Staff Sgt. Daniel W. Ridgeway, a team leader with a Marine explosive-ordnance disposal unit, received the Silver Star medal during an April 30 ceremony at Camp Lejeune, N.C., for heroism he displayed while serving in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. According to the medal citation, Ridgeway crawled on his hands and knees and cleared a 130-foot path to reach a comrade who had been injured by an improvised explosive device. Upon reaching the man, Ridgeway provided first aid and continued to clear a landing zone for medevac aircraft. Ultimately, Ridgeway disarmed five explosive devices – while his unit was taking enemy fire. "What he did for the Marine Corps and his fellow Marine was absolutely selfless," said Maj. Gen. Michael G. Dana, the assistant deputy commandant for logistics at Headquarters Marine Corps.
