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Las Cruces Marine receives Navy Cross
MarineLink ^
| May 3rd, 2004
| Cpl. Luis Agostini
Posted on 05/11/2004 1:22:38 PM PDT by A Simple Soldier
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton Story by: Name: Cpl. Luis R. Agostini Story Identification #: 200453192332
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(May 3, 2004) -- Marine Sgt. Marcos A. Martinez received the Navy Cross from the Secretary of the Navy, Honorable Gordon R. England, during a ceremony Monday at 5th Marine Regiment parade deck here.
"These brave Marines did good things without notice," said England, "and without the acclaim of crowds. But they got the acclaim of their fellow Marines." Martinez, 22, a Las Cruces, N.M., native, received the naval service's second highest award for extraordinary heroism while serving as first fire team leader for 2nd squad, 1st Platoon, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom April 12, 2003. The Medal of Honor is the highest military award.
A corporal at the time, Martinez responded to a call to reinforce 1st Platoon, which was under attack by enemy forces. Under fire, Martinez deployed his team in supporting positions for a squad assault.
He assumed control after his squad leader was wounded. While other Marines tended to the wounded squad leader, Martinez single-handedly assaulted the building and killed four enemy soldiers with a grenade and his rifle.
"All of the training is what helped me out," said Martinez. "I relied on my training."
In effect since April 1917, and established by an Act of Congress on Feb. 4, 1919, the Navy Cross may be awarded to any person who, while serving with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguishes himself/herself in action by extraordinary heroism not justifying an award of the Medal of Honor.
The action must take place under one of three circumstances: while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
To earn a Navy Cross the act to be commended must be performed in the presence of great danger or at great personal risk and must be performed in such a manner as to render the individual highly conspicuous among others of equal grade, rate, experience, or position of responsibility.
More than 6,000 Navy Crosses have been awarded since World War I.
TOPICS: War on Terror
KEYWORDS: hero; heroism; navycross; usmc
One of three Navy Crosses awarded for IRAQI FREEDOM by the USMC so far. Check out Keyword "Navy Cross" for stories on other heroes of the sea services during the War on Terrorism.
To: A Simple Soldier
I hope his Senators and Congressman don't ignore him because they're too busy wringing their hands over the terrorist POWs being forced to wear women's undies.
2
posted on
05/11/2004 1:29:17 PM PDT
by
bayourod
(Was Kerry one of the 17 Congressmen to whom Lawson sent torture pictures in March?)
To: A Simple Soldier
On an earlier thread last week,about another Navy Cross award, this one was to a Marine Lt...we were discussing, if, in today's world, it is possible to win the CMH other than posthmously. I think not. Therefore, the citations for these Navy Crosses should be viewed in that light, they may well represent actions and deeds that woudl merit the nation's highest award..
3
posted on
05/11/2004 1:30:34 PM PDT
by
ken5050
(Ann Coulter needs to have children ASAP to propagate her genes.....any volunteers?)
To: A Simple Soldier
Semper Fi and Thank You Sgt. Martinez!
4
posted on
05/11/2004 1:35:23 PM PDT
by
AngryJawa
(Thank You Troops!)
To: A Simple Soldier
Semper Fi Devil Dogs!
Bump from an old crusty former Navy Senior Chief.
5
posted on
05/11/2004 1:53:13 PM PDT
by
GaltMeister
(This is not my tagline. My family has it. The tagline belongs to my family.)
To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Ping. You got the other two guys from 29 Palms.
To: A Simple Soldier; SandRat; MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; TEXOKIE; Alamo-Girl; windchime; ...
A find thread, A Simple Soldier. Thanks for the ping. (^:
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Las Cruces, N.M., native, Marine Corps Sgt. Marcos A. Martinez (Left), 22, received the Navy Cross May 3, 2004. He received the medal from The Secretary of the Navy, Honorable Gordon England, during an awards ceremony held on Camp Pendleton. Martinez is currently assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, out of Camp Pendleton. He was the first fire team leader for 2nd squad, 1st Platoon, Golf Company, 2/5. Photo by: Cpl. Jeremy M. Vought
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Las Cruces, N.M., native, Marine Corps Sgt. Marcos A. Martinez, 22, received the Navy Cross May 3, 2004. He received the medal from The Secretary of the Navy, Honorable Gordon England, during an awards ceremony held on Camp Pendleton. Martinez is currently assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, out of Camp Pendleton. He was the first fire team leader for 2nd squad, 1st Platoon, Golf Company, 2/5. Photo by: Cpl. Luis R. Agostini
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| ~* Sgt. Marcos A. Martinez *~ |
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Thank you !
~ 
~
To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Sgt.Martinez, hero and protector of my country! I am grateful for your service.
8
posted on
05/12/2004 5:11:12 PM PDT
by
MEG33
(John Kerry's been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security!)
To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Don't be surprised if this gets upgraded to a MOH (Medal of Honor).
9
posted on
05/12/2004 5:26:45 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Marine Corps Bump
10
posted on
05/12/2004 6:13:12 PM PDT
by
SAMWolf
(SOME DAYS IT'S JUST NOT WORTH GNAWING THROUGH THE STRAPS.)
To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Bump!
To: SandRat
Do ya have a link to specifics of his actions ??? Awesome news !
Stay safe !
12
posted on
05/12/2004 9:56:20 PM PDT
by
Squantos
(Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.)
To: Squantos
13
posted on
05/13/2004 5:20:53 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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Rochester, N.Y. Marine, receives Navy Cross ~ Capt. Brian R. Chontosh