Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Brian M. Blonder, of Deer Beach, Fla., received the Navy Cross from Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus during a May 10 ceremony at the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington, Va., for valor he demonstrated during a daylong firefight in Shewan, Afghanistan, on Aug. 8, 2008. The citation showed that Blonder, was serving as a platoon sergeant with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, at the time. The unit anticipated a fight, knowing that Taliban insurgents controlled Shewan. The enemy attacked three hours into the platoon’s mission, to rid the area of insurgents who were planting roadside bombs. Under Blonder’s leadership, his 30-man platoon killed at least 50 insurgents during the ensuing three-hour firefight.