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The
President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Navy Cross
To
Bradley
A. Kasal
First Sergeant, United States Marine Corps
For
Services as Set Forth in the Following
Citation:
For extraordinary heroism while
serving as First Sergeant, Weapons Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine
Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st 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
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