Those were the words of Navy Secretary Ray Mabus as he posthumously awarded the Navy Cross to Lance Cpl. Donald J. Hogan today at Camp Pendleton. The Associated Press reports Mabus presented Hogan's parents, Jim and Carla Hogan, with the Navy Cross - the highest honor a Marine can receive.
The 20-year-old Hogan had been assigned to Pendleton's 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment when he was deployed to Afghanistan.
According to the AP, Hogan was on patrol in Helmand province on August 26, 2009 when he performed the heroic deeds that cost him his life:
The Los Angeles Times reports the Navy Cross ceremony took place in front of a barracks that's been named in honor of Lance Cpl. Hogan.
