiers. Under constant enemy
fire, he led the rescue team to the soldiers. With total disregard for
his own welfare, he assisted the evacuation effort of four soldiers,
two of whom were critically wounded. While still receiving enemy fire,
he climbed back into his vehicle and immediately began suppressing
enemy infantry. During the subsequent company attack on the eastern
bridge over the Euphrates River, Gunnery Sergeant LeHew continuously
exposed himself to withering enemy fire during the three-hour urban
firefight. His courageous battlefield presence inspired his Marines to
fight a determined foe and allowed him to position his platoon's heavy
machine guns to repel numerous waves of attackers. In the midst of the
battle, an Amphibious Assault Vehicle was destroyed, killing or
wounding all its occupants. Gunnery Sergeant LeHew immediately moved
to recover the nine Marines. He again exposed himself to a barrage of
fire as he worked for nearly an hour recovering casualties from the
wreckage. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited
courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty,
Gunnery Sergeant LeHew reflected great credit upon himself and upheld
the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval
Service.
Home Town: Temecula, California
MARTINEZ,
MARCO A.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Marco A. Martinez, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for
extraordinary heroism while serving as 1st Fire Team Leader, 2d Squad,
1st Platoon, Company G, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine
Division, First Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation
IRAQI FREEDOM on 12 April 2003. Responding to a call to reinforce his
Platoon that was ambushed, Corporal Martinez effectively deployed his
team under fire in supporting positions for a squad assault. After his
squad leader was wounded, he took control and led the assault through
a tree line where the ambush originated. As his squad advanced to
secure successive enemy positions, it received sustained small arms
fire from a nearby building. Enduring intense enemy fire and without
regard for his own personal safety, Corporal Martinez launched a
captured enemy rocket propelled grenade into the building temporarily
silencing the enemy and allowing a wounded Marine to be evacuated and
receive medical treatment. After receiving additional fire, he
single-handedly assaulted the building and killed four enemy soldiers
with a grenade and his rifle. By his outstanding display of decisive
leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and
utmost devotion to duty, Corporal Martinez reflected great credit upon
himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the
United States Naval Service.
Born: at Las Cruces, New Mexico
Home Town: Las Cruces, New Mexico
McDADE,
AUBREY L., JR.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Aubrey L. McDade, Jr., Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for
extraordinary heroism while serving as Machine Gun Squad Leader
attached to 1st Platoon, Company B, First Battalion, Eighth Marines,
Regimental Combat Team &, FIRST Marine Division, in support of
Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 11 November 2004. Shortly after departing a
platoon firm base and proceeding south toward Phase Line Grace, 1st
Platoon entered an alley and encountered an immediate heavy volume of
small arms and machine gun fire. In the opening seconds of the
engagement, three Marines were seriously wounded as the well
positioned and expecting enemy pinned others down. On contact,
Sergeant McDade rushed from the rear of the platoon column toward the
kill zone and immediately deployed a machine gun team into the alley
to provide suppressive fire on the enemy. After several attempts to
reach casualties in the alley were met with heavy, well-aimed machine
gun fire, he showed total disregard for his own safety by moving
across the alley and successfully extracting the first of three
wounded Marines from the kill zone. Aware of the fact that there were
still two wounded Marines in the alley, Sergeant McDade dashed through
the heart of the kill zone two more times, each time braving intense
enemy fire to successfully retrieve a Marine. After extracting the
last casualty from the kill zone, he assisted in the treatment and
medical evacuation to these Marines. His quick thinking and aggressive
actions were crucial in saving the lives of two of the three
casualties. Sergeant McDade's undaunted courage, fighting spirit and
total devotion to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in
keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the
United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Houston, Texas
MITCHELL,
ROBERT J., JR.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Robert J. Mitchell, Jr., Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps,
for extraordinary heroism while serving as Squad Leader, Company K,
Third Battalion, First Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st
Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps
Forces, Central, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 13 November
2004. During a ferocious firefight with six insurgents fighting inside
a heavily fortified house, Corporal Mitchell courageously attacked the
enemy strongpoint to rescue five wounded Marines trapped inside the
house. Locating the enemy positions and completely disregarding his
own safety, he gallantly charged through enemy AK-47 fire and hand
grenades, in order to assist a critically wounded Marine in an
isolated room. Ignoring his own wounds, he began the immediate first
aid treatment of the Marine's severely wounded leg. Assessing that the
Marine needed immediate intravenous fluids to survive, he suppressed
the enemy, enabling a Corpsman to cross the impact zone. Once the
Corpsman arrived, he moved to the next room to assist other
casualties. While running across the impact zone a second time, he was
hit in the left leg with a ricochet off of his weapon and with grenade
