During
a ceremony at Camp Lejeune, NC on November 1, 2013,
Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus awarded four
Marines (assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines) for valor during combat
operations while deployed to Northern Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan on n
March 14, 2011.
Sgt.
Joshua Moore earned Navy Cross Medal, the nation's second
highest award (more information about Moore's heroic below video)
Sgt. Justin Tygart received the Bronze Star
with combat distinguishing device
Cpl. Ritchie Elias and Cpl. Gaven Eier received the Navy and Marine Corps
Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing device.
U.S. Marine Corps video by Staff Sgt. Steve Cushman
/ Edited by USA Patriotism! U.S. Navy photo by Mass
Communication Specialist 1st Class Arif Patani
Sgt.
Joshua Moore's Heroics When Sgt. Moore's scout
sniper element came under attack while occupying a compound north of Marjah. As Moore
and his fellow Marines were preparing to exit the compound
they came under attack and an insurgent threw two grenades
over the wall into their position. Without hesitation, Moore
picked up the closest grenade and threw it back out of the
compound before it exploded. Realizing seconds later that
the second grenade was not going to explode he charged out
of the compound to aid three Marines who were previously
wounded in the attack.
Though instantly taken under fire by enemy forces one
hundred meters away, Moore stood his ground, returning fire
with his M4 rifle and M203 grenade launcher. The effects of
his fire neutralized the enemy and forced them to abandon
their position, buying his team precious time to regroup and
aid their wounded. He then immediately took action to assist
in the scouting and securing of a landing zone to extract
wounded personnel.
Marines Awarded
