The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Cody R. Goebel, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Machine Gun Team Leader, First Platoon, Company L, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, Regimental Combat Team TWO, FIRST Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) Afghanistan, on 22 November 2010 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. While in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province, Lance Corporal Goebel was manning a security position on Observation Post 25 in the southern Green Zone of Sangin District when he was struck in the neck by enemy small arms fire. Knocked to the ground and severely wounded at his post, he quickly picked himself up, remounted his machine gun, and engaged the enemy’s firing position with full knowledge that his position was critical to his squad’s defense. For seven minutes, he ignored his life threatening wounds and delivered devastating machine gun fire on the enemy’s position, all while refusing medical attention until he was properly relieved. Finally, but only after a fellow squad member had manned his machine gun, Lance Corporal Goebel moved 25 meters under his own power and under heavy fire across the observation post’s roof and down a 20-foot ladder to the casualty collection point. Upon reaching the ground, he collapsed due to the loss of blood and had to be carried to a helicopter landing zone for subsequent medical evacuation. His courage, heroism, and dedication to duty after sustaining a life threatening injury resulted in the successful blocking of an enemy attack and six enemy fighters killed. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Lance Corporal Goebel reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.