Navy Cross awarded to Sgt. Matthew Abbate

[JPL]

The award was for Abbate's actions Oct. 14, 2010, when his unit was ambushed by Taliban fighters while on patrol in the Sangin district of Helmand province, long a Taliban stronghold. Abbate, who was 26, was a sniper with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. During the attack, Abbate "took charge of the situation and with total disregard for his own life sprinted forward through the unswept minefield to draw fire and rally the dazed survivors," according to the Navy Cross citation. Abbate led a counterattack, helped evacuate the wounded and swept a helicopter landing zone for buried explosives. He survived the attack but was killed Dec. 2, 2010, in combat.

Read the complete news story here: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/08/navy-cross-awarded-to-camp-pendleton-marine-killed-in-combat.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lanowblog+(L.A.+Now)

Jean-Paul

[Paul R]

May the Sergeant rest in peace...

[speagle]

When God sent His angels to bring you home, He had His reasons. Someday we will be able to ask why, but for now, we offer prayers of peace and comfort to those left behind. RIP Brother