Gunnery Sgt. Brian C. Jacklin received the Navy Cross medal – the nation’s second-highest honor for valor in combat – during an April 9 ceremony at Camp Pendleton, Calif. According to the citation and official records, Jacklin directed a counterattack against enemy attackers during a 2012 village-stability operations mission in Afghanistan’s Helmand province. He moved into action after enemy fire struck and wounded his team leader and another fellow Marine. After establishing communications with a nearby unit, directing fire against the enemy, and coordinating casualty evacuation, Jacklin led his team to a secure landing zone. From there, he coordinated fire until aircraft could land and evacuate the wounded Marines. Even though his team was relieved by another special operations unit, Jacklin remained behind for another day and took part in a fierce continuing fight. He was attached to the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command, at the time.