NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- A Bronze Star with Combat V was awarded to a team leader with Reconnaissance and Surveillance platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, on Oct. 7 for his actions taken in Zaidon, Iraq, Feb. 14, 2006.
Staff Sgt. Joshua S. Negron was awarded for the bravery and courage he displayed while aiding and saving the life of an Iraqi interpreter attached to his team during an intense firefight with enemy combatants.
“It is very awkward to be called a hero; I just happened to be there at the right moment,” says Negron.
At the time, Negron was a reconnaissance Marine with Charlie Company, 1st Recon Battalion. His team patrolled the area to gather information from locals concerning an increase in known enemy improvised explosive device activity.
The Marines were ambushed from the rear in the southwest part of the village, Negron said.
When he turned around, he immediately saw his teammates as they ducked past the line of fire and ran to safety. Negron ensured his Marines found cover before he returned fire and ran for protection himself.
A round ricocheted off Negron’s helmet as he fired in the direction of the insurgents when he heard a yell.
Mike, Negron’s native Iraqi interpreter, called out to him for help. Negron looked over to him, immediately noticed blood seeping through Mike’s pants, ran to his side and began first-aid.
The rest of the platoon moved in to reinforce and drive the surrounded enemy combatants away, Negron explained.
Negron’s actions enabled them to complete their mission and finish with all of his comrade’s lives, according to the citation.
“I just did my job. Anyone else on my team would have done the same thing if standing in my place,” Negron concluded.