Navy Federal Credit Union

Jordan Haerter grew up in the small village of Sag Harbor, New York. Killed in Action in Iraq during the firefight that earned him the Navy Cross, he was Sag Harbor’s first battlefield loss since World War II. The fellow Marine referenced in his citation was Corporal Jonathan Yale, who was also Killed in Action and who was also posthumously awarded the Navy Cross in the same ceremony. The North Haven-Sag Harbor Bridge was renamed in honor of Jordan Haerter.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Lance Corporal

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1

    Division:

    II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)

    Action Date:

    April 22, 2008

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Jordan C. Haerter, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Rifleman, 3d Platoon, Weapons Company, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 22 April 2008. While Lance Corporal Haerter and a fellow Marine manned a sentry post at the Entry Control Point (ECP) for Joint Security Station Nasser in Ramadi, Iraq, a tank truck suddenly began to rapidly negotiate the serpentine concrete obstacles leading to the ECP. Lance Corporal Haerter and his fellow Marine quickly recognized the threat of a suicide bomber driving a truck capable of carrying a large quantity of explosives and posing a major threat to the more than 50 Marines and Iraqi policemen in the Joint Security Station. Lance Corporal Haerter immediately engaged the truck with precise fire from his M4 rifle, while his fellow Marine opened fire with his M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. Ignoring the grave personal risk, Lance Corporal Haerter and his fellow Marine continued their accurate fires, stopping the truck a few feet from their positions. At that instant the suicide bomber detonated approximately 2,000 pounds of explosives contained in the truck, leveling the ECP and mortally wounding Lance Corporal Haerter. The courageous actions of Lance Corporal Haerter in resolutely defending his post against an imminent threat undoubtedly helped save the lives of more than 50 Marines and Iraqi policemen at Joint Security Station Nasser that day. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, courageous actions and total devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Haerter reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.