The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Christian A. Brown, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Squad Leader, 1st Squad, 2d Platoon, Weapons Company, First Battalion, Sixth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, SECOND Marine Division (Forward), II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), Afghanistan on 7 December 2011 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. While conducting a contact patrol in Azan, Kajaki District, the squad came under intense fire from multiple hardened insurgent positions of a numerically superior force. Lance Corporal Brown immediately directed fire onto the insurgents, coordinated with an adjacent unit, established a base of fire, and assisted in the development of a plan to maneuver on the insurgent positions. With insurgent fire intensifying, Lance Corporal Brown decided to displace the machine gunner and designated marksman. During their movement, the marksman was hit in the head from a burst of insurgent fire and critically wounded. Lance Corporal Brown immediately radioed in the medical evacuation request and led his squad under fire to a hasty landing zone. With the helicopter taking fire and unable to land, he identified an alternate landing zone 400 meters away and coordinated with the medical helicopter to extract the urgent casualty. After establishing a support by fire position, he personally carried the casualty under heavy fire the final 300 meters to the alternate landing zone. Without regard for his own safety, he safely evacuated the casualty, consolidated his squad, and responded to the insurgent attack until the fire ceased. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Lance Corporal Brown reflected great credit upon him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.