Marine receives Silver Star in Okinawa - Marine Corps News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Marine Corps Times

Marine receives Silver Star in Okinawa

A corporal with 4th Marine Regiment has been awarded the Silver Star for his part in fending off a July 13 attack by about 200 insurgents on a small U.S. outpost in eastern Afghanistan, media reports said.

Cpl. Jason Jones received the medal — the third highest for valor — in a ceremony April 2 at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. He and a fellow Marine sprinted through enemy fire with machine guns and ammunition to repel the attack, which killed nine U.S. paratroopers with 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry, of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, at Vehicle Patrol Base Wanat.

Media reports said Jones, who was deployed with Embedded Training Team 5th Battalion, 3rd Marines, also sprinted 35 yards through enemy fire in a separate action during the battle to rescue a seriously wounded Afghan soldier.

The attack was launched just before midnight July 12 with the support of some local police and government leaders, as well as villagers. Twenty-seven U.S. troops were wounded and at least 21 insurgents were killed.

Eleven soldiers involved in the battle also have received Silver Stars. Another 17 received Bronze Star Medals with V device and 25 received Army Commendation Medals with V device.