Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    25th Marines

    Division:

    2d Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)

    Action Date:

    May 25 – July 28, 2005

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Jeff Hunter, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Squad Leader, Second Platoon, Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2, SECOND Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, from 25 May to 28 July 2005. During Operation NEW MARKET, Corporal Hunter’s platoon was ambushed with small arms fire, seriously wounding one Marine. In his initial attempt to breach the house containing the insurgent ambush, Corporal Hunter’s squad leader was severely wounded. On his own initiative and without regard for his safety, he immediately re-entered the house engaging four insurgents with his M16A4 rifle at a range of ten feet and pulled his squad leader to safety. Then acting as squad leader, he reorganized his Marines and led them into the insurgent position for the third time, ultimately securing the house with close range small arms fire and hand grenades which resulted in one enemy neutralized and three captured. Corporal Hunter’s actions enabled his company to regain its momentum. On 28 July, after an enemy small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire attack on an adjacent squad, Corporal Hunter, on his own initiative, maneuvered his squad forward to assist. He shot two enemies and made two unsuccessful assaults in the face of enemy AK-47 fire to retrieve a wounded Marine. Corporal Hunter then ran across a fire-swept street to link up with a M1A1 tank, guided its fire, and directed it to breach the building. This action neutralized one insurgent and allowed the extraction of a mortally wounded Marine. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Corporal Hunter reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.