shrapnel to the legs and face. While applying first aid, he noticed a
wounded insurgent reach for his weapon. With his rifle inoperable, he
drew his combat knife, stabbed the insurgent, and eliminated him
instantly. Demonstrating great presence of mind, he then coordinated
the casualties' evacuation. Limping from his own wounds, Corporal
Mitchell assisted in the evacuation of the last casualty through the
impact zone under enemy fire, ultimately saving the lives of multiple
Marines. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete
dedication to duty, Corporal Mitchell reflected great credit upon
himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the
United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Oakland, Iowa
Personal Awards: Silver Star (War on Terrorism), 2@ Purple Hearts
MONTOYA,
SCOTT C.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Scott C. Montoya, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for
extraordinary heroism while serving as a Scout Sniper, Scout Sniper
Platoon, Second Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines, FIRST Marine
Division, First Marine Expeditionary Force, in Support of Operation
IRAQI FREEDOM on 8 April 2003. During the battle for Baghdad, Sergeant
Montoya's sniper team arrived within Company F's position as they came
under heavy small arms fire from a determined enemy force. He
immediately encouraged Marines to deploy and return fire. Noticing a
disabled civilian vehicle on the road in the line of fire and with
complete disregard for his own life, he rushed forward amidst a hail
of gunfire and dragged a wounded Iraqi civilian to safety. Returning
to the front, he spotted a wounded Marine struggling to get off the
same fire swept street, he risked his life to lead the Marine to
safety. Returning to the front, he spotted a wounded Marine lying in
the street. Ignoring the hailstorm of bullets, Sergeant Montoya rushed
into the street for a third time to carry the injured Marine to
safety. Sergeant Montoya returned a fourth time to evacuate an
unconscious Marine. Returning to the front again, he dashed into the
contested street and assisted a Marine to safety who had been dazed by
an explosion. Sergeant Montoya ensured medical attention was
administered and verified that evacuations were ongoing. By his
outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the
face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Sergeant
Montoya reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest
traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Montclair, California
*MOREL,
BRENT (KIA)
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy
Cross (Posthumously) to Brent Morel, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for
extraordinary heroism as Platoon Commander, 2d Platoon, Company B,
First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, First Marine
Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command, in
support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 7 April 2004. Captain Morel's
platoon escorted a convoy into the Al Anbar Province when 40 to 60
insurgents in well-fortified and concealed positions initiated an
ambush. Witnessing a rocket-propelled grenade crippling his lead
vehicle and while mortar and machine gun fire erupted, he ordered his
remaining two vehicles to secure a flanking position. Captain Morel
left his vehicle and led a determined assault across an open field and
up a 10-foot berm, in order to maneuver into firing positions. The
boldness of this first assault eliminated several insurgents at close
range forcing their retreat. Observing his Marines pinned down from
enemy fire, Captain Morel left the safety of his position and
continued the assault, eliminating the enemy's attack. During this
valiant act, he fell mortally wounded by a withering burst of enemy
automatic weapons fire. By his outstanding display of decisive
leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and
utmost devotion to duty, Captain Morel reflected great credit upon
himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the
United States Naval Service.
Home Town: McKenzie, Tennessee
Personal Awards: Silver Star (War on Terrorism), Purple Heart
PEREZ,
JOSEPH B.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Joseph B. Perez, Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for
extraordinary heroism as Rifleman, Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth
Marines, FIRST Marine Division, First Marine Expeditionary Force, in
support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 4 April 2003. While clearing
near Route 6 during the advance into Baghdad, 1st Platoon came under
intense enemy fire. As the point man for the lead squad and the most
exposed member of the platoon, Lance Corporal Perez came under the
majority of these fires. Without hesitation, he continuously employed
his M16A4 rifle to destroy the enemy while calmly directing accurate
fires for his squad. He led the charge down a trench destroying the
enemy and while closing and under tremendous enemy fire, threw a
grenade into a trench that the enemy was occupying. While under a
heavy volume of fire. Lance Corporal Perez fired an AT-4 rocket into a
machine gun bunker, completely destroying it and killing four enemy
personnel. His actions enabled the squad to maneuver safely to the
enemy position and seize it. In an effort to link up with 3d Platoon
on his platoon's left flank, Lance Corporal Perez continued to destroy
enemy combatants with precision rifle fire. As he worked his way to
the left, he was hit by enemy fire, sustaining gunshot wounds' to his
torso and shoulder. Despite being seriously injured, Lance Corporal
Perez directed the squad to take cover and gave the squad accurate
fire direction to the enemy that enabled the squad to reorganize and
destroy the enemy. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership,
unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion
to duty, Lance Corporal Perez reflected great credit upon himself and
upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United
States Naval Service.
Home Town: Houston, Texas
Personal Awards: Silver Star (War on Terrorism), Purple Heart
VIGGIANI,
ANTHONY LESTER
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Anthony Lester Viggiani, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps,
for extraordinary heroism in action against Anti-Coalition Force
Militia in Zabol Province, Afghanistan, serving as a squad leader for
Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team, First Battalion, Sixth
Marines, Twenty-Second Marine Expeditionary Unit, deployed with
commander, United States Fifth Fleet during Operation Enduring Freedom
3 June 2004. While leading a company assault against an enemy held
ridgeline north of the village of Khabargho, Sergeant Viggiani and his
squadron came under heavy and accurate fire from an enemy force well
entrenched inside a cave, pinning down one of his teams and wounding
two of his Marines. Moving across exposed ground, under observation
and fire from an adjacent enemy position, Sergeant Viggiani maneuvered
to the cave opening, but achieving no effect on the enemy. Braving
enemy fire from the adjacent enemy position, he went back to retrieve
a fragmentation grenade. Again, under a hail of fire, he moved to
within feet of the cave opening and employed the grenade to eliminate
the enemy position, which was actively firing upon friendly forces.
Killing three enemy fighters, Sergeant Viggiani destroyed the enemy
strongpoint and allowed his company to continue their advance up to
the ridgeline, solidly defeating the enemy by killing a total of
fourteen Anti-Coalition fighters. In the process, he was wounded by
rifle fire from the adjacent enemy position, yet he continued to lead
his Marines in the attack. By his outstanding display of decisive
leadership, unlimited courage in the face of enemy fire and utmost
dedication to duty, Sergeant Viggiani reflected great credit upon
himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the
United States Naval Service.
Born: at Strongsville, Ohio
Home Town: Strongsville, Ohio
Personal Awards: Silver Star (War on Terrorism), Purple Heart
WORKMAN,
JEREMIAH W.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Jeremiah W. Workman, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for
extraordinary heroism while serving as Squad Leader, Mortar Platoon,
Weapons Company, Third Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental
Combat Team 1, FIRST Marine Division, U.S. Marine Corps Forces,
Central Command in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 23 December
2004. During clearing operations in Al Fallujah, Iraq, Corporal
Workman displayed exceptional situational awareness while organizing
his squad to enter a building to retrieve isolated Marines inside.
Despite heavy resistance from enemy automatic weapons fire, and a
barrage of grenades, Corporal Workman fearlessly exposed himself and
laid down a base of fire that allowed the isolated Marines to escape.
Outside the house, he rallied the rescued Marines and directed fire
onto insurgent positions as he aided wounded Marines in a neighboring
yard. After seeing these Marines to safety, he led another assault
force into the building to eliminate insurgents and extract more
Marines. Corporal Workman again exposed himself to enemy fire while
providing cover fire for the team when an enemy grenade exploded
directly in front of him causing shrapnel wounds to his arms and legs.
Corporal Workman continued to provide intense fire long enough to
recover additional wounded Marines and extract them from the besieged
building. Although injured, he led a third assault into the building,
rallying his team one last time to extract isolated Marines before
M1A1 tanks arrived to support the battle. Throughout this fight,
Corporal Workman's heroic actions contributed to the elimination of 24
insurgents. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete
dedication to duty, Corporal Workman reflected great credit upon
himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the
United States Naval Service.
Born: August 26, 1983 at Marion, Ohio
Home Town: Richwood, Ohio
Personal Awards: Silver Star (War on Terrorism), Purple Heart
