Pendleton Marine awarded Silver Star
UNION-TRIBUNE BREAKING NEWS TEAM
12:27 p.m. November 29, 2005

CAMP PENDLETON – A Marine sergeant who rescued his platoon commander from a burning vehicle during a firefight with Iraqi insurgents last year is to receive the Silver Star Wednesday in a ceremony at Camp Pendleton Marine Base.

Gunnery Sergeant Ismael Sagredo was a staff sergeant on April 13, 2004 when his platoon attacked insurgents, who set one their armored amphibious vehicles afire deep within insurgent-held territory.

Sagredo led his Marines to a nearby house, then went back to evacuate his platoon leader.

But that was only the beginning, according to the Department of the Navy's official citation.

Ignoring small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades, Sagredo repeatedly moved from one position to another until he could make radio contact with reinforcements and direct them to his location, all while keeping his fellow Marines calm as their ammunition ran low.

After the quick reaction force arrived, Sagredo continued to expose himself to fire until the damaged "amtrak" had been retrieved, the platoon commander had been evacuated and the rest of his Marines had been moved to safety.

Sagredo is a member of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, which took part in the fighting in and around Fallujah last year. The unit has fought in some of the fiercest battles in Marine Corps history, dating back to World War I and including recent fighting in Fallujah, Iraq.

Ellie