Recon Marine Awarded Navy Cross

Photo by Sgt. Michael S. Cifuentes 

On May 10, 2011 Gunnery Sgt. Brian M. Blonder was awarded the Navy Cross during a ceremony at the Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington, VA. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus presented the award and described Blonder as "one of the most selfless and disciplined Marines" he has ever met.

In a 2008 firefight in Shewan, Afghanistan, Blonder shot and killed an insurgent who was attempting to fire a rocket-propelled grenade at his Marines. The firefight lasted all day, with Taliban outnumbering the Marines approximately eight to one. At the end of the fight, over 50 Taliban were dead and the rest retreated, and the Marines took control of a crucial supply route through Shewan.

Blonder was a platoon sergeant for Force Reconnaissance Platoon attached to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. Read More...