The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” (Army Award) to Corporal Jason T. Oakes, United States Marine Corps, for heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against Anti-Afghan Forces as a Mentor, Embedded Training Team 5-3, Regional Corps Advisory Command-Central, 201st Corps, Afghan National Army, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 13 July 2008. Embedded with two other Marines in an Afghan National Army platoon manning Vehicle Patrol Base WANAT alongside a reinforced U.S. Army platoon, Corporal Oakes and the Coalition Forces came under an intense coordinated predawn attack from an estimated 200 Anti-Afghan Forces. Braving heavy fire from the attackers, Corporal Oakes assisted another Marine in recovering a seriously wounded Afghan National Army soldier lying in the open 35 meters from their position. When the U.S. Army squad manning an observation post was in danger of being overrun after suffering heavy casualties, he volunteered to accompany a fellow Marine in carrying an M240B machinegun and ammunition across 130 meters of fire-swept ground to repel the attack on the besieged squad. Effectively employing the M240B machinegun, an M249 squad automatic weapon and an M4 rifle, he ignored shrapnel wounds in his arm from a grenade as he continued to engage the attackers until reinforcements arrived. By his exemplary courage, keen spirit and dedication to duty, Corporal Oakes reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. (The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.)