Maryville, Tenn., native and U.S. Marine Cpl. Neill A. Sevelius, pictured here in Husaybah, Iraq, was awarded the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat “V” for valor during a ceremony at Camp Al Asad, Iraq, Feb. 18, 2006. The combat videographer and 2003 Maryville High School graduate received the award from Regimental Combat Team-2 Commanding Officer Col. Stephen Davis for aiding a wounded Marine during combat operations in Husaybah, Iraq, last November. The Combat “V” device is awarded specifically for heroic actions in combat. Sevelius, who recently redeployed back to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., after a 12-month deployment in Iraq, was filming combat operations with a platoon of Marines on top of a building. After ordered to leave the building due to enemy activity, the 21-year-old Sevelius noticed one of the Marines had been shot in the leg and needed assistance. Without a moment’s hesitation, Sevelius put down his camera and leapt to the adjoining rooftop to come to his aid while the rest of the platoon provided cover fire. His actions are accredited for helping to save the wounded Marine’s life. “Marines do great stuff every day, I just happened to get noticed,” said Sevelius.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Shane S. Keller