A special operations Marine will receive the Marine Corps' second-highest combat medal during a ceremony Thursday at Camp Pendleton.
Gunnery Sgt. Brian Jacklin, 32, of the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion will receive the Navy Cross for his heroic actions carried out on June 14, 2012, in Afghanistan.
Jacklin, a Los Angeles native, and his team were conducting village stability operations in the volatile Upper Gereshk Valley of Helmand Province when they came under heavy enemy fire. His team leader and another Marine each suffered life-threatening gunshot wounds.
“He personally established an alternate means of communication with a nearby supporting unit and began prosecuting direct, indirect, and aviation fires on the enemy, while simultaneously coordinating evacuation of the casualties,” Marine Corps officials said.
Then he led his team out of the compound and through open terrain to secure a landing zone.
“By his decisive actions, bold initiative, and complete dedication to duty, Jacklin reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service,” Marine officials said.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Osterman, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, will present the award.
Jacklin will become the eighth special operations Marine to be awarded the Navy Cross in the command’s nine-year history.
Also during the ceremony, five critical skills operators will be awarded the Bronze Star Medal: They are Gunnery Sgt. William C. Simpson IV, Staff Sgt. Christopher Buckminster, Staff Sgt. Hafeez B. Hussein, Sgt. William P. Hall and Sgt. David E. Harris.
Marine officials said the five “boldly displayed their courage and gallantry during the same engagement as Jacklin.”
