Gunnery Sgt. Brian C. Jacklin, critical skills operator with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, will be awarded the Navy Cross — a recognition approved by the Secretary of the Navy and the branch’s second-highest distinction of valor after the Medal of Honor — at a ceremony at Camp Pendleton in California on April 9 for his heroic actions while deployed in Afghanistan in 2012.

Originally from Los Angeles, California, Jacklin was “second in command of a team conducting village stability operations in the volatile Upper Gereshk Valley of Helmand Province” when he demonstrated the otherworldly courage that earned him the rare honor.

Here are the details of exactly what he did from the U.S. Marine Corps:

The enemy suddenly poured heavy fire into the team’s position, and his team leader and another Marine each suffered life-threatening gunshot wounds.

 

Without hesitation, Jacklin seized control of the situation and orchestrated a counterattack. He personally established an alternate means of communication with a nearby supporting unit and began prosecuting direct, indirect, and aviation fires on the enemy, while simultaneously coordinating evacuation of the casualties. He courageously led his team out of their compound and through open terrain in order to secure a landing zone. Jacklin remained in the open, raining M203 grenades on the enemy and directing the fires of his team, until the aircraft could land and evacuate the wounded. When his team was relieved in place by another special operations unit, Jacklin voluntarily remained behind, and throughout a raging battle all the next day, he provided vital intelligence, tactical assistance, and deadly accurate personal fires. By his decisive actions, bold initiative, and complete dedication to duty, Jacklin reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.