Mankato Marine to be awarded Silver Star

Associated Press

November 11, 2008

MANKATO, Minn. - A 32-year-old Marine from Mankato will be awarded the Silver Star for helping save the lives of wounded Marines during a battle in Iraq.

Gunnery Sgt. Robert W. Homer will receive the award at a ceremony in January to be held in California.

Navy Secretary Donald Winter says in a letter that Homer's platoon was battling insurgents on Nov. 16, 2005, when he pulled three wounded Marines from the fight.

Winter says "without regard for his own safety," Homer then rescued another wounded Marine and provided first aid to a fifth that was severely wounded in the kill zone.

Homer's father, Bill, says his son is stationed at Camp Pendleton in California.

The Silver Star is the third-highest military award a member of the U.S. armed forces can receive.

Ellie