Copeland, First Recon, awarded Navy Cross

Sgt. Willie L. Copeland III was awarded the Navy Cross for heroic action after the fifteen vehicle convoy he was riding was ambushed by terrorist thugs April 7th, 2004. The initial incoming fire wounded his platoon CO, Captain Brent L. Morel. Morel later died of his injuries. Copeland charged the ambush with five Marines to over run the estimated 40 to 60 thug ambush team. "Everyone in that platoon was heavily engaged," said Col. Rory E. Talkington, who recommended the award for Copeland. "The fact that Sgt. Copeland was not hit was just miraculous."

Sergeant's gutsy push nets Navy Cross