Marine to receive medal for bravery in Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Brady Gustafson is set today to receive the Navy Cross for bravery at a ceremony at the Marine base at Twentynine Palms.

Gustafson, 22, from Eagan, Minn., is credited with saving Marine lives by continuing to fire at the enemy during an insurgent ambush in Afghanistan in July, despite being seriously wounded. He lost the lower part of his right leg and now walks with a prosthetic.

A turret gunner, Gustafson helped his colleagues escape the "kill zone" and refused to be evacuated until Marines were out of danger.

Bleeding profusely, Gustafson "braved the effects of shock and reloaded his weapon twice, firing more than 400 rounds before he allowed himself to be pulled from the turret to receive medical treatment," according to the citation signed by Navy Secretary Donald Winter.

The Navy Cross is second only to the Medal of Honor for combat bravery by Marines and sailors. Gustafson was part of the 2nd battalion, 7th regiment, which suffered 20 killed in action and dozens of wounded during a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan.