Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    7th Marines, 3d Brigade Combat Team

    Division:

    2d Marine Division, II MEF

    Action Date:

    November 1, 2005

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Jeremy L. Stagner, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Casualty Evacuation Driver, Company L, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, 2d Brigade Combat Team, SECOND Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 1 November 2005. While he was cordoning an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), Corporal Stagner witnessed an explosion caused by a second IED that destroyed an Explosive Ordnance Disposal vehicle. Almost immediately, he saw a Marine emerge from the vehicle covered in flames, and obviously in extreme pain. Completely disoriented, the Marine attempted to put the flames out by flailing his arms wildly. As his attempts progressively failed, he began to run in circles, and cut sharply in different directions, trying to create enough wind force to extinguish the fire. Without hesitation, while he was under enemy small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire, Corporal Stagner grabbed a fire extinguisher, ran 40 meters over open terrain to the burning Marine, and extinguished the fire. Despite secondary explosions from hand grenades and C-4 in the vehicle, as well as continued exposure to enemy fire, he moved the Marine to the casualty evacuation vehicle. Corporal Stagner then located a corpsman and, exposing himself to the enemy a third time, provided suppressive fire to cover the corpsman’s sprint to the casualty. His heroic actions were instrumental in preventing the loss of additional lives. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Corporal Stagner reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.