MARINE OF THE WEEK:

GySgt. Tim Tardif
2nd Battalion, 5th Marines
Iraq, April 12, 2003
Award: Silver Star

During the Battle of At Tarmiyah in Iraq, then-Cpl. Tardif and his squad reinforced a U.S. Marine Corps platoon pinned down in a violent enemy crossfire ambush. Immediately assessing the situation, Tardif directed Marines to return fire into enemy positions in a town. He identified the location of the enemy and determined the precise point to assault them. Tardif charged across a road under intense small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire, inspiring his Marines to follow his example. Engaged in an intense close-quarters battle, he received significant shrapnel wounds from an enemy grenade. Refusing to be evacuated and disregarding his wounds, Tardif gallantly led his squad in an assault on an enemy-held compound. After securing the compound, Tardif received an order to egress and he led his reinforced squad in a fighting withdrawal. After moving 150 meters, Tardif collapsed from his wounds, unable to continue fighting. Tardif recovered from his wounds and was promoted up through the ranks to Gunnery Sgt. Give ’em one! (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew Bragg)

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