Free Republic

U.S. Army Ranger Sgt. Martin A. Lugo Jr. led his squad through a fierce firefight with the Taliban in Logar province, Afghanistan, almost 18 months ago. His team killed 14 enemy fighters on Aug. 19, 2010, in a clash that left the 24-year-old Tucson native mortally wounded. Lugo's heroics were remembered Friday when he was awarded the Silver Star. The medal was presented to his father, Martin Lugo Sr., at a ceremony in Savannah, Ga. The Silver Star is the nation's third-highest award. He also has been posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Purple Heart. Awards...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (May 2, 2006) -- The family of the fallen Marine, Cpl. Pablo V. Mayorga, of 2nd Tank Battalion, entered the funeral home with tears filling their eyes as they said their final goodbyes to their father, husband, son, brother and friend. Paola Mayorga, Pablo’s widow, was presented with the Purple Heart for the wounds that took her husband’s life. The posthumous award along with a memorial honoring the life of Mayorga brought family and friends together to share memories of the past and lay to rest a beloved friend. “His life was a celebration...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Dec. 2, 2005) -- “ He led from the front,” said 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment Bn. commander Lt. Col. Craig S. Kaczynski during Capt. Patrick M. Rapicault’s Silver Star ceremony Dec. 2. Rapicault assumed command of Weapons Company, 2nd Bn. 5th Marines during his deployment to Iraq while they were in contact with the enemy on 24 September 2004. As company commander, Rapicault led his Marines through 50 firefights and 27 improvised explosive device ambushes between the time he took command of the unit and until he was killed Nov. 15, 2004. For